How Rising Humidity in Autumn Can Affect Housing Disrepair

With the arrival of chilly autumn air, many people are looking forward to the change in weather. That said, as autumn approaches, we also witness higher humidity, more rain, and cooler temperatures, which can make things difficult for homes that are already in poor condition. Along with making structural problems worse, the increased humidity in autumn can also affect your health in a not-so-great way. It’s really important to know how humidity impacts your home and your health, especially if you’re renting and your landlord isn’t being very helpful.

How Humidity Affects Housing Disrepair

The humidity often rises in autumn, which can lead to moisture building in our houses. This typically makes any current repair problems quite obvious. Typical areas of concern consist in:

Damp and Mould Growth

In homes with inadequate ventilation or structural problems like damaged gutters or leaking roofs, dampness is a regular issue. Particularly in bathrooms, kitchens, and basements, rising humidity offers the ideal conditions for mould development. Mould thrives in warm, humid surroundings; its spores may rapidly damage walls, ceilings, and furniture.

Unchecked, moist patches on ceilings or walls can progressively weaken a building’s structural integrity and inflict long-term damage. Higher moisture levels in the house might be caused by leaks, damaged windows, and insufficient insulation; so, it becomes challenging to keep the property warm without aggravating condensation and mould development.

Condensation

Condensation occurs when warm, moist air hits cooler surfaces, such as windows, walls, or poorly insulated areas of the home. Autumn brings the perfect conditions for condensation to develop from the outside drop in temperature mixed with the increasing humidity inside. Condensation can eventually cause plaster deterioration, wood rot, and peeling paint. In homes lacking appropriate insulation or ventilation, this is especially a frequent issue.

If your house suffers from condensation, you should pay particular attention to window frames particularly in older buildings since moisture can penetrate into the walls and further deteriorate the construction.

Structural Damage

Extended high-humidity exposure might compromise a building’s structural integrity. Especially sensitive to moisture are wooden components including flooring, beams, and window frames. High humidity can cause structural instability by warping, swelling, or rotting wood. Rising humidity can similarly aggravate wall cracks, which, if not properly treated over time, could cause major structural problems.

Legal obligations bind landlords to preserve the safety and integrity of their rented buildings. Should any of these problems exist in your house, you should notify them right once to stop more damage.

The Health Impact of Rising Humidity

Rising humidity can damage your property, but it can also be bad for your health, especially if you have damp and mould in your home. Living in a moist surrounding may cause a variety of health problems, some of which could be severe.

Respiratory Problems

Those who already suffer from asthma or allergies may find that mould and dampness exacerbate their symptoms. When inhaled, mould spores can aggravate the airways and cause coughing, wheezing and dyspnoea. Children, the elderly, or those with compromised immune systems may find more severe respiratory issues from damp and mould exposure, including chronic bronchitis.

Increased Risk of Asthma

Asthma symptoms have been linked to increasing humidity and mould exposure, either starting or aggravating them. Dust mites, a major cause of allergies and asthma, flourish in humidity. If you’re living in a home that consistently has high levels of moisture, your asthma may become more difficult to manage, with symptoms becoming more frequent or severe.

Skin Irritation and Allergies

Mould can also cause skin irritation and worsen allergic reactions. People living in mouldy environments often experience rashes, itchy eyes, and other allergic symptoms as a result of their exposure. Some people may also develop fungal infections, particularly if they are in close contact with contaminated surfaces.

Mental Health Strain

Living in a house damaged by mould, humidity, and neglect can cause tension and anxiety. Your mental health may suffer from worries about your health, the safety of your residence, and the financial strain of attempting to keep warmth in a damp environment. Studies reveal that the continuous stress of having to manage damage and its consequences on their quality of life makes persons living in badly maintained homes more prone to have mental health problems.

What to Do if Your Home is Affected by Rising Humidity

If you’re dealing with housing disrepair that’s made worse by autumn humidity, there are steps you can take to mitigate the damage and protect your health:

• Report the Issue to Your Landlord: Landlords are responsible for keeping properties safe and habitable. If your home is affected by rising humidity, damp, or mould, notify your landlord in writing and request urgent repairs. Keep a record of your communication for future reference. Contact Environmental Health if the issue is severe and your landlord does not take any action.

• Ventilate Your Home: Ensure your home is well-ventilated, especially in areas prone to dampness like kitchens and bathrooms. Use extractor fans or open windows to let moisture escape and help prevent condensation.

• Use a Dehumidifier: If possible, use a dehumidifier to reduce the moisture levels in your home. Dehumidifiers can help prevent mould from forming and reduce the overall humidity in the air.

• Seek Legal Advice: You might be entitled to take legal action if your landlord neglects timely maintenance or refuses to undertake required repairs. Our area of expertise at SilverOak Solicitors is claims for dwelling damage; we can assist you to get the repairs you require as well as compensation for any property or health harm resulting from the increasing humidity.

Start Your Housing Disrepair Claim Today

SilverOak Solicitors is here to assist you if your landlord isn’t fixing a house you live in that is impacted by mould, damp or growing humidity. Our team of experts will help you to seek a claim for housing repairs so that your living environment is once more safe and liveable. We will work with you to hold your owner responsible and get them to pay for any physical or mental problems that happened because of bad living conditions.

Contact SilverOak Solicitors today for a free consultation and take the first step towards improving your home and protecting your health.