The discovery of damp is never something anyone wants to see, and indeed it can be deceptively easy to miss. A room may look clean with no tell-tale smell of damp, but it can often be found lurking upon moving a set of shelves or a sofa. It’s bad enough when it’s found in your own home, but when it’s in your pub or restaurant, it’s an unsightly health concern for your customers.
So what’s the best thing to do? We at Trent Furniture have put together our best advice to help protect your furniture, and avoid damp and mould from becoming an issue interfering with your business.
What causes damp?
There are multiple types of damp. Each type will manifest differently due to various causes, and in turn have varying degrees of severity. In this article we will be focusing on the most common type affecting furniture, which is caused by condensation – if your damp problem is widespread across your walls for example, then it is most likely to be the result of rising or penetrating damp.
When damp is only found in isolated spots behind your furniture, then the culprit is usually the water content of the air. When moist air becomes trapped in badly ventilated spaces such as behind furniture, it becomes stagnant and condenses, resulting in patches of bacteria-ridden damp. This excess moisture can be from cooking, drying clothes, or even something as simple as sweating.
What are some other factors affecting damp?
Being mindful of the temperature of your establishment is a must. Warm air holds far more moisture than cold air, and this is a particular problem during the winter months when radiators are on high heat for long periods of time. Combined with closed windows, warm air will automatically settle on cold surfaces due to the lack of ventilation, meaning that your prized furniture is at risk.
Our top tips
The two key areas to focus on when protecting your furniture from damp and mould are furniture placement and ventilation. Tackle these factors early before disaster strikes! By moving your sofas a few inches away from the walls, there is a marked increase in airflow, ensuring that the stagnant moisture can’t settle on their surfaces. To aid with this, open your windows even on cold days to air rooms out, and promote better air circulation.
Another excellent option is purchasing a dehumidifier, or multiple if it is a large room. They are an affordable way to prevent moist air from condensing on your furniture, as they remove moisture from the air for it to condense inside them, instead of on your furniture. Extractor fans and air vents will further help keep the damp at bay, particularly in humid places like kitchens and bathrooms.
Are there any other ideas?
Yes! Getting into a routine of small changes will make all the difference. A useful tip is to avoid large temperature changes that happen quickly, as this will encourage condensation to build up in bursts on surfaces. Instead, try to heat up or cool down your spaces in small increments – and for those rooms that are especially damp-prone, regulate their temperatures so they remain relatively warm. Regularly wiping down damp hotspots will further help to stop damp in its tracks before it has the chance to inflict lasting damage.
In short, by rectifying any particularly poorly ventilated areas and remaining vigilant for build-up of moisture and mould in problem areas, you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that you have taken adequate steps to protect your furniture. Your customers will thank you for it!
Looking for a furniture upgrade? As the experts in all things contract furniture, we at Trent Furniture are on hand to help. Browse our full range of products today, or contact us by phone on 0116 2986 866 or by email at sales@trentfurniture.co.uk with any enquiries.