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Every winter we hear and see stories of people living in extremely damp, mouldy conditions.
It’s a symptom of living in older wooden houses in a temperate climate with inadequate heating, ventilation and insulation. However, it isn’t just extreme cases that need to be fixed — most of us … View moreEvery winter we hear and see stories of people living in extremely damp, mouldy conditions.
It’s a symptom of living in older wooden houses in a temperate climate with inadequate heating, ventilation and insulation. However, it isn’t just extreme cases that need to be fixed — most of us would be more comfortable if we reduced the dampness in our homes.
A damp home is an unhealthy home, there’s no argument there. But it isn’t just that — damp air takes more energy to heat than dry air, so it literally pays to remove moisture from your home.
Musty smells, mouldy walls and ceilings, weeping windows and damp clothes in wardrobes are all signs you need to reduce moisture and increase ventilation or heating.
Start by reducing dampness sources. Moisture gets into your home in many ways. One of the biggest sources is moisture evaporating up from the ground through your floors (as much as 40L per day per 100m2). Check for dampness under your house and fix any drainage, guttering, downpipe or plumbing problems — then consider installing a sealed moisture control sheet.
Other daily activities can add moisture to your home:
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Drying clothes inside can add 5L of moisture per load. Make use of good winter days to dry clothes outside. Using the fastest spin speed on your washing machine minimises the amount of drying needed. If you use a vented clothes dryer, ensure it vents outside.
Clothes drying on rack indoors.
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Cooking can add up to 3L a day. Use pot lids when cooking to contain steam and a kitchen rangehood or fan that vents outside.
Showers and baths add up to 1.5L per day per person. Use an extractor fan when showering or taking a bath, or at least open a window. You can also fit a dome to your shower to contain moisture.
Don’t use unflued gas heaters to heat your home. Not only are they dangerous unless well vented, they add up to 1L of moisture to the air per hour.
Sources of moisture
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Once the main sources of dampness are removed or reduced, you can think about ventilation. Just living and breathing adds moisture into the home, and we can’t stop doing that. However, we can open windows to let a breeze through and vent moisture-laden air. It seems counter-intuitive to open windows on a cold winter day, but removing moisture will be healthier and make your heating more efficient. Get in the habit of airing your home every day or leaving windows slightly open.
Many of these tips are free or low-cost, but they can be highly effective. Further options start to get pricier.
You could consider a dehumidifier to target parts of the home that don’t get enough airflow and remain damp. However, they aren’t a magic bullet — the best dehumidifiers in our tests remove up to 9L per day at 12°C, but only desiccant models perform when it’s colder. They are effective at drying smaller spaces, and act as a small heater too (they put out about 300 to 400W of heat).
Mould
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Mould is known to cause inflammation, allergies and infections.
It is a relatively straightforward process to remove mould from hard non-porous surfaces, such as glass or ceramic tile. However, removing mould from porous substances such as wallboard, wood and carpets is more difficult and more hazardous. This is because spores can be released when disturbing rotten material, which can cause inflammation, allergies and infections.
New homes
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In new buildings, some moisture is trapped during the construction process. Wet timber may also have been used. The sequencing and timing of the construction process is important to avoid this and be sure to avoid storing construction materials out in the open where possible.
Under the floor
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To prevent damp air from building up under the floor:
Ensure there is sufficient ventilation. Vents are often obstructed by vegetation and should be cleared.
Make sure water isn’t draining from paths or gardens under the house. You may need to create channels or underground drains to divert surface run-off.
Cover the ground area beneath your home with heavy-grade polythene, taped at the joints and trimmed neatly against the foundation walls.
Ventilating
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Let moist air out and dry air in by:
Opening your windows – especially in wet areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. Even in winter, it’s worth opening windows to let the house dry out.
Closing doors to contain steam/condensation in wet areas.
Using extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens (but never vent them into the roof space above the ceiling or under the floor. Always vent them outside).
Venting clothes dryers to the outside. A typical load contains 5 litres of water. This is released as water vapour, which can end up creating thousands of litres of damp air.
Installing vents into windows.
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Using a forced ventilation system. That said, forced ventilation systems can be expensive to install. Try to address the cause of the moisture build-up instead.
Clothes drying on rack indoors.
