Damp, Mould and Condensation
We know that mould and damp in your home aren't welcome.
On this page, you'll find some suggestions and advice to keep it at bay.
If the mould refuses to leave or you need further help, please contact Axis
Ventilation Systems
Ventilation is very important in our homes, it keeps the air fresh and healthy indoors.
Like our lungs, homes need to be able to breathe to make sure that fresh air comes in and dirty air goes out. Air indoors can build up high levels of water (moisture), smells (odours), gases, dust, and other air pollutants. To keep the air safe indoors, fresh outdoor air is needed to dilute these indoor pollutants. Too much moisture in the home can lead to condensation and mould.
There are things we can all do to make sure fresh air comes in our homes and circulates around all rooms. A well ventilated home reduces condensation and mould.
Did You Know...The average family produces approximately 27 pints of moisture per day.
Condensation and Mould
In Britain, condensation in houses is a problem particularly where warm moist air is generated in areas like kitchens and bathrooms or by drying clothes over radiators. The moisture in the air gets left on surfaces in colder parts of the house resulting in water running down the windows leading to black mould on walls, ceilings and in cupboards.
How To Lower Levels of Air Moisture
The Right Heating
Air is like a sponge, the warmer it is, the more moisture it will hold.
The Right Insulation
Makes sure there's no cold surfaces for moisture to condense onto.
The Right Ventilation
Removes any extra moisture held in the warm air and brings in fresh air, giving you better indoor air quality.
Traditional intermittent extract fans provide peaks of airflow, this means we are warming indoor air and then extracting it to outside, which is not energy efficient.
Instead, having extractor fans which run all the time in bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms will work with the natural air flow in your home. This means you will always have fresh air which stops germs multiplying and spreading, giving you a healthy home without the heat loss associated with intermittent fans.
The Right Information
The video from Axis may help with reducing, or dealing with, mould and condensation within your property.
Vent Axia Ventilation System
Our surveyors are going out to reported cases of damp and mould at the moment and, where we're finding homes that would benefit from a new ventilation system, we're installing a Vent Axia Lo-Carbon Revive.
What Is It and Why Is It There?
The Vent-Axia Lo-Carbon Revive™ has been made to meet all the requirements of the Building Regulations for bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms and toilets. It is meant to run all the time, which will keep your home fresh, healthy and free from condensation.
What Does It Do?
The fan is designed to run all the time at a very low rate and boost when needed. The low running rate means it's really very quiet.
How Will It Help?
It will stop the build up of moisture in the house, take away steam and odours during cooking and prevent black mould forming on the walls, behind cupboards and other places.
It will also help stop the dampness that you can get in your cupboards and wardrobes, on your clothes and furnishings, caused by not having enough ventilation.
Do I Need To Do Anything With It?
Not really; the fan is has been made so that dirt doesn't stay on it. However, it might need a clean every now and then, perhaps every month or so. To clean the unit carefully wipe the front panel /grille with a damp cloth until clean.
That's it!
DO NOT switch off the fan
The fan is set to run continuously 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What About Running Costs?
The good news is the energy efficient Lo-Carbon motor means both a long life for your fan and low running costs.
This means that, even though it is running continuously, you won’t see a large electricity bill. It costs about the same price as running an electric light bulb*.
* Based on one Revive 7 in the kitchen and one in the bathroom running for 23 hours on trickle and 1 hour on boost. Example for illustration purposes only. Individual households may vary.