Damp, Condensation and Mould: A Practical Guide for Supporting Older Adults

Reviewed by: Dr Jackie Gray, Public Health Expert and Retired GP
(Carents Trusted Reviewer Programme – Last reviewed January 2026)

Most damp comes from one of these:

• Condensation, when warm, damp air hits a cold surface like a window.

• Rising damp, where moisture from the ground moves up into the walls because the protective layer that should stop it is damaged or missing.

• Rain getting in, often through cracked brickwork, loose tiles or worn seals.

• Plumbing leaks, from a slow drip under a sink to water escaping around a bath.

Working out which type it is helps you avoid wasted effort. Condensation is often manageable with small changes. Rising damp or rain-related damp usually needs a professional to check it.

Condensation is common, especially in winter. These small actions can help:

Ventilation
Opening windows for even a short time lets damp air escape. In kitchens and bathrooms, use extractor fans so the steam goes outside rather than onto cold surfaces.

Heating
Keeping the heating at a steady, gentle level stops walls and windows becoming very cold. Rapid on-off heating means warm, damp air hits a freezing surface, and water forms instantly.

Moisture control

• Put lids on pans.

• Avoid drying washing indoors if there is another option.

• If laundry must be dried inside, open a window nearby.

• A small dehumidifier can help in stubborn rooms.

Many carents say the first sign of trouble is waking up to soaking wet windows every morning. It feels endless, especially in colder bedrooms. The quickest fix is to tackle the moisture that builds overnight. Encourage your parent to keep the bedroom door slightly open so air can move. Thick curtains help with warmth but can trap damp air against the glass, so make sure they aren’t pushed right up against the window.

If the room still gets wet windows, put a small dehumidifier on a timer through the night. Even a compact one can pull enough moisture out of the air to make mornings easier. Wiping the windows with a microfibre cloth each morning keeps mould from starting in the corners. These habits are simple, but for an older adult who moves slowly or feels tired, it may help if you set up the routine with them the first couple of times.

Mould often shows up as black dots on walls or ceilings, or a strong musty smell that clings to fabrics.

Clean early
Use a cleaner made to kill mould. Test a small patch first so the paint does not fade. Wear gloves and open a window while cleaning.

Wash fabrics
Curtains, cushions and blankets can trap mould spores. Washing them helps stop the smell returning.

Fix the cause
Cleaning helps but, unless the damp or condensation is sorted, mould will come back.

Mould often affects a person’s mood as much as their walls. Many older adults feel ashamed when they see black patches or smell damp, even when it is caused by the building rather than anything they have done. As a carent, you might also feel guilty if you cannot visit as often as you would like. Naming these feelings helps. Let your parent know this is a common problem in older homes, especially in winter, and that it is fixable.

Work through one room at a time instead of trying to deal with the whole house. If bending or reaching is hard for your parent, offer to handle the cleaning while they supervise from a chair. Small wins matter. Seeing one wall cleaned or one room smelling fresher gives them a sense of progress and reduces the anxiety that mould can cause.

Some damp problems are bigger than a cloth and spray bottle.

If damp patches rise above knee height or appear after heavy rain, you may be dealing with moisture getting in through damaged walls or roof areas. Check for:

• cracked or missing roof tiles

• blocked gutters

• damaged brickwork

• loose or broken seals around windows

For damp rising up from the ground, a qualified surveyor can check the protective layer built into the walls or floors. Fixing these issues early prevents bigger repair bills later.

Older adults need warmth for comfort and health, so leaving windows open all day is not realistic.

A few simple habits help:

• open windows for 10–15 minutes after cooking or showering

• keep the heating at a steady level rather than switching it on and off

• avoid pushing furniture tight against cold external walls so air can move

These small changes keep the home warm without letting moisture build up.

If your parent rents their home, the landlord must handle major repairs. This includes structural damp, broken extractors, leaks, or problems caused by the building itself. Ask your parent to report the issue in writing, even if it is just a short email. If they get no response and the home is becoming unsafe, the council’s environmental health team can step in.

Sometimes the root problem is that the home simply never warms up. This is common in older properties with thin walls or patchy insulation. A cold house fills with condensation much faster, especially when your parent is cooking, showering or drying clothes. If turning the heating on feels expensive or stressful, they may use it for short bursts, which actually makes condensation worse.

Try walking through the home with your parent to spot cold corners, damp wardrobes or unused rooms with no heating on. Simple steps like closing off draughts, adding thermal curtains or using low-energy electric heaters in one or two cold spaces can take the chill off without pushing bills sky high. If the building itself loses heat quickly, a profession

Damp and mould can make a home feel uncomfortable, cold and unhealthy. Small, steady habits like airing rooms, keeping gentle heating on and wiping away early signs of mould make a big difference. When the problem is bigger, it is worth calling a professional before the damage spreads.

Supporting your parent through this can feel like one more job on top of many others, but helping them keep their home dry and warm protects their health and gives everyone more peace of mind.

Reviewed by Dr Jackie Gray, January 2026