Damp, mould and condensation

Risks to your health

Living with damp and mould can cause serious and long lasting heath issues, particularly to people with certain health conditions.

People most at risk from damp and mould

Those most at risk from damp and mould are:   

• people with a pre-existing health condition (for example allergies, asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, other lung diseases and cardiovascular disease)
• people who have a weakened immune system, such as people who have cancer or are undergoing chemotherapy, people who have had a transplant, or other people who are taking medications that suppress their immune system
• people living with a mental health condition
• pregnant women, their unborn babies and women who have recently given birth, who may have weakened immune systems
• children and young people whose organs are still developing and are therefore more likely to suffer from physical conditions such as respiratory problems
• children and young people who are at risk of worsening mental health
• older people
• people who are bedbound, housebound or have mobility problems making it more difficult for them to get out of a home with damp and mould and into fresh air

Common symptoms

Damp and mould can affect breathing and the airways.

Some of the more common symptoms caused are:

• cough
• wheeze
• shortness of breath
• infections
• worsening of asthma

Other non-respiratory health conditions, such as irritation of the eyes, eczema and fungal infections can also be caused by damp and mould.

Conden­­sation

It’s normal to find condensation, especially during the colder months. If left untreated it can lead to problems such as mould growth, staining of wallpaper and wall surfaces, and damage to window frames, furniture and clothing.

Tips to help reduce conden­­sation

• Try to keep your home between 18 and 21°C as this will reduce condensation from forming on cold surfaces. If you are struggling with your heating and energy bills, there is support available.
• Condensation in the home occurs when there is too much moisture in the air. Make sure vents and air bricks are not obstructed. If you are cooking or bathing open windows slightly to reduce steam, close the door and use extractor fans where possible.
• Dry washing outside where possible. If you need to dry clothes indoors, leave a window opened slightly and close the door.
  
• Open windows whilst bathing or cooking and leave them open for 20 minutes after (if safe to do so).
  
• Wipe down condensation from windows, walls and other surfaces like tiles. After bathing, wipe down shower doors and tiles to remove any moisture. 

Mould

Mould growth will form if condensation is not wiped down and removed. This is common in most homes. 

You can prevent it becoming a serious problem, or damaging your possessions, by wiping it down with a mould spray as soon as you notice it.

Watch this short video on how to help prevent mould in your home.

If the problem comes back, or if you are unable to remove it yourself, email our damp and mould team on dandmteam@leeds.gov.uk.

We can provide mould sprays free of charge. If you would like one, please contact your local housing team.

Other causes of damp

Condensation is not the only cause of damp, it can also come from:

• leaking water pipes, waste pipes and overflows
• rain penetrating gaps in the brickwork, roof, window frames, and around doors
• defects in guttering and pipes, faulty flashings, poor pointing and cracked rendering
• rising damp that can cause stained plaster, peeling wallpaper, rotten skirting boards and floors
  

If your home is damp for any of these reasons, the cause of the problem will need to be addressed by our repairs team. If the damp problems continue, please contact us as soon as possible.

We can assess cases of damp and mould to identify any health and safety issues and take appropriate action to deal with the problem.

You can report damp and mould issues by emailing dandmteam@leeds.gov.uk. Make sure to include:

• your name
• your address
• a contact number
• a brief description of the problem
• photographs of the problem

The team will assess your report and aim to call you back within 5 working days to agree next steps with you.

If you have a smart phone, we may request a video call with our team so we can fully understand the problems and deal with the issues quicker.

You should help to prevent and manage damp and mould in your home by following advice from Shelter on how to reduce damp and mould in your home.