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If you speak to anyone who’s lived in a student house, along with the parties, days spent in front of the TV and endless takeaways, you may also hear grumbles about damp. Unfortunately, damp and mould is an extremely common problem in student properties, and although you don’t technically own the house, it’s your responsibility as a tenant to let your landlord know as soon as an issue arises. If not, you may end up footing the bill for remedial work at the end of the year. To minimise the risk of this happening, we’ve put together a few top tips for keeping damp at bay:
Don’t block off air vents
Hopefully, your landlord will have installed vents in your house to reduce the risk of mould problems developing. Make sure you keep these areas clear and allow them to ventilate freely. Also, try not to push your furniture right up against the walls.
Open your windows when possible
Allowing fresh air to flow through your house is key to stopping damp and mould from forming. Try to leave your windows open in the summer, as long as it’s safe, and in winter, keep your bathroom and kitchen windows open when possible.
Alert your landlord to leaks
As soon as you notice a leak in your home, you should let your landlord know so they can deal with it as soon as possible. Puddles of water or leaking taps will simply increase condensation and therefore increase the chance of damp.
Hang your washing outside
If you have an outside space, try to make the most of it by hanging your washing outside when it’s dry weather. If you do need to hang washing indoors, try to keep it in the damper rooms of your home, i.e. the bathroom and kitchen.
Make use of your pan lids
Cooking can produce a surprising amount of moisture in your kitchen. Steam from boiling pasta, vegetables and whatever else will condense onto your ceilings and walls, risking damp forming. Remember to keep pan lids on and never let them boil dry. Also, keep the spout of your kettle away from the wall.
Close your kitchen and bathroom doors
As the dampest rooms in your house, bathrooms and kitchens are hotspots for mould. Make use of the extractor fans and ventilation systems, and keep the doors closed as much as possible so that the moist air doesn’t spread to drier areas.
Don’t scrimp on heating during the winter
Whilst every student has to save their pennies, using your heating system throughout the winter could actually save you a hefty deposit deduction when you leave in the summer. Keep the heat at a low, constant level- this will reduce the amount of moisture that forms on the walls and ceilings.
If you’re a student or student landlord based in North Yorkshire, look no further than North Yorkshire Remedials for all of your damp proofing solutions. From dry rot treatment to plastering, our range of services doesn’t just stop at damp proofing. So, to ensure your property is safe and clean to live in, get in touch with us today.
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