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The start of the year always brings colder weather. With many parts of Manchester set to wake up to snow and freezing temperatures over the next few weeks we’re looking at one of the most common issues many renters face when the temperature drops: damp and mould.
Damp and mould are common issues which thrive during colder, wetter climates. Not only does it cause damage to a property, but it can also have serious health effects for those who live there.
With people spending more time in their homes than ever before due to the Covid-19 pandemic, preventing mould and damp is not only important for your health but also for helping to keep a clean and neat home for your overall wellbeing.
When it comes to raising damp and mould issues with landlords it can be tricky. Unless your property had damp and mould issues before your tenancy, landlords may well be inclined to blame damp and mould on the current tenant’s lifestyle.
Luckily, there’s plenty of advice available to help prevent damp and mould in the home before it becomes a bigger issue.
A quick online search will provide many solutions for renters to help prevent damp or mould, however, many of the tips available aren’t exactly tailored to winter living or to renters in apartments.
So, here are the most common areas in your home which will attract damp and mould and how you can help to prevent it..
Bathrooms are one of the worst places for damp and mould to gather – especially in city centre apartments where it is commonplace for a bathroom not to have a window.
Obviously, it is not practical for doors to be left open when the bathroom is being used for a bath or shower; but it is important to make sure the door is left ajar or open after bathing to ensure any steam can be ventilated out, to prevent it settling on your walls
Like the bathroom, the kitchen is also at risk of damp and mould due to the number of appliances which produce a lot of steam such as cooking on the hob, boiling a kettle or using a dishwasher.
However, small steps can be taken to minimise the damage caused: Always use your extractor fan whilst cooking on a hob and remember to frequently wipe down underneath your higher kitchen cabinets as your kettle or coffee machine is likely to be positioned underneath them.
One of the first tips that is always suggested to prevent damp and mould is to leave your windows open to allow fresh air to ventilate, but during the colder months this is obviously quite impractical.
However, windows and windowsills are one of the worst offenders when it comes to damp and mould in properties due to the condensation that gathers on windows in colder temperatures.
The best way to prevent mould and damp near your windows is to get into the habit of wiping away any condensation on your windows and sills with a dry cloth each morning.
Another top tip which is often suggested for renters is to dry your clothes outside.
Manchester isn’t exactly known for its dry weather during the summertime, so winter isn’t going to leave you with many sunny days to dry your clothes outside either – not to mention that most city centre properties are apartments.
While most flats will come with a washer and dryer, many people opt not to use their dryer to be more environmentally friendly and save on energy bills. Maidens are a choice for many renters, but you guessed it, drying clothes indoors can cause damp and mould.
Moisture from your wet clothes can settle onto walls and other nooks and crannies making it an ideal surface for mould to grow.
When you’re drying your clothes, it’s important to have your maiden set up in a well-ventilated room – preferably with windows, however if not, make sure your doors are open throughout your property so air can ventilate – as well as preventing mould and damp, this will also help your clothes dry quicker too!
If your property already has mould issues, there are plenty of affordable sprays and solutions available online to treat different surfaces such as silicon seals in bathrooms and wall plaster yourself. Of course, like any home improvement, it is always important to check with your landlord first before you treat this yourself.
While seemingly a daunting issue at first, these prevention tips should help ensure that your home remains a clean and safe-haven free from damp and mould this winter.
Posted by Simon on May 26th, 2010
Posted by Simon on November 8th, 2012
