Leeds residents facing £13,200 damp home repair bills as city named mould hotspot
Leeds has been named the UK’s worst city for damp and mould, with residents searching for solutions online more than anywhere else in the country.
New research by Applicances Direct has released the Damp & Mould Hotspots study which analysed Google search data for damp and mould advice across the UK and found Leeds recorded the highest proportion of searches per person, with almost nine searches per month per 1,000 residents (totalling around 4,500 searches every month).
Fellow Yorkshire city Sheffield also ranked within the UK’s top 10 damp and mould hotspots, coming in at 10th place.
Leeds’ long, wet winters and cooler temperatures make it particularly vulnerable to damp-related issues. The city’s wetter season lasts for around eight months of the year, almost double that of some southern cities, while average daytime temperatures during this period reach just 9°C.
UK's damp and mould hotspots
- Leeds
- Bristol
- Liverpool
- Coventry
- Edinburgh
- Newcastle-upon-Tyne
- London
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Cardiff
- Sheffield
Following an exceptionally wet January across the UK, homeowners are being urged to look out for early signs of damp and mould, which can lead to expensive repairs and serious health problems if left untreated.
The NHS is thought to spend £1.4 billion a year treating illnesses linked to cold, damp homes, with wider economic costs estimated to exceed £15 billion annually.
An estimated 1.28 million homes across the UK are affected by damp and mould, with exposure linked to respiratory issues, asthma flare-ups and infections, and it's children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions who are particularly at risk.
Sam Carter, radiator and heating expert at Appliances Direct said: “With the UK’s wet climate and a high proportion of older homes, it’s no surprise that damp and mould remain a major concern, especially in cities like Leeds - rising energy bills make it harder for households to keep homes warm and well-ventilated.
“Damp can enter a home through external maintenance issues, rising damp, or everyday activities like showering, cooking and drying clothes indoors. When homes are cold or poorly ventilated, this moisture can quickly turn into mould, which is expensive to remove and repair, whilst also being damaging to health.
“If left untreated, it can lead to costly repairs, which average at around £9,900-£13,200, making early prevention far more cost-effective than repair.”
Six ways to prevent damp and mould in the home - saving homeowners thousands in repairs
According to Sam, small changes can make a big difference:
Be careful when drying clothes indoors: Drying laundry inside releases large amounts of moisture into the air. If indoor drying is unavoidable, use a well-ventilated room, open windows slightly. You could also try a dehumidifier to prevent damp from forming. Laundry Dehumidifiers can dry your clothes up to four times faster than using an airer alone, and you won’t need to crowd your radiators with clothes.
Keep your home warm and evenly heated: Cold surfaces encourage condensation when warm, moist air hits. If you’re out during the day, don’t simply turn off your heating; keep it at a maintenance temperature of around 14°C. This will prevent moisture from settling on walls and windows. It’ll save you money in the long run too, as rooms will heat up quicker once you’re home. It takes less energy to bump a room from 15°C to 20°C than it does to drag it from 8°C up to 20°C.
Watch for early warning signs inside: Bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms and external-facing walls are most prone to damp and mould as they get cold. Look out for condensation, musty smells, peeling paint or dark patches, and act quickly if they appear.
Don’t cover it up: Covering up damp and mould with paint or cleaning sprays without addressing the underlying moisture problem won’t work and can often make the problem worse. Though cleaning might work for small areas where bathroom grout has discoloured, in other areas of the home, mould will soon return as the cause is ignored.
Find the right tools and appliances: A dehumidifier can help manage excess moisture, while adequate heating and functioning radiators play a key role in preventing condensation and mould growth. Easy tricks like bleeding radiators can also help maintain warm temperatures within the home.
Burp your house like a German: There’s a German practice called “lüften,” which translates to “airing out”. Throw open your windows for 5-10 minutes in winter to fill your home with fresh, dry air. It’s so ingrained in German culture that landlords there might actually write it into a tenant lease to prevent mould damage. It’s a good idea to do this after a shower or whilst cooking too, to avoid trapping excess moisture inside.
For more advice and data findings, view the full Damp & Mould Hotspots Report.