Insulating
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Block off draughts. Use draught seal tape around windows and doors. Block off unused chimneys, but ensure it’s not an airtight seal as air needs to circulate into the chimney to allow drying if rain gets in.
Insulate your ceiling. This helps keep your home warm and reduces condensation; 42% of heat loss is through the ceiling/roof. Older homes often don’t have any ceiling or wall insulation.
Consider installing double or secondary glazing.
Check existing insulation is in good condition. As a guide, insulation should fill up to the top of the roof/ceiling joists.
Insulate beneath the floor. The floor accounts for 10% of heat loss. You will need reasonable access under the floor and, in windy sites, the insulation will need to be protected by a separate layer of lining material, for example plywood or fibre cement.
Well-fitted heavy curtains, drawn on winter nights, will help retain heat gained from the sun during the day.
Heating
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If the indoor temperature is at least 7ºC warmer than the outdoor temperature, it’ll prevent condensation forming on colder surfaces. The World Health Organisation recommends an indoor temperature of at least 16ºC in bedrooms and 18ºC in living areas.
Use low levels of heat all the time rather than high levels in short bursts. This reduces condensation.
Don't use unflued gas or kerosene heaters inside – they release up to 1L of water per hour.
In damp cupboards, consider installing a cupboard heater.
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Unleash the artist within you, showcase your DIY creative skills and spruce up an old item or completely repurpose it! Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis like YOU to take part in the Resene Upcycling Awards.
We want to see your amazing creations so don't be afraid to go … View moreUnleash the artist within you, showcase your DIY creative skills and spruce up an old item or completely repurpose it! Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis like YOU to take part in the Resene Upcycling Awards.
We want to see your amazing creations so don't be afraid to go all out! Check out some of the previous entires here.
Take part in the 2022 Resene Upcycling Awards. There are four great prizes worth $500 up for grabs: a $200 Resene voucher and a $300 Prezzy® card!
Retirement is an exciting time, filled with possibilities. Our fixed fee guarantee is one of the ways we provide financial certainty. Ryman residents love it as it helps them reduce rising living costs and surprise expenses.
Enjoy the quality amenities at every Ryman village and splurge a little… View moreRetirement is an exciting time, filled with possibilities. Our fixed fee guarantee is one of the ways we provide financial certainty. Ryman residents love it as it helps them reduce rising living costs and surprise expenses.
Enjoy the quality amenities at every Ryman village and splurge a little on yourself if you feel like it! Take up that hobby you’ve dreamed of or plan a holiday somewhere warm.
It’s easy to live life your way when you have freedom to do the things you enjoy. It’s another example of how we’re pioneering retirement living.
Popular cookie brand Mrs Higgins has recalled a specific batch of their product due to the possible presence of white plastic.
The cookies affected are the Mrs Higgins Shortbread Cookies in the 350g bag with a Best Before date of 4/10/22.
These cookies are found at all Countdown stores across… View morePopular cookie brand Mrs Higgins has recalled a specific batch of their product due to the possible presence of white plastic.
The cookies affected are the Mrs Higgins Shortbread Cookies in the 350g bag with a Best Before date of 4/10/22.
These cookies are found at all Countdown stores across New Zealand and customers can return these affected goods for a full refund.
This recall does not affect any other of the Mrs Higgins products.
"Don't leave it too late" - Brian and Lyn's advice to retirees.
Read about their move to Murray Halberg Village below.
Decorate small sunny nooks or bare walls with cute decorative hanging plant plaques and soothing Resene colours.
Find out how to create your own.
1 in 10 Kiwi kids in our poorest communities don’t have their own bed, which puts them at risk from life-threatening illnesses like rheumatic fever.
But you can help by making a donation to Variety’s Warm Hearts Winter Appeal.
• $45 will fund a warm blanket.
• $80 will fund a bedding… View more1 in 10 Kiwi kids in our poorest communities don’t have their own bed, which puts them at risk from life-threatening illnesses like rheumatic fever.
But you can help by making a donation to Variety’s Warm Hearts Winter Appeal.
• $45 will fund a warm blanket.
• $80 will fund a bedding pack
• $343 will fund a single bed and bedding pack.
• $688 will fund bunks beds and bedding packs.
With your support, we aim to provide 1,100 children with beds and warm bedding. Donate today to provide beds and bedding for Kiwi kids.
