Damp, mould and condensation help in Tenterden

What Tenterden's buildings ask of you

Tenterden is in the TN30 postcode district, in the Weald to the south of Ashford. It has the largest conservation area in the Ashford district, and its town centre is known for timber-framed and weatherboarded buildings, many with mathematical tiles. Many of the buildings date from the eighteenth century, when the town did well from wool and cloth.

Where the damp tends to come from

• Weatherboard and tile-hung walls. Cladding keeps rain off but hides what is behind it. A failed board or tile lets water into the frame and you may see the damp inside long before you see the cause outside.
• Roofs and gutters. Old roofs have valleys, parapets and chimney flashings that wear. Check them before you assume condensation.
• Properties above shops. Flats above High Street shops have the same moisture sources as any home, with the added complication of shared walls and roofs.
• Later extensions. Cold junctions at the join are a common spot for mould.

Working in a conservation area

Planning rules can apply to changes that affect the outside of a building in a conservation area, and to anything done to a listed building. Check with the council first. Internal equipment that does not alter the exterior is a different matter from changes to windows, walls and roofs, so ask.

Where Dryzen fits

Dryzen suits owner-occupied homes with a loft, because the unit is mounted there. It is not suitable for rental properties unless the landlord authorises the changes. Each unit is rated for 150 square metres, and adding units increases extraction in larger homes. The survey is free and covers whether your loft is suitable.

What humidity should a Tenterden home aim for?

Humidity above about 60 to 65 percent for long periods suits mould and damp-loving pests such as silverfish and booklice, according to extension-service guidance. Keeping a Tenterden home near 50 to 55 percent helps stop those conditions. It does not kill pests already present. For the full evidence, calculator and printable cheat sheet, see The Healthy Home Humidity Guide.

Quick questions

Is Tenterden within your area?

Yes. We cover Tenterden and the surrounding Weald villages from our Ashford base.

My weatherboard house has damp inside. What should I check?

Look for failed boards, gaps at windows and sills, gutters, and the roof, before looking at condensation.

Do I need permission to install a Dryzen system in a listed building?

Possibly. Speak to the council's conservation officer before any work.

What humidity level is healthy in a home?

Roughly 50 to 55 percent relative humidity is a sensible target, within the 40 to 60 percent band commonly suggested. Sustained readings above about 60 to 65 percent favour mould and dust mites. A dehumidifier does not kill mould, bed bugs or fleas, it helps stop the conditions they depend on. See our healthy humidity guide.

Sources: Tenterden, Britain Express; Tenterden Town Guide; Historic England: Insulating walls in historic buildings