I’m an interior expert – my five-minute trick with a kitchen staple can remove damp from your walls
WITH freezing temperatures looming and snow set to blast Scotland this weekend, homeowners might have to deal with dampness and condensation in the coming days.
It is a common problem in households across the country – especially during the winter months – but it can be very frustrating to get rid of.
Not only can it cause damage to your walls, but it can also be dangerous to our health if left untreated.
This is because dampness can actually lead to certain types of mould to develop in the home.
One thing that can cause dampness to form is condensation, which is water droplets that form when moist air comes into contact with a cold surface.
It’s commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms after cooking or showering. However, other factors can also cause it to appear, for example, it can form on windows after the heating has been on.
If it is left to sit on surfaces for too long, it will cause damp and mould.
Luckily, one expert has shared their top tips on how to remove dampness from your walls and how to stop it from coming back.
This trick is especially useful if the damp has extended below the surface
Lucy Steele
Paint and interiors pro Lucy Steele, from Valspar Paint, revealed her easy, five-minute trick to get rid of it for good using a kitchen staple.
She said: “How you fix the damp depends on the cause of the problem.
“If you think there’s a problem with your exterior wall, roof or you have rising damp, call a specialist who will help identify the cause and fix the problem.
“However, if it’s something you can tackle at home, try using white vinegar for areas of mould found on porous surfaces.
“This trick is especially useful if the damp has extended below the surface.
“The vinegar will penetrate to kill the mould and mildew at the root, preventing it from regrowing.”
Lucy also told how we can safely paint over dampness to help stop it from spreading.
She added: “When painting over a damp patch, you should always use a specialist paint.
“Paints designed for damp often have properties that treat the problem as well and stop it from coming back.
“They also let moisture escape meaning there won’t be a build-up of damp. So if you’ve fixed the root cause, using a specially formulated damp paint should put a stop to the problem for good.
How to avoid damp in the future
LUCY has also shared her top tips on how to avoid dampness coming back in the future of you manage to get rid of it.
And she explains that it all comes down to making sure there is sufficient airflow in the home.
“Repairing leaks and also managing ventilation of your home, to get rid of condensation inside windows, for example, is key to preventing black mould from growing.
“Keep problem areas like bathrooms, kitchens, or laundry rooms heated.
“This will help to reduce the chances of mould growth simply because mould has an ideal temperature and moisture range in which to live and thrive.”
“Damp stains can be difficult to paint over but specialist paints should make this job easy.
“Our damp seal permanently seals and blocks damp stains from spreading, so it won’t ruin your topcoat.
“Some damp paints let you paint it directly straight onto the damp patch whereas others might need a dry surface to adhere to.
“You should also check that the paint you’re using lets you add another layer of emulsion on top.
“Some paints are most effective when they act as the topcoat, but that drastically narrows your colour choices. So do your research before you choose your paint!”