The Silent Menace:160,000 Homes in England Afflicted by Damp and Mould, Warns Regulator

The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has recently found that between 120,000 and 160,000 UK homes are victims of dampness and mould. The survey also found that this percentage of homes, out of the current four million UK abodes, also suffered from other category three hazards in some cases, which are common health side effects of more living conditions.

The report in further detail shows that as many as 80,000 of those homes have category two mould, and 8,000 suffer from the most serious of conditions, also known as hazard one. The worst-case scenarios are known to cause immediate effects on health, with conditions such as asthma, toxin poisoning and fungal conditions amongst the most common.

There is no hiding from the UK-wide housing crisis, with renters and owners struggling to afford home payments. Unfortunately, this does mean that issues such as dampness are left to continue worsening as, for many, the budgets are not attainable to resolve the problem. However, the solutions don’t have to be astronomically priced, as ventilation experts i-sells prove with their broad collection of at-home products.

Dampness and mould are not just unsightly but also a hazard to both individuals’ health and the condition of a home.

Common health conditions include allergies, breathing conditions and even skin irritations caused by the spores found within the mould. These can also linger on within the home even after patches are treated unless the area is properly ventilated. Damage to the home can also be costly, with dampness affecting the internal materials within walls and ceilings, leading to the overall weakening of a property’s structure. Whether the health or home conditions affect you the most, both are likely to cost in many ways, with the worst-case options being irreparable.

The RSH has recently contacted all social landlords to bring this message to the forefront of priorities, as some of the worst-located properties were under council and housing association ownership. Organisations with more than 1,000 homes have been asked to provide evidence of managing the issue, while those with fewer than 1,000 properties must liaise with the RSH on immediate resolution measures.

How are health conditions categorised?

The report covers all three levels of hazards, which is how officials measure the seriousness of how dampness affects a building and its residents.

Hazard one is the most serious, which relates to the conditions created due to prolonged dampness. This could be anything from increased health conditions to ongoing allergy irritants. Immediate action should be taken for resolution at this stage.

The next levels represent a correlated risk factor, with the lower categories being more serious. However, all show living conditions unsuitable for human or pet health.

Is there a viable resolution to the issue of damp and mould?

I-sells, an online company based in Kent, are making it their mission to educate landlords and homeowners on the various methods that can be used to end this dangerous situation. As trends indicate, the issue will increase over the coming years if action is not taken now due to lower budgets and increasing numbers of people in each home.

Ventilation fans are one of the most effective methods of keeping damp, and in turn, mould levels are reduced as water does not have a chance to settle. They also work to keep the air clean and fresh, which offers much-needed relief to those who suffer from breathing conditions. The most popular options are bathroom extractor fans and kitchen ventilation units, as these treat the two rooms most likely to become victims of dampness. These work by efficiently removing moisture from the air, even if an open window is unavailable for additional airflow.

I-sells also provide other ventilation products, such as commercial units and roof fans. One of their most effective products, which allows an entire property to be ventilated with just one solution, is their positive pressure ventilation units. Positive input ventilation is a method of ventilating via a single unit that draws in fresh external air, filters and introduces it into the property using a diffuser. This forces old, damp air to be removed and reduces condensation. A popular choice by landlords and homeowners, they require little maintenance and stop widespread dampness instantly.

With so many products on offer, it is hoped that people across the country will take the issue of dampness and mould seriously as a bit of investment now could save years of health or housing issues. These units can also be fitted with complete ease and offer an immediate solution to these watery woes.