Damp and Mould

We want to ensure you have a safe, well looked after and energy efficient home that is free from damp and mould.

We take damp and mould very seriously. If it is left unreported or untreated, it can get worse and cause health problems as well as damage to the building, decoration, furnishings and your belongings.

We fully investigate every damp and mould report we receive and work with you to identify the cause and how it can be resolved.

We're here to help, so please don't hesitate if you think you've found any damp or mould in your home and report it to us as soon as possible by:

• calling us on freephone 0800 0287428
• emailing dampandmould@railwayha.co.uk

If the cause is obvious, such as a leaking pipe, we will arrange for it to be repaired.

If the cause is not obvious, we will visit your home to investigate further and decide what needs to be done to solve it.

We may need to arrange for an independent specialist to come to your home to carry out a survey. If this is the case, we will keep you uo to date, telling you what the specialist has found, their recommendations to deal with the problem and what we plan to do.

In some cases, it can take time to find out what is causing the problem and to fix it, but we will do our best to tell you what's happening while we find out the problem and the solution.

What is condensation?

Condensation is caused when moisture in the air meets a cold surface. It is usually seen on window panes, wall tiles, mirrors, porcelain toilet bowls and cisterns. It does not usually leave a ‘tide mark’ on walls that other causes of damp can do. It can happen at any time of the year but happens more in the colder months.

To reduce condensation, homes need to be kept warm and ventilated. Many homes have loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, double glazing and more energy efficient gas or electric heating to help keep them warm, as well as extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms. There's more work to be carried out on some homes and we'll keep residents updated on our progress.

If you are struggling to afford to heat your home, or if there are any problems with your home that may be causing condensation, please contact us as soon as possible so we can help.

Actions that help reduce condensation include:

• Covering pans when you are cooking
• Closing kitchen and bathroom doors when cooking or bathing
• Running the cold water into a bath first, this can reduce steam by 90%
• Drying your clothes outside if possible, or in a well-ventilated room
• Not hanging wet clothes on radiators
• Venting your tumble drier to the outside if it is not self-condensing
• Opening a couple of windows to get a through draught for about an hour a day
• Opening windows or switching on extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom when you are using them
• Keeping air vents unblocked
• Keeping window trickle vents open
• Not overpacking your wardrobe
• Leaving space between furniture and walls, so air can flow freely through these spaces
• Wiping any water that accumulates on window sills and other surfaces

If you would like any further advice or you'd like to see a full copy of our policy on damp and mould, please just call us on 0800 028 7428 or email info@railwayha.co.uk