On average most employees spend 7-10 hours each day at work, and nobody wants to work in a damp office. Knowing how to deal with damp at home and work is essential. Damp can cause mould on walls and furniture, rot in wood and health issues.

The NHS tell us: “If you have damp and mould in your home, you’re more likely to have respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies, or asthma. Damp and mould can also affect the immune system”.

What Is Damp and where does it come from?

Excess moisture in a building can result in damp which leads to mould. 

Some typical causes of dampness are:

Too much moisture: 

Routine activities like cooking, washing, showering, drying clothes and boiling the kettle moisture and even breathing all cause moisture. One person can add four pints of water to their environment through just these few simple activities in a single day. Due to double glazing and insulation which are trying to keep the heat in, it is very difficult for this humid air to leave.

Lack of ventilation:

Buildings with poor ventilation are more likely to experience condensation and mould growth. Warm, humid air can leave the house or office thanks to adequate airflow. However, if there is inadequate ventilation, this warm air will leave moisture on the coldest available surface, which is typically windows or exterior walls.

Poor heating: 

More moisture can be held by warm air than by cooler air. This implies that the amount of condensation you might experience depends on the temperature of the air in your home or office and the impermeable surfaces.

Leaking pipes:

Water leaks from pipes can create damp patches and lead to mould growth if not repaired quickly. Leaks can often go unnoticed, especially if they are within roof or wall cavities. Old corroded piping and their joints are prone to leaking at any time.

Roof damage:

Cracks, missing tiles, or damaged roofing materials allow rain to seep into the building, causing damp issues. Roof damage can be caused by general wear and tear, extreme weather conditions such as storms and heavy rain, falling debris like tree branches, poor maintenance, or improper installation.

Blocked gutters:

When gutters become clogged, water overflows and runs down exterior walls, leading to damp penetration inside. Leaves from trees are a very common cause of blockages. However, even if there are no trees nearby, gutters quickly become clogged with moss from the roof, and debris that birds drop into them.

Rising damp:

Moisture from the ground can seep upward through walls and floors if there is no effective damp-proof course (DPC) in place or if an existing DPC has deteriorated over time. This can lead to damp patches, peeling paint, crumbling plaster, and salt deposits on walls. Rising damp is particularly common in older buildings where the original damp-proofing may be ineffective or missing altogether.

The Most Common Places to Find Moisture

It is important to determine the source of excess moisture in your building if you have mould or damp. When you know what is producing the damp, you can fix it or take steps to reduce the moisture in the air. You might need to hire a professional to remove the mould, but if there’s only a tiny quantity, you might be able to do it yourself.

Here are some common places to look for condensation in your home and office:

1. Water build-up on windows horizontal frames, which if not controlled will develop into black mould.
2. In cabinets or behind large furniture positioned against an exterior or stair wall. Possibly seen as a powdery, black, or grey mould.
3. Around the skirting on first-floor walls, paper peeling away, paint bubbling, plaster falling off, or white tide stains.
4. On ceilings.
5. Under the roof and at the top of the walls.
6. Chimney breasts.

How can you prevent excess moisture build up?

If you regularly check your building for any dampness, you can easily put preventative measures in place to stop the dampness from turning into mould. Keep an eye out for indicators, such as dark spots on the ceiling or wall, dark areas on exterior walls, rot on exterior doors, and condensation or water at the base of windows. Early detection of damp can help you save money because there won’t be as much of a mess to clean up.

Here are a few steps you can take to prevent moisture and damp occurring in the future:

1. Moisture Traps: these will catch some of the excess moisture in the air
2. Remove condensation on windows regularly: wipe away with a paper towel regularly (you could put this on your cleaner’s job list) and get regular interior window cleans (Solutions Services can quote for these)
3. Install Double Glazing: Double glazing is constructed of 2 panes of glass trapping a layer of air in between acting as a buffer between the warm air inside and the cold air outside reducing condensation. Upgrading your windows to ones with vents will allow you to circulate air in your offices better.
4. Do regular building checks: Assign a member of staff to check the whole building regularly for any maintenance issues and signs of damp
5. Dehumidifier: If you find your building is struggling with humidity try purchasing an electric dehumidifier
6. Move furniture away from walls: let the air circulate behind them
7. Clean out gutters regularly: blocked gutters will overflow and water will run down the exterior of the building causing damp to seep through to internal walls. Solutions services can provide gutter cleaning services.
8. Boost ventilation: whilst we all want to trap in the heat it is very beneficial to open the windows for a while to allow damp air to leave and dry air to enter.

By following these steps, you’ll understand how to deal with damp at home and work effectively, creating a healthier and more comfortable environment.