Contact

Repairs and Maintenance

 If you need to report a repair to us, you can now do so directly by emailing

Repairs.ESH@scambs.gov.uk and one of our repairs team will be happy to help.

 

Keeping safe in your home - a video from Corgi 

 

Damp, Mould & Condensation

Below is some useful information to help you prevent condensation, damp & mould in your property. If the problem persists, please report it to us immediately.

 

Preventing condensation

There is always some moisture in the air, even if you cannot see it.

When moist air hits a cold surface, it cannot hold it and tiny droplets of water will form on that surface (you can see this when the mirror mists up after a bath). This is condensation, which:

• occurs mainly during cold weather
• appears on cold surfaces and
• in places where there is little movement and circulation of air

Condensation is common in a few specific areas in a home. Look out for condensation and mould:

• in room corners
• on or near windows
• in or behind wardrobes and cupboards
• in rarely used rooms

Condensation can lead to mould, which can lead to respiratory problems, such as asthma, and worsen existing respiratory problems.

 

Reducing condensation in your home

 Produce less moisture

More moisture in the air makes it easier for it to escape by forming condensation. Keep moisture low, and:

• cover pans when cooking to prevent steam from escaping
• dry washing outdoors whenever possible, or over the bath with the door closed and the window open
• vent any tumble dryers outside, or consider buying a self-condensing type.
• Keep doors closed when having a bath or shower to prevent moisture reaching other rooms.

Did you know? Drying clothes in an un-vented tumble dryer produces a massive 10 pints of moisture. A bath can create 2 pints of moisture.

 

Ventilate your home

Ventilation improves the movement of air and circulation in your home, making it more difficult for condensation to form. Improve your home's ventilation by:

• keeping a small window ajar, or a trickle ventilator open
• ventilating your kitchen and bathroom when in use by opening windows or using a humidistat-controlled electric fan - these automatically start when the air becomes moist, and are cheap to run
• ventilating cupboards and wardrobes, and positioning them (and other furniture) against internal walls where possible

 

Insulate and draught proofing

Condensation forms in cold spots. We are currently undergoing a survey of all our properties loft and cavity wall insulation to ensure they are up to standard; our contractors will be in touch with each tenant directly to arrange an appointment. 

 

Heating more efficiently 

Try to keep rooms in your home heated equally - it is better to heat your whole home to a lower temperature, rather than heat one room to a high temperature.

A difference in temperature in your home can cause condensation to form in the colder rooms.  A spare bedroom might not normally be heated because it's not in regular use; condensation will be more likely to form in this room, because of the lack of heat.

 

Treating Mould

If you take care to prevent condensation forming in your home, mould should not appear. However, if it does, the mould can be killed and removed by wiping down the walls and window frames with a fungicidal wash.

When using a fungicidal wash, take care to follow its instructions precisely. Avoid disturbing mould by brushing or vacuum cleaning it, as this can increase the risk of respiratory problems.

After treatment, redecorate using a good quality fungicidal paint. This will help prevent mould occurring there in the future. This paint will not be effective if it is not overlaid with wallpaper.

 

Still having issues?

If you are an Ermine Street Housing tenant and have followed all of the above steps, but are still having issues with damp or mould, it is important that you report it to us.

You can also send photos of the affected area to Repairs.ESH@scambs.gov.uk. These can then be assessed to determine whether a contractor needs to come out to inspect the problem.

 

Contact Details

Repairs.ESH@scambs.gov.uk

01954 713 099