Are you dealing with damp and mould

Visit our dedicated page for advice on how to deal with damp and mould.
Damp and Mould - Albyn (albynhousing.org.uk)

The most common type of damp is condensation, and it is most common from October – April. Condensation happens when warm moist air meets a cold surface, like a window or an outside wall. We can take steps to avoid it by reducing moisture in the air and improving ventilation.

Reducing Moisture in your Home Leaflet

Condensation is caused by warm, moist air coming into contact with cold surfaces and affects millions of homes in the UK. This leads to mould growth, particular in unheated rooms, behind furniture against outside walls and in cupboards and wardrobes. The staining and mould growth is often a distance from the source of the moisture.

The mould and staining produced by condensation can damage wallpaper, wall surfaces and window frames as well as furniture and clothing. It can also be a health risk, particularly for those with existing lung conditions, the elderly and young children. It also makes your home harder to heat as wet building materials lose heat quicker.

How much condensation do we produce?

Almost everything we do produces condensation and the problem is often worse during the winter months when doors and windows are kept shut to maintain the heat in the home and clothes are dried indoors. The chart below show how much we produce through normal household activities.

1 Pint                                  Clothes Washing

2 Pints                              Bath

3 Pints                             4 People sleeping for 8 hours

3 Pints                              Paraffin Heater on for 4 hours

6 Pints                              Cooking by Gas for 3 hours

10 Pints                            Clothes Drying

(6lbs of spun washing in an unvented tumble drier)

What can be done?

We recognise that condensation is a common problem and we do our best to prevent it. Wherever possible we install ventilation and insulation to improve circulation of air and to make the home easier to heat.  Unfortunately this does not always eradicate the problem and we therefore ask our tenants to follow some simple tips to help manage any condensation within their homes.

Reduce moisture production

If you produce less moisture there will be less condensation. You can do this by:

• Putting a lid on saucepans when you are cooking (this reduces the amount of electricity/gas needed to maintain the temperature too, so it saves you money)
• Avoid soaking clothes and only do so for a minimal amount of time.
• Vent tumble dryers outside.
• Avoid portable gas and paraffin heaters.
• Dry clothes outside where possible. If you have to dry them indoors do so in a well-ventilated room with internal doors closed.
• Ensure your clothes are thoroughly dry before you put them away.
• Remove moisture from surfaces with a dry cloth. You may need to do this more than once as moisture in the air can re-accumulate after you have wiped the surface down.
• Dry wet coats and shoes/boots in a well-ventilated room before putting them away.

Ventilate your home

Not enough ventilation traps moisture in your home and causes condensation, but too much ventilation and your home becomes drafty and difficult to heat, causing condensation! The balance is difficult to achieve and we understand that it can sometimes feel that you can’t win! However, we do have some tips to help you.

• Check with your housing services officer before you add draft excluders, they can advise you on the best type for your property.
• Don’t draft proof kitchen and bathroom windows; this is where most of the moisture is produced in your home.
• Move furniture away from cold walls to allow air to circulate behind them preventing mould growth.
• Leave cupboard and wardrobe doors open periodically so air can circulate inside.
• Open a window and close internal doors if you are producing steam, for example when having a shower or cooking. (put draft strips on internal doors to keep your home warm)
• Use extractor fans provided.

Keep your home warm

If your home is under-heated then you are more likely to have issues with condensation. With the increased cost of fuel, we understand that many of our tenants may find it difficult to heat their homes. If you are having problems meeting your heating bills there is advice available on our “Cold weather information” page, from your electricity/gas supplier or from your local Citizens Advice Bureaux. Not using your heating or partially heating your home may be a false economy as replacing furniture and decoration damaged by condensation damp and mould can be expensive. Bottled gas and paraffin heaters should be avoided. If you would like more information about heating your home you can contact us or look at our “Cold weather information” page.

Please call our lo-call number: 0300 323 0990

Dealing with condensation mould

Mould created by condensation can be removed with household bleach or a fungicide solution.  If mould is particularly bad, wear a facemask. The cleaned area can them be treated with fungicide paint or covered with special fungicidal wallpaper paste before redecorating. In situations where condensation is intermittent, where it is only an issue during winter months for example, fungicidal paints and wallpaper paste can provide an adequate solution. For more serious problems however, the cause of the condensation must identified and dealt with or the mould will return in due course.

