Damp & Mould Advice: Causes, Treatment & Prevention

Damp and mould are among the most common — and most misunderstood — problems in UK homes. This is our practical advice hub: clear, practitioner-checked guides on getting rid of mould, understanding what causes damp, and stopping it coming back. Everything here is written and reviewed by a qualified building surveyor.

General guidance, not a substitute for an inspection. If a problem is serious, recurring, or you rent your home, get it properly diagnosed. Health points are flagged and should be checked against NHS advice.

Getting rid of mould

Understanding damp

Condensation

Health & odour

When advice isn’t enough

If damp or mould keeps returning despite your best efforts, the underlying cause hasn’t been fixed. That’s when an independent damp and mould survey pays for itself. And if you rent your home, your landlord is usually responsible — see your rights as a tenant.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between damp, condensation and mould?

Damp is excess moisture in a building (from condensation, penetrating or rising damp). Condensation is the most common source of household moisture. Mould is the growth that appears when surfaces stay damp. Fixing mould for good means fixing the underlying damp.

Can I get rid of mould myself, or do I need a specialist?

Small patches of surface mould can often be cleaned safely yourself. But if it keeps coming back, covers a large area, or you're a tenant, the underlying cause needs proper diagnosis — see what a surveyor does.

Is the advice on this site reliable?

Yes — it's written and reviewed by a qualified building surveyor and Domestic Energy Assessor, with health and legal points flagged for verification against NHS and gov.uk sources. See about the author.