How to Get Rid of Damp in the Bedroom

Your bedroom is supposed to be a sanctuary; a place where you can sit back and relax after a long day and clear your mind of all of its troubles. For many people, their bedroom is a haven of soft furnishings, ambient lighting and pure décor. What it’s not is a place for damp. The musty smell and dilapidated look of black mould and wet walls in the bedroom is anything but relaxing – but it doesn’t need to be something you lose sleep over.

What is Black Mould in the Bedroom?

Black mould is a tell-tale symptom of condensation. Whilst this isn’t necessarily good news, it could be worse.

What Causes Black Mould in Bedrooms?

Condensation is caused by a lack of ventilation. When water vapour is released, be it from a shower, cooker or tumble dryer, it needs a place to escape so that the moisture can dissipate. If the vapour has nowhere to go, it will form water droplets which will cling to windows, walls and ceilings.

Is Black Mould Harmful?

Black mould can be detrimental to your health. The spores can cause issues with your sinuses and may contribute to breathing problems, including severe diagnoses like bronchitis. If you have asthma, the black mould can trigger it and aggravate your symptoms further.

In addition to causing breathing problems and respiratory issues, black mould can also have an adverse effect on your skin. People who suffer from eczema should be particularly wary, as it can exasperate the condition.

Not only this; dust mites are particularly drawn to damp environments, and that means if you have black mould, you’ll likely have an increased number of dust mites. This doesn’t bode well for people with asthma or eczema as it can make the problems worse.

How to Stop Black Mould in the Bedroom

There are a number of ways you can prevent condensation and, consequently, black mould from wreaking havoc in your bedroom. The first way is to ensure that you regularly open windows and vents, especially in winter when the heating is likely to be on a lot more. If you can, move furniture away from the radiator so that the heat doesn’t get trapped as this can cause condensation and black mould on walls in a bedroom. Relocating furniture against colder external walls is a very good tactic if the room size and layout permits you to do so.

If you live on one level (i.e. in a bungalow, flat, maisonette or in a studio flat), it might be a good idea to buy a dehumidifier to absorb excess moisture in a compact space. A humidistat fan is a good option as it will monitor the level of air moisture and remove excess moisture as and when it detects it – therefore eradicating the problem at its source. Garratt’s Damp & Timber can help with diagnosis and fan installations. Call 0208 535 7536 to find out more.

How to Get Rid of Black Mould in the Bedroom

If you do find you have an issue with condensation, it can be rectified somewhat easily. If it’s a lifestyle issue that’s causing black mould (i.e. you don’t open windows or you cook/wash/dry clothes in a confined space), changing your behaviour could solve the issue fairly quickly. Making sure you open windows and vents for at least one hour every day and more so when you’re cooking, drying clothes or showering should help. Installing an extractor fan if you don’t already have one in the kitchen and the bathroom is also a good way to remove excess water vapour from the air.

What are Wet Walls in the Bedroom?

There are a few reasons why you might have wet walls in your bedroom. If you have an en-suite or if your bedroom wall doubles up as a bathroom wall, you will want to check that there isn’t a leaky pipe. If there’s no faulty bathroom pipe or bad guttering, rising damp could well be the culprit.

What Causes Wet Walls?

Typically, if a home is suffering from rising damp, the issue is to do with the level of groundwater surrounding the home. For this reason, single storey homes or rooms on the lower floor are more likely to be affected. Usually, a compromised DPC (Damp Proof Course) is the leading cause, but homes that are located near a body of water – like the sea – are more susceptible.

How to Stop Wet Walls

Wet walls typically have a direct cause – and it’s usually to do with the bones of your house. Before you buy a property, it’s worth checking the state of the DPC and the quality of the guttering/rendering. If you notice a broken gutter or cracked rendering, it’s essential that you call in the professionals to fix the problem immediately, otherwise, it will get progressively worse. The same goes for leaky pipes.

How to Get Rid of Wet Walls in the Bedroom 

The only way to get rid of wet walls is to call in a professional tradesperson to assess and rectify the issue. Whether it’s a plumber or Garratt’s Damp & Timber, wet walls are a sign of a serious issue that can’t always be remedied with a DIY tutorial.

Find Out More

We’re here to help if your home is suffering from damp. Whether you’re wondering how to get rid of damp in the bedroom, basement, or if you have timber issues, our damp specialists can help. We offer no-obligation site surveys and quotes to London residents, and we have experience with both old and new houses. To find out more, please call us on 0208 535 7536 or contact us.