Damp And Mould

[Cloverjo]

We’ve got a very bad problem with damp and mould in our house which has only just become noticeable. I’m sleeping in one of the rooms with the problem. My son’s room is worse, but he’s not here. Can it be dangerous to sleep in a room with mould growing so prolifically? It smells like a decaying mushroom factory in here.

[KARL]

TonyV, the lower the temperature indoors, the more ventilation is required (closer to dew point). Therefore heating not only helps but is also what people want for comfort. If you heat then in order not to get condensation on outer walls (colder surfaces) you need to insulate. Insulate generously and you not only avoid cold spots, you also achieve better heating with less localised draughts and additionally you save money. If you heat then you have to do so continuously and consistently, otherwise you have cold spots all over the place during the "upswing". Whatever you do, you need to have sufficient air change to meet the requirement for avoiding saturation. Higher indoor temperatures reduce the relative humidity and reduce the need to ventilate beyond what happens naturally, always assuming you ventilate to at least a minimal degree at these higher temperatures and don't overload the atmosphere with moisture (drying the laundry, boiling without extraction, showering without some ventilation, at least internally).