I’m a window fitter – I know the key to avoiding mould in your home
KEEPING the windows open is an excellent way to stop mould and condensation from taking over your home.
But the cold and rainy winter months mean that this simply isn’t possible and homeowners may begin to worry more about mould.
If mould builds up, it could cause an issue with your health so it’s important to keep an eye on it.
If left untreated, mould can pose a risk to vulnerable Brits with existing health problems like eczema or asthma.
The key to avoiding it is having a well-ventilated home, and thankfully, in most cases, you won’t even need to open the window.
Opening the trickle vent in your window frames is a good way to make sure your home is ventilated without letting heat escape.
Sean Mac Anbhaird, managing director at Core Sash Windows, said: “A well-insulated window paired with adequate ventilation will help regulate temperature difference between the indoors and outdoors by expelling humidity and replacing it with drier outdoor air.
“This is where trickle vents are crucial.
“They create a small opening above a window that acts as controlled ventilation, allowing continuous air circulation to expel condensation.
“While trickle vents can be closed to prevent heat loss, the intention should be to continually keep them open to control humidity levels and prevent the build-up of moisture, which is a main cause of mould growth.
“So, even during the colder months, you should still periodically open your trickle vents to let air through.”
As of June 2022, building regulations call for improved ventilation to help improve the air quality within the home, in order to reduce moisture and damp.
It means modern windows typically have trickle vents to help ensure there is regular airflow in a property.
If you live in an older property, and you don’t have trickle vents, don’t worry, because they can still be added to your windows.
Sean said: “Installing a trickle vent into existing windows means drilling into the window frame, so you’re much better off contacting a professional to install one for you or risk a costlier job of replacing your windows.”
The average cost of installing a new window is around £90, according to Checkatrade.
While this is pretty pricey, it could be worthwhile as a means of preventing mould from forming in your home.
How can I avoid mould in my home?
We tested out some top hacks for tackling mould to see how effective they are.
Dehumidifiers are a good idea to keep by windows to prevent condensation from collecting – shoppers have even spotted one that costs £50 from Argos.
And they don’t cost much to run either – according to experts at Uswitch, dehumidifiers normally use 185W – so they usually cost about 6p an hour to run.
There’s also the trick of placing salt in a bowl and hoping it catches mould – our reporter Harriet Cooke said it worked quite well.
And, costing £1.70 for 500g from Tesco, salt isn’t too expensive to buy either.
You can read a full list of mould prevention hacks and our verdict in our test.
What are your rights if there’s mould in your rental property?
If you’re renting your home, the government has set out clear rules for any landlord to follow.
Here are a few things to remember if you think your house isn’t up to scratch:
You can’t be charged admin costs or renewal fees
Estate agents and landlords are banned from charging tenants extra fees to cover administration costs, such as removing mould.
You may be entitled to a payout if your landlord refuses to carry out repairs
Your landlord is responsible for most of the repairs that need to be carried out on your home.
According to housing charity Shelter, these include fixing issues with the electrical wiring, gas pipes and boilers, heating and hot water, sinks, baths and toilets.
And RSH has confirmed landlords are responsible for dampness and mould too.
Tenants are responsible for repairing their own furnishings, such as a fridge or freezer if the property is let unfurnished.
You may be entitled to compensation from your landlord if they fail to carry out repair work within a reasonable time, or if your house is unfit to live in due to poor conditions.
This may be in the form of a rent reduction or a payout.
If your landlord agrees to this, Shelter advises you to get it in writing.
If your landlord won’t agree, renters can take legal action to claim compensation either during the tenancy or after it ends.
Renters can sue landlords over damp and mould
Renters in England and Wales can take their landlords to court over problems including cold and damp homes.
Landlords must already make sure that your home is fit to live in under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act and tenants can sue for compensation if their home isn’t up to scratch.