You can get more information from our customer services staff or from the Scottish Government leaflet “Keep your home free from damp and mould” available at the link http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/1125/0011805.pdf

Condensation Leaflet - 2020

Mould and Damp Leaflet 2020

In light of the severe winters of the last few years, we feel that it is important to offer some basic advice to assist our tenants to deal with the effects of hard and/or prolonged frosts on your home.

Please note that we are not responsible if frost causes a burst pipe or tank.

Burst pipes

Changes to temperature, especially during the winter months, can sometimes lead to burst pipes in your home. Therefore, it is important to keep your home warm. If you are going away during winter, please make sure you leave your radiator setting at frost control this will avoid a burst pipe in your absence or contact us for general advice we are happy to help you.

What to do if you have a burst pipe

1. Turn off the water supply in your home by locating your stop tap (typically underneath your kitchen or bathroom sink)- images of what stop tap/isolator looks like
2. Turn off your central heating system and boiler
3. If the pipes have burst near an electrical supply, do not turn off supplies at the wall or socket. Instead, switch the electrics off at the mains -again image of distribution board isolator would be useful
4. Contact Albyn

Please call our lo-call number: 0300 323 0990

Download our Preventing Burst Pipes Leaflet

In general, we do not allow our tenants to carry our repairs on our properties unless they are a qualified tradesman, however there are some DIY jobs, such as putting up shelves or curtain poles that you may need to carry out yourself. If you want to see a full list of the repairs that we ask you to carry out yourself, please see our ‘What we ask of you’ page.

When carrying out any repairs yourself, we suggest that you first check that you know how to do the job. You will find videos and practical advice through an online search and you can phone our Customer Services Team on the following numbers during office hours for practical tips. If you are still unsure seek advice from a reputable tradesman.

Please call our lo-call number: 0300 323 0990

It is also important that you have the correct tools for the job. A reputable hardware or DIY store will be able to advise you on the best tools for the job. It is worth considering investing in a basic tool kit for your home.

If you are using a ladder, when painting or papering for example, we recommend that you have someone with you to hold the ladder in place and to prevent you from falling.

Please be aware of the risks of DIY and carry out any projects in a safe fashion.

Despite the best efforts of electricity providers, storm damage will occasionally cause power cuts. Generally power cuts last for a very short time but on occasion they can last for a number of days. This is a rare event, but it is easy to be prepared by following our simple check list.

Have torches and lanterns, with spare batteries, stored in an easy to reach place. Avoid using candles as they are a fire risk.

• Make sure that you have plenty of warm clothing and blankets to hand. Your central heating won’t work without electricity and your home may get cold.
• Have a battery powered or wind-up radio and your mobile phone to hand so you can keep in contact with events.
• Have crisps, energy bars and other snacks in case you get hungry before the electricity comes back on.

Be part of your community

A power cut can be distressing for elderly and vulnerable members of your community and we ask our more able tenants to take some time to offer what support or assistance they can. Simply knocking on the door and asking if they are ok can make a huge difference.

Despite recent scenes on our TVs, severe flooding is relatively rare and the Highland Council have had a Major Flood Prevention Scheme in place since 2007. Click here for further information.

Please remember that the risk of severe flooding is very small.

Severe flooding is more likely in the autumn and spring, during a thaw after heavy snow and during heavy rainfall or storms. You should check that your home contents insurance covers flood damage.

Where there is a risk of severe flooding the Highland Council are working towards providing secure flood defences, but there are things you can do to protect your home, yourself and your family in the meantime.

What to do if you are flooded

In the unlikely event of your home flooding;

Do

• Move sentimental and valuable belongings upstairs. If you live in a bungalow, place them on a high shelf in an inner room.
• Prevent flood water from entering your home if you can. Dig drainage to channel water away from your home or block doorways with sandbags, if they are being provided and you are fit to do so.
• Switch off gas, electricity and water supplies if you are able.
• Have a charged mobile phone with you and a battery powered, or wind-up radio so you can stay in contact and be aware of events as they happen.
• Have drinking water, energy bars, disinfectant wipes or hand gels, blankets and torches (with spare batteries) stored in a dry place, preferably upstairs. Make sure you have provisions for babies, young children and pets too, books and games can provide a distraction.
• Stay out of the flood waters, flooding often causes sewage pipes to over flow and can spread disease.
• Check that WCs and drains are not backing up due to rising water. If they are, block them with towels.
• If you can, check on elderly or vulnerable people within your community.

