In the winter months, damp is a more pertinent topic than at any other time of year.
These colder spells can create the perfect conditions for damp to thrive. Although it’s usually the warmest part of the house in the summer, during the winter, a conservatory can be particularly prone to damp.
If unaddressed – and preventative measures are not taken – this can quickly develop into a far more disruptive and costly issue.
So, to help you avoid damp build up in your conservatory, and ensure this structure achieves its full predicted lifespan, we’ve shared our top damp prevention tips below.
Why is it so important to prevent damp?
Although it can be easy to neglect damp prevention, or push it to the bottom of your to do list, damp is a serious issue, and can quickly escalate to a disruptive, costly problem.
Damp prevention is an imperative part of conservatory maintenance, because it can:
- Cause irreversible damage to paint, plaster and wallpaper
- Cause wood rot, particularly in timber floors
- Create ugly dark mould stains and growths
- Permanently damage your soft furnishings, curtains, carpets and even books
- Lead to health implications, including respiratory issues, allergic reactions, and even compromised immune systems
- Reduce the value of your property
- Lead to extensive and time-consuming repairs
- Emit musty, unpleasant smells
- Become more difficult to address over time
What are the best methods to prevent damp in a conservatory?
It’s important to note that the rate and risk of damp development are different for every conservatory. These risks are dependent on the specific ways people use the space, and how frequently they use it during the winter.
With this in mind, the most effective ways to minimise the risk of damp in your conservatory are:
- Keep the space well ventilated. You should aim to air the space (e.g. by opening a window) at least once a day.
- Ensure there is sufficient air flow, particularly when you are using the conservatory. You can do this by opening windows and doors while you are in the room.
- Check that your air vents aren’t blocked or obstructed (e.g. by curtains).
- Keep humidity levels as low as possible. For example, avoid drying clothes in your conservatory, as this can rapidly increase humidity in the room.
- Try to maintain an ambient temperature in the room (within reason). It is best if the temperature is allowed to sit at a low constant (rather than fluctuating throughout the day). But, you will need to balance this against heating costs, and this approach may not be affordable for everyone. If you don’t want to invest in heating, you could instead install thermal curtains, to help you keep the temperature more consistent.
- Draught proof your windows and doors, to reduce the amount of cold air entering the room.
- During the winter months a dehumidifier can be used to control humidity within the space. This can be a mobile unit that you can use in the winter and pack away and store in the Summer months when not required.
- If you do spot any signs of damp, speak to a damp proofing specialist as soon as possible (more on this below).
If you spot signs of damp in your conservatory, then you will need to enlist a specialist to help treat the issue.
At British Damp Proofing, we are damp prevention specialists, with over 50 years of experience. With 98% of our customers saying that they would recommend us, you can be certain that our team will provide you with comprehensive, dependable and long-term prevention against damp.
So, if you’re concerned about damp levels in your conservatory, contact British Damp Proofing for professional advice and thorough treatment.