Nine times out of ten, damp and mould in a bedroom is down to one thing – too much moisture (usually because the room isn’t well enough ventilated), plus cold surfaces combining. This is something that will be visible, for instance, as black spots in the corners, mould behind furniture or water inside your windows during the mornings. It is also much easier and cheaper to prevent damp before it becomes an issue.
1) Keep moisture under control
Bedrooms generate moisture through some of the most passive and therefore difficult to control processes, as you spend a large proportion of your time in bed breathing out water vapour. Throw in some washing, drying inside, or an en-suite bathroom and humidity levels jump.
Whenever possible, dry laundry outside the bedroom. Do not leave wet towels unattended in the room.
If you have an en-suite, turn the extractor fan on during showers and leave it running for a few minutes after.
2) Ventilate the right way – little and often
It will prevent the humid air from hanging around if it has been vented out.
Crack a window for 5 to 10 minutes each morning (even in the winter) to flush out that damp air.
If your windows have them, leave trickle vents open.
Do not stop the air: leave a small gap under the door, and do not isolate too much.
In some homes, a humidistat-controlled extractor (e.g. near bathroom) or positive input ventilation (PIV) can improve the situation when condensation is persistent.
3) Warm the room consistently
Mould loves cold surfaces. Bedroom warming and cooling, swinging from the warm to the cold, is more likely to produce condensation. Consider gentle background warmth, not a sudden blast.
If appropriate, upgrade insulation in the loft and walls to keep surfaces warmer.
4) Improve airflow behind furniture
One of the most common mould hot spots to find is behind wardrobes and large headboards on external walls. For advice on Bespoke Fitted Wardrobes, visit https://lamco-design.co.uk/bespoke-fitted-wardrobes/
Furniture should not be placed tight to external walls without a sizeable air cavity.
Never cram a wardrobe against an exterior wall, as air needs to circulate.
5) Deal with leaks fast
For example, leaking gutters. If you notice water stains that grow larger following rain or paint is peeling, it may not be condensation.
Look for leaky gutters, cracked roof tiles and pointing or defective window seals.
Fix plumbing leaks promptly.
When to get help
After improving ventilation and heating, if the mould continues to come back, it is worth getting this room checked by a professional. Whether the issue is condensation, a leak or some other damp problem will determine what sort of treatment you require.