In the unlikely event that you are asked to leave your home by the rescue services, secure your home and take valuables with you. Remember to take baby and pet food if you need them.

Don’ts

• Try to walk or drive through flood waters, even relatively shallow water can sweep an adult off their feet or stall a car.
• Leave your home unless you are advised to do so or have to for your own safety.
• Drink or wash your hands in flood water or allow children or animals to come into contact with it. Use disinfectant hand wipes or gels if you need to.

After a flood

If your home has been flooded you should contact us straight away. If your home is uninhabitable we will provide you will with alternative accommodation.

Please call our lo-call number: 0300 323 0990

You should also inform your insurer immediately.

If you or a member of your household have a physical disability or an ongoing medical problem that makes living in your home difficult we will try to help you. There are two ways you may be able to get help:

• Aids such as grab rails and bath aids can be supplied by the NHS
• We may be able to arrange for adaptations such as replacing a bath with a shower or changing the height of worktops or kitchen units

If you think an adaptation is required we will ask for a formal assessment from a suitably qualified specialist, usually an Occupational Therapist. They will give a written report advising on what changes need to be made to your house, and give a priority for the work to be done. We will have the work costed and where funding is available we will arrange to have the work carried out for you.

If you have access to alternative funding you may be able to get the work done even if we can't fund it.  You must have our written permission to carry out any adaptation on your home.

You can find details of our major repairs schedule by contacting our Customer and Property Services team on 0300 323 0990. If we wish to carry out any major repairs or cyclical works on your property we will contact you in advance.

These are necessary work to maintain the standard of the property to ensure that the property meets the current Government quality standards and we appreciate your assistance in ensuring that these works are completed successfully.

What to do if we contact you

If you are contacted regarding major repair or cyclical works, please reply promptly. We will supply you with a self-addressed, postage paid envelope in order for you to do so. On some occasions the funding for these works are dependent on the level of uptake and therefore it is very important that we hear from all our tenants in the area where the work is to be carried out.

If we don't get a reply from you, a member of our team and or our contractor will visit your property to discuss the works with you. You can also request a visit if you would like more information or if you are unable to attend public meetings due to ill health or disability.

Before the works start

Before the works start we would ask that you follow the instructions that are given to you by either a member of the Albyn team or by the contractors. This may include clearing your loft or emptying your kitchen, if you are having difficulty with this please contact your local Albyn Customer Services team as there may be something we can do to assist.

Please call our lo-call number: 0300 323 0990

After the work is completed

The funding for major repairs is often provided by outside funding bodies and naturally these bodies will wish to assess that the works have been carried out to the standards expected. When a major repair is completed the funders may wish to gain access to a percentage of the properties where the work has been done. In this event a member of the Albyn team will contact a number of houses requesting access. Our funders will never visit your property unannounced and will always provide identification which you can verify by calling your local Albyn Customer Services team, contact information as above.

Cyclical works will be inspected by a member of the Albyn team. They may wish to speak to you regarding the standard of the work done in order to ensure that the work is satisfactory.

Laminate wooden flooring has become increasingly popular as a floor covering in our homes over the last few years. Incorrectly laid laminate flooring can cause increased noise transmission to other parts of the building and can be damaged in the event that it needs to be lifted to carry out repairs under the floorboards.

While our contractors will do everything possible to avoid damaging your laminate flooring, we encourage our tenants to ensure that their home contents insurance covers any damage caused by contractors while attending to a repair. We also encourage our tenants to use “click” system laminate (sometimes called Click and Lay) as this type allows the flooring to be lifted and re-laid without damage. The glued system does not allow for this.

We often find that there are noise issues where laminate flooring has been laid, especially in flats where sounds travel through the fabric of the building into other tenants’ properties. In order to reduce noise transmission, we advise our tenants to lay sound proofing underlay before laying laminate. Sound proofing will reduce noise and help maintain good relationships between neighbours. Where possible, we would recommend the use of fibreboard as we find it to be a more effective material than plastic or thin foam underlay.

Further information is available from your tenants’ handbook or from our Customer Services teams - contact information as follows:

Please call our lo-call number: 0300 323 0990

Please find below some helpful information on how to bleed a radiator.