{"id":5038,"date":"2026-09-30T12:14:14","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T12:14:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mywarmhome.co.uk\/stage\/?post_type=mwh_cpd_course&p=5038"},"modified":"2026-10-05T08:13:50","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T08:13:50","slug":"damp-and-mould-cpd1","status":"publish","type":"mwh_cpd_course","link":"https:\/\/mywarmhome.co.uk\/stage\/cpd-course\/damp-and-mould-cpd1\/","title":{"rendered":"Damp, Mould & Moisture \u2014 Free CPD Taster"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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FREE CPD TASTER \/ DAMP, MOULD & MOISTURE<\/p>\n\n\n

Look for the cause, not just the mould.<\/h1>\n\n\n

This introductory MyWarmHome CPD module looks at how moisture, temperature, ventilation, insulation continuity and everyday use of a home can combine to create damp and mould problems.<\/p>\n\n\n

OPEN-BOOK LEARNING \u00b7 APPROX. 30 MINUTES \u00b7 KNOWLEDGE CHECK<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Before you start<\/h2>\n\n\n

Mould is evidence that conditions have supported growth. It is not, by itself, a diagnosis of the cause. A good investigation asks where the moisture comes from, what the surface temperature is doing, how air moves through the home, whether there is a defect, and what has changed.<\/p>\n\n\n

A useful question on site is: \u201cWhen did this start, and what changed before it started?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

This is independent learning material. Employers, professional bodies and regulators may set their own requirements for what they accept as CPD.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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01 \/ MOISTURE & RELATIVE HUMIDITY<\/p>\n\n\n

The air already contains water.<\/h2>\n\n\n

People, cooking, bathing and drying clothes all add water vapour to indoor air. Relative humidity (RH) describes how much water vapour is present compared with the maximum the air could hold at that temperature. When air cools, its relative humidity rises even if no extra moisture has been added.<\/p>\n\n\n

For this taster, use roughly 1\u20132 litres per person per day<\/strong> as an order-of-magnitude reminder for moisture released through breathing and perspiration. The real amount varies with activity, temperature and the person, so it is not a design constant.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
Read: Moisture balance \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n\n
Read: Relative humidity \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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02 \/ VENTILATION & WET ROOMS<\/p>\n\n\n

Remove moisture close to where it is produced.<\/h2>\n\n\n

Extraction in bathrooms, kitchens and other wet rooms helps remove moisture and pollutants at source before they spread through the dwelling. But the presence of a fan does not prove that the ventilation is effective. Operation, airflow, ducting, maintenance and a route for replacement air all matter.<\/p>\n\n\n

On site: don\u2019t just ask \u201cIs there a fan?\u201d Ask \u201cIs it actually moving the required air?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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Read: Ventilation \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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03 \/ COLD SURFACES & INSULATION CONTINUITY<\/p>\n\n\n

A small cold spot can change the whole diagnosis.<\/h2>\n\n\n

Condensation does not only happen on windows. If part of a wall or ceiling becomes sufficiently cold, the air immediately next to that surface can reach a much higher relative humidity than the air measured in the centre of the room. Missing, displaced or poorly detailed insulation can therefore create a local mould risk.<\/p>\n\n

\"Real-world\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure><\/div>

REAL-WORLD CASE<\/p>

The mould appeared only after recent roof access for solar wiring. The diagnostic clue was not just the mould \u2014 it was the timeline.<\/p>

Read: Thermal bridges \u2192<\/a><\/div>
Read: Loft insulation \u2192<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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04 \/ COATINGS, SEALERS & DRYING<\/p>\n\n\n

Covering the stain is not the same as fixing the cause.<\/h2>\n\n\n

Repeated repainting may temporarily hide staining or mould, but if the wall is still getting wet or repeatedly reaching conditions that support growth, the symptom can return. An unsuitable impermeable coating can also reduce drying potential in some constructions. The correct response is to identify the moisture source and understand the wall build-up before specifying a treatment.<\/p>\n\n

\"Recurring\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure><\/div>

REAL-WORLD CASE<\/p>

This wall had been painted several times to hide what was behind it. The staining returned each time. If the stain keeps coming back, the paint probably isn\u2019t the problem \u2014 and it isn\u2019t the cure either.<\/p>

Read: Moisture balance \u2192<\/a><\/div>
Read: Internal wall insulation \u2192<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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05 \/ AIR MOVEMENT & HIDDEN SURFACES<\/p>\n\n\n

The conditions behind furniture can be different from the room.<\/h2>\n\n\n

A wardrobe against an external wall restricts air movement and can shield the wall from room heat. The surface behind it may stay colder, while moisture released by occupants remains in the air. That combination can create musty smells, condensation or mould even when a humidity reading taken elsewhere in the room looks acceptable.<\/p>\n\n\n

The same principle applies to cold corners, bed headboards, cupboards and other places where air circulation is limited.<\/p>\n\n

\"Wardrobe\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure><\/div>

REAL-WORLD CASE<\/p>

A large wardrobe was positioned against an external wall. Furniture can restrict both room heat and air movement, so the conditions behind it may be much colder and more humid than a reading taken in the open room.<\/p>

Read: Moisture balance \u2192<\/a><\/div>
Read: Condensation \u2192<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Take the diagnosis with you<\/h2>\n\n\n

When you see mould, ask: Where is it? When did it start? What changed? Where is the moisture coming from? Is the surface unusually cold? How is air moving? Is there a defect or interrupted insulation?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

Now complete the open-book knowledge check below.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A practical, open-book introduction to moisture, ventilation, cold surfaces, coatings and real-world mould diagnosis.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-5038","mwh_cpd_course","type-mwh_cpd_course","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mywarmhome.co.uk\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/mwh_cpd_course\/5038","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mywarmhome.co.uk\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/mwh_cpd_course"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mywarmhome.co.uk\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/mwh_cpd_course"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/mywarmhome.co.uk\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/mwh_cpd_course\/5038\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5233,"href":"https:\/\/mywarmhome.co.uk\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/mwh_cpd_course\/5038\/revisions\/5233"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mywarmhome.co.uk\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5038"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}