How to control damp

Open the windows when the weather is good to let drier air in. Fit extractor fans with humidity detectors in kitchens and bathrooms to remove moist air automatically, or else plug in a dehumidifier.

Remember that sealing up doors, windows and unused flues to eliminate draughts will increase the likelihood of condensation.

Create less moisture by drying clothes outdoors whenever possible. If you have a tumble drier, vent it to the outside. Keep lids on boiling saucepans and shut bathroom and kitchen doors to stop steam spreading through the house. Use dehumidifiers in damp, enclosed areas and avoid heaters that run on paraffin or oil—both fuels produce large quantities of water vapour when they are burned.

Decorate kitchens and bathrooms with paint specially made for these rooms. Ordinary emulsion paint will flake or develop mould if it gets damp frequently, but anti-condensation paint is designed to absorb moisture from damp air and release it back into the atmosphere when the air is drier.

If condensation is severe, on north-facing walls, for example, have them replastered with an anti-condensation plaster. It works in the same way as  kitchen and bathroom paint. The plaster also contains small air bubbles that insulate the surface, helping to further reduce the risk of condensation.

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