Leaks, pipes and damp

Beat condensation

Follow these tips to cut condensation and drive out damp and mould.

Some ordinary daily activities produce a lot of moisture very quickly. So:

cover pans and don't leave kettles boiling
don't use paraffin or portable bottle gas heaters
dry washing outdoors. If it's raining, put it in the bathroom with the door closed and the window open, or the fan on
if you have a tumble dryer put the outlet pipe through an outside wall, not out of a window

You can ventilate your home without making draughts. So:

keep a small window ajar, or open a window-ventilator if you have one, when someone is in the room
open kitchen and bathroom windows to let steam out - use the extractor fan if you have one
close kitchen and bathroom doors when the rooms are in use, even if you have an extractor fan, to stop moisture reaching other rooms
don't put too many things in wardrobes and cupboards - it stops the air circulating
if you replace your windows, make sure they have ventilators
don't block ventilators or chimneys

Keep your home warm, and help cut fuel bills. When the whole home is warmer, condensation is less likely. So:

insulate your loft - but don't block the openings or under the eaves
in cold weather, keep the heating on low all day - even when there's no one at home
draught-proof windows and doors - but get rid of mould and condensation first. Don't draught-proof bathrooms, kitchens or rooms with a cooker or gas fire.
Find out more about energy efficiency