I've Never Had Mould or Damp in My House in 40 Years — The Old British Trick My Mum Swore By, by Grandma's Timeless Secrets on YouTube. 14 min 52 s.
- Video length
- 14 min 52 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes a day
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Wipe condensation off bedroom windows each morning with a dry cloth or squeegee. Wring the cloth into a sink or outside so the water leaves the room.
Run the bathroom extractor fan during showers and for 10 to 15 minutes afterwards. Keep the bathroom door closed so steam does not spread into bedrooms.
Cover pans when cooking and switch on the cooker hood. If you have no hood, open a window briefly to let steam escape.
Dry washing outdoors or in a well-ventilated room with a dehumidifier. Avoid hanging wet clothes in a closed bedroom.
Pull wardrobes and furniture a few centimetres away from cold walls. Check behind them for damp patches or a musty smell.
Put a humidity meter in the room and aim for 40 to 60 percent relative humidity. Run a dehumidifier when readings stay high.
Open windows briefly each day to swap moist air for fresh air. Do not rely on an open window to fix a wet patch on a wall.
Check pipes, gutters, roof tiles and window seals for leaks. Fix the source before you clean or repaint mould marks.
Tips and common mistakes
Bowls of salt, rice or bicarbonate do not replace ventilation or a dehumidifier.
Cold surfaces attract condensation, so better glazing or insulation helps over time.
If mould keeps returning or covers a large area, ask a qualified damp surveyor to check it.
A damp home is not a sign of poor housekeeping, so treat it as a maintenance job.
Questions
Why are my bedroom windows wet every morning?
Warm moist air inside meets cold glass and condenses. It is usually a ventilation and moisture problem rather than a leak.
Does opening a window stop mould?
It helps clear moist air, but it will not fix a leak, a blocked gutter or a cold bridge in a wall.
How do I know if I have a leak rather than condensation?
Damp patches that spread, tide marks or a musty smell near a wall or ceiling point to water getting in. Ask a qualified tradesperson to check.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
