Damp, Mould and Condensation

Reporting damp, mould and condensation - what happens next?

1	Acknowledgment: We will let you know that we’ve received your report of damp and mould within 1 working day.
2	Investigation: We will visit you home to inspect and investigate the cause of the problem within 10 working days of you reporting the issue to us. Where we have concerns about the health and safety of your household, we will carry out the inspection within 48 hours. We will let you know in advance, when we will be visiting your home. We will let you know what work is needed to resolve the issue and discuss ways to prevent the problem re-occurring.
3	Carrying out repairs: We will start any work that is needed to sort out the problem to your home within 5 working days of the inspection taking place if the hazard is a significant risk to health or safety. For emergency repairs we will start the work within 24 hours. Where the damp is severe and/or it is affecting the health of you or your household, it may, with your agreement be necessary to move you to alternative accommodation whilst the works are completed.
4	Completing repair works: We will complete the work within a reasonable timescale and keep you updated about progress. and timescales.
5	Inspecting the work: We will check that the work is complete and that your happy with everything within 7 working days of the work being completed.   We will inspect your home within 6 weeks after the remedial work has been carried out to ensure the issue has been fixed and the damp and mould has not reappeared. If it has reappeared, we will carry out further investigations.
6	Re-occurrence of Damp and Mould: If you notice any re-occurrence of damp and mould prior to our 6-week check, please contact the Customer Service team to have your case re-investigated.
7	Follow up checks: We will contact you between three and six months after the repair work has been completed to check that everything is ok.

There is always some moisture in the air even if you cannot see it.

Everyday activities add extra moisture to the air inside your home. You may notice that there is condensation on your windows first thing in the morning, this is because one person breathing adds half a pint of moisture to the air over night. 

Condensation occurs when warm moist air hits cold surfaces .  

Condensation can cause mould to form on walls and furniture and furnishings and even on clothes and other fabrics. Wooden windows can become rotten due excessive condensation. 

All homes contain mould spores which are completely harmless, however in the right conditions they will grow resulting in black mould. It can usually be found on and next to windows and in the corners and edges of rooms, inside wardrobes and cupboards especially if they are next to an external wall. 

What to do if mould forms 

• Wipe the mould off small amounts of mould immediately with water. Do not use washing up liquid, or bleach
• Use a fungicidal cleaner or other recommended product that is available from shops or decorating outlets to clean small amounts of mould from walls, ceilings and paintwork and make sure you follow the instructions
• Wash or dry clean mouldy clothes and shampoo carpets

If the problem continues please contact us Reporting a Repair | Watmos and we will arrange for a surveyor to visit your home. 

Condensation can occur in any home. You can take steps to prevent it. 

Control excess moisture  

• Open kitchen and bathroom windows when cooking or washing so that steam can escape, or use an extractor fan if you have one fitted   
• Open some windows in other rooms for a while each day to allow a change of air. Windows generally have a first latch which will allow the window to be open very slightly and still be secure. Air circulation is a great way to remove excess moisture from your home and the best time to do this is in the morning when the humidity will probably be at its highest and condensation may be on the windows glass which is a sign that humidity is high
• Open the trickle vents, usually located usually at the top of the windows that allow fresh air to trickle into your home allowing air movement, they either slide to the left or the right or can be pulled down to open 
• Wipe down surfaces where moisture settles to prevent mould forming for example windows and sills in the morning and the bathroom following a bath or shower. Don’t dry the cloth on a radiator
• Don’t block airbricks or window vents
• Try to leave a space between furniture and the wall to allow air to circulate, where possible do not position large items of furniture tight against internal walls and open wardrobe and cupboard doors to let air circulate, avoid hanging damp clothes up in the wardrobes

Produce less moisture   

• Dry clothes outdoors whenever possible, otherwise use well-ventilated rooms such as in the bathroom with the door closed and window open slightly. Avoid drying clothes on the radiator. Always use an extractor fan if you have one   
• Cover pans when cooking   
• When running a bath run the cold water first to reduce excess steam and keep the bathroom door closed   
• Vent any tumble driers to the outside

Keep your house warm   

• Take steps to prevent heat loss for example fitting draught excluder to doors and windows and underlay underneath carpets   
• Maintain low background heat throughout your home at around 16 to 17c. This doesn’t necessarily cost more, turning the heating fully on when coming home at the end of the day takes longer to warm the walls than leaving the heating on low all day, this could introduce a dewpoint that could produce moisture that can turn into mould at a later stage