Dealing With Damp - A Check List

Some of the signs of damp:
1. Patches on the wall
2. Peeling wallpaper or paint
3. Musty smell
4. Black mould
5. Clothes in wardrobes appear to have mildew

Dealing with damp:

First and foremost - FIND THE CAUSE. If the patch is on an outside wall the usual culprit is either the roof or the gutters so check both. Something as simple as replacing a slipped slate will save you money in the future. Gutters should be cleaned out annually - and it needn't cost you a lot to have it done. Ask your window cleaner. Check that the gutters and downpipes drain correctly.

If it's under a window check around the frame for any broken or missing brickwork/ flashing.
The cause of damp patches on interior walls and ceilings can, most of the time, be traced to leaking shower trays, toilets or baths. You may have to get a plumber out to check if you don't feel confident enough to tackle the job yourself.

Once the cause is fixed you may have to wait for the patch to dry out to deal with it. You can do a small repair job or redecorate!

Clean the area behind the wallpaper and treat with 'dampseal' then reattach the wallpaper. For painted surfaces clean and apply 'damp seal' or any paint that will seal the area and allow for repainting.
If you've caught the interior leak in time you may get away without the need for re-plastering and just treat with 'damp seal' and repaint. If you need to re-plaster treat it as any new plaster.

The musty smell, once the cause is dealt with, should eventually disappear by ventilating and warming the room. In the meantime you could try Kontrol products that contain the scent of lavender. These products will help reduce the damage done to clothes in a cold wardrobe that is up against a north facing outside wall. Also good for cupboards etc. We have had experience of this in a house that is supposed to have cavity wall insulation and it only happens in one corner of the room so if you have cavity insulation, and this happens, it may mean getting it checked too.

It is vital you deal with black mould, as many people are susceptible to the spores, causing breathing and chest problems. First of all VENTILATION, this also goes for condensation as well. Open a window. Fit an air brick or extractor fan. Get the air moving in the room and check to see if you can warm the room a little better. Low and steady may be better than hot in bursts. It does sound crazy to suggest opening a window and increasing the heat but it's not necessarily at the same time!

Clean away the mould with diluted bleach or any product suitable for the task and throw away any cloths etc used. Allow to dry then keep your eye on the area to see if it returns. Retreat when/if necessary.

So remember:
FIND THE CAUSE AND FIX
VENTILATE
CHECK YOUR INSULATION

Ladderlimb - And the Dragon's Dismissed It!

Morten Hardware have started stocking the ingenious device for those working up ladders - the Ladderlimb. It's such a simple idea, fitting in the side of the rungs on aluminium ladders so it can be used on either side. Remember the times you have been up the ladder with a paint can or a bucket and had to hold on to the ladder with just one hand? With this clever accessory you just hook on the paint can or bucket - or anything else you need to use such as a tool bag - which leaves your hands free for safer working. Watch this YouTube video and see how practical and useful the LadderLimb is.
This is definitely one the Dragon's let slip through their fingers.