· By Diego Gómez
Why is my house so damp in winter? 7 common causes
Condensation, mould and musty smells every winter? The seven most common causes of damp in UK homes and what to do about each.
Most winter damp in British homes is condensation: moisture from everyday life that has nowhere to go and settles on the coldest surfaces. These are the usual culprits.
- Drying clothes indoors. A single load can release a couple of litres of water into the air.
- Cooking and showering without extractor fans.
- Not enough ventilation. Modern draught-proofing keeps heat in but traps moisture too. Open trickle vents and air rooms briefly every day.
- Cold rooms. Leaving some rooms unheated to save money makes their walls cold, and condensation settles there first.
- Furniture against outside walls. Wardrobes and sofas pushed against cold walls create pockets where mould grows.
- Breathing overnight in closed bedrooms.
- Actual building problems: leaks, broken gutters, rising or penetrating damp. These need repairs, not a dehumidifier. If you rent, see your rights.
What to do first
Measure the humidity with a hygrometer. If it's regularly above 60%, tackle the sources above and add a dehumidifier (or a desiccant model for cold rooms).
Recommended
Pro Breeze OmniDry 12L
- 12 L/day
- up to 15 m²
- 2 L
The best-selling dehumidifier on Amazon UK right now: 12 litres a day, automatic humidity sensor, laundry mode and a drain hose option.
EcoAir DD2 Simple (desiccant)
- 9 L/day
- 1 °C
- 3 L
A light desiccant dehumidifier that keeps working in cold, unheated rooms down to 1 °C, where compressor models struggle.
ThermoPro TP49 hygrometer (4-pack)
- temperature and humidity
- 4
- AAA
Cheap digital hygrometers with a comfort-level face.
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