Of all the various rooms in a home, the kitchen is easily the most dreadful space to find dampness or mold in. After all, it is the room where you cook and store your food. The last thing you need is for your food or cooking equipment to become contaminated by damp or harmful mold spores. This, at the very least, is more than enough to repulse and put you off meals.
Damp can very well bring on quite a number of different problems into your home, such as respiratory health difficulties, discoloration to your walls (black mold growth or yellow patches that ruin your wallpaper), and even some structural damage. The longer you put off finding a solution to your damp problem, the worse it will become. So it is very crucial that you fight back the moment you notice any condensation, dampness, or mold growth. Here are a few lifestyle and structural design changes you can try out to decrease condensation and dampness in your kitchen.
Boil Your Kettle Close to a Window for Better Ventilation
Instead of boiling water under a cupboard (a common mistake that most people make), try boiling it close to an open window or alternatively, under an extraction fan. Doing this ensures that the steam from the boiling water is not trapped in the room, as steam can damage your cupboards or other furniture pieces in the room.
If you have been repeatedly boiling water under a cupboard, check for accumulated dampness or other dirt, then thoroughly clean afterward. However, If your cupboards are plastic coated or painted, it is best to strip them off to make sure mold spores are not growing underneath the paint.
Keep Your Surfaces Dry
Since structural dampness is the accumulation of excess moisture in structures, make sure to clean up all spills when cooking. This will ensure that there is a minimal amount of moisture around to cause condensation.
Allow Your Dishwasher to Cool for Some Time After Use
Opening your dishwasher immediately after use will result in the release of a cloud of steam inside the kitchen, which will cause condensation. Leaving your dishwasher to cool following usage will allow the steam to condense within the dishwasher and drain away.
Use pan or pot Lids While Cooking on the hob
Using lids on the pan or pot while cooking on the hob helps to contain the steam, thus, preventing it from forming condensation. Using pan lids also minimizes heat loss, which will make your food cook faster using less energy.
Install an Extractor fan
Generally used in bathrooms, kitchens, or other high-humidity environments, extractor fans are used for pulling moist air out of a room, preventing it from condensing or causing dampness problems. If you do not have one installed yet or the existing one is getting aged and tired, then you should really consider investing in one.
Install a Positive Pressure Ventilation System
Although these systems are not commonly used specifically for a kitchen, if your damp problem runs throughout your entire property, then it may likely be one of the most practical solutions. Put simply, positive pressure ventilation systems work by pulling in more fresh air into your home and making sure that it circulates effectively.
Check for Cavity Condensation
If you have cavity walls, then check the insulation through a thermal imaging camera or a survey to identify gaps or potential problems. Cavity walls can contribute greatly to intra-wall condensation because the dampness can rise through them and seep into the walls of your kitchen.
Adding insulation also helps to regulate a room’s temperature, particularly if it is inconsistent.
Chemical Damp Proof Course
If your property doesn’t already have appropriate damp proofing, then consider getting a chemical damp proofing course. This can provide a barrier, which prevents the specific issue of rising damp – a damp issue caused by ground moisture rising up the walls.
In addition to kitchen damp-proofing solutions, mold removal products such as Mould Control Packs can be applied on black mold patches. You can also make use of fungicidal emulsion paint for decorating.
Conclusion
If you notice any damp patches or mold growth on your kitchen walls, it is crucial that you take the necessary action to stop it before the issue gets worse. Untreated dampness will not only damage your walls but lead to structural problems that will require costly repairs. To avoid damp making an appearance completely, search on Google for something like “damp specialist London.”
How To Prevent Mold In The Kitchen?