Come along to our meeting 1.30pm at Te Tuhi Art Centre, 13 Reeves Road, Pakuranga, Monday 14th June for a free 1 hour presentation about the Auckland libraries Podcasts, Beamafilm and how to sign up with a library card to watch movies and documentaries.
Phone Janet 021 2148386
Every dollar counts towards that first home or retirement. Are you confident your KiwiSaver is performing or maybe like a lot of us you tend not to think about it!
Get a FREE KiwiSaver health check and go in the draw to win up to $10,000* from our partners National Capital. It’s easy as!
… View moreEvery dollar counts towards that first home or retirement. Are you confident your KiwiSaver is performing or maybe like a lot of us you tend not to think about it!
Get a FREE KiwiSaver health check and go in the draw to win up to $10,000* from our partners National Capital. It’s easy as!
Hate feeling obligated? You're not! The health check will let you know if there is a better KiwiSaver provider for you - it's up to you if you do anything about it. Why wait till you're 65, make sure your KiwiSaver is working for you now!
"Sonia and EMT have been really helpful because on my number post-test I got a 3P and that proves that Sonia and EMT have been great and I love that" Jayvyn Year 7, Blockhouse Bay Intermediate.
Our Expert Maths tutors are continuously helping our precious students to achieve their … View more"Sonia and EMT have been really helpful because on my number post-test I got a 3P and that proves that Sonia and EMT have been great and I love that" Jayvyn Year 7, Blockhouse Bay Intermediate.
Our Expert Maths tutors are continuously helping our precious students to achieve their desired Mathematics results.
Simply click & enroll now forms.gle... ?
to book your child's first Mathematics session and experience on your own how Expert Maths Tuition Center Limited can take your child's Mathematics to the next desired levels.
For further information, please contact us on info@expertmathstuition.co.nz or call us on 0800 MATH ME
Chandler says to Joey: "You have to stop the Q-tip when there is resistance" hehe, well you can
stop using cotton swabs, and have the relief of keeping them out of the reach of children. You can also avoid hearing problems by relying in an awesome replacement for q-tips. The Tvidler is … View moreChandler says to Joey: "You have to stop the Q-tip when there is resistance" hehe, well you can
stop using cotton swabs, and have the relief of keeping them out of the reach of children. You can also avoid hearing problems by relying in an awesome replacement for q-tips. The Tvidler is made up tiny soft corkscrews that just need to put the soft end into your ear and pull the wax out.
Self-Soothing Pain Relief Soft Silicone Baby Teething Toys, Training Banana Teether for babies, and toddlers.
Pickup New Windsor, Auckland. It can be securely packed and shipped at buyers expense/risk.
Kia ora neighbours, Thomas Coombes, who was fatally stabbed on a walkway in Auckland’s Mt Albert, has been remembered by loved ones as being able to “cheer up a brick wall”.
About 700 people gathered at Wainamu, Te Henga/Bethells Beach for a memorial service on Tuesday May 31 to mourn the … View moreKia ora neighbours, Thomas Coombes, who was fatally stabbed on a walkway in Auckland’s Mt Albert, has been remembered by loved ones as being able to “cheer up a brick wall”.
About 700 people gathered at Wainamu, Te Henga/Bethells Beach for a memorial service on Tuesday May 31 to mourn the loss of Coombes after he was attacked and killed on Tuesday May 24.
Coombes, 25, had been heading home when he was attacked and his body was found by members of the public.
“Tom was a young man who followed his dreams, and we want his life to inspire other young people to do the same,” said his mother, Rowena Coombes.
Read the full story at the link below.
Our First Aid for Workplace Comprehensive Course on Saturday 18th June 8.30am to 5pm has a few spots remaining.
For more information or to register flick us an email - admin@glenedencommunityhouse.co.nz
On World Ocean Day, people across the globe unite to celebrate and take action for our shared blue planet, with one ocean and one climate, which connect us all. Get together with your family and community, and join with millions of others around our blue planet to create a better future.
By … View moreOn World Ocean Day, people across the globe unite to celebrate and take action for our shared blue planet, with one ocean and one climate, which connect us all. Get together with your family and community, and join with millions of others around our blue planet to create a better future.
By working together, we can - and will - protect and restore our shared ocean and climate. Join this growing global celebration on June 8!
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