Damp patches can be a real blight on any home, but before you think about eliminating them, it’s important to try and figure out what is causing them in the first place. If the problem is severe however, don’t try to rectify the situation yourself as large amounts of damp can be very harmful to your health, seek professional help, instead.
Eliminating condensation:
In most homes where damp is a persistent problem, it will be caused by condensation. Locating the main cause of the condensation is therefore imperative, otherwise the problem will simply persist. 3 ways in which you should be able to reduce the condensation levels in your home can be seen below:
- Ventilate your home more often, allowing air to circulate
- Limit the amount of steam produced in your home, such as by covering cooking pots and drying laundry outside
- If the above mentioned tips don’t help and the problem persists, then a leaking pipe could be the cause
Choose an appropriate cleaning solution:
Mould can be removed without too much fuss and hard work, although naturally, the more you have of it, the longer it will take. Since mould contains spores that can be harmful to our health, a product such as bleach may be the safest way of eliminating the mould and ensuring that it’s killed off effectively. Do be careful when using products like bleach in confined spaces though, and always read the safety precautions listed on the bottle.
How to remove damp patches depending upon their location and size:
If your home is riddled with damp patches on the walls, in your bathroom and on your windows, you can begin by wiping down the area with a damp cloth. Next, take your bleach and spray or wipe it onto the mould, leaving it to soak in for a few minutes before washing the area thoroughly with water and using a soft cloth to help remove any stubborn bits. This process can be repeated for as long as the problem persists but be careful not to rub too hard on some areas, in case of causing permanent damage to the surface.
You’ll probably want to vacuum the surrounding area once you’ve finished removing the mould, and discard of any materials used to clean it.
Damp need not rule your home, and to help eliminate any damp patches that require more than a little elbow grease, it might be easier and less time consuming to use a professional cleaning service.
If you are treating damp patches yourself, always wear protective clothing and a mask, and look to eliminate, or at the very least limit the source of the damp, otherwise the problem may never go away.