How to Fix Condensation, Mould and Damp: 5 Ventilation Solutions That Work
Good ventilation means a healthier family, fresher air, and a home free from mould and damp.
Improving ventilation in your home isn’t just about stopping condensation or tackling the odd patch of mould.
It’s about creating a healthier, more comfortable living space for you and your family.
- Protects your health - reduces the risk of asthma, allergies, and other damp-related problems.
- Keeps air fresh - removes cooking smells, pet odours, and stale air.
- Protects your home - prevents long-term damage to walls, paintwork, and furniture.
- Saves money - modern systems balance humidity and recycle heat, cutting heating costs.
In short: good ventilation makes your home safer, healthier, and more enjoyable to live in – a benefit every homeowner should value.
5 Ventilation Solutions for Every Budget
Depending on the size of the problem, your budget, and how much disruption you can tolerate, there are a range of solutions available.
Mould Treatment
(Clean & Paint)
Solution 1
- Cheap, fast, easy DIY fix.
- Only cosmetic unless ventilation improves.
Extractor Fan (Bathroom/Kitchen)
Solution 2
- Automates moisture removal, low running cost.
- More suited for wet rooms or kitchens.
PIV Unit
(Loft Units)
Solution 3
- Whole house coverage, simple loft install, low maintenance.
- Doesn’t remove stale air at source, needs loft space.
MEV System
(Multi-Room Extract)
Solution 4
- Extracts continuously from multiple rooms, powerful solution.
- More complex install, higher upfront cost.
MVHR
(Heat Recovery Ventilation)
Solution 5
- Best air quality, recycles heat to save on bills, and keeps a steady flow of fresh filtered air throughout the whole property.
- Most expensive, disruptive installation.
📞 Need Help Choosing the Right Solution?
Every home is different, and the best way to fix condensation, mould, or damp depends on your property and budget. If you’re unsure which option is right for you, we’re here to help. Get in touch and start creating a healthier, fresher home today
👉 Call us today 020 8463 9696 (Mon to Fri 8am to 5:30pm)
👉 Write to us Submit Online Query
📞 Need Help Choosing the Right Solution?
👉 Call us today 020 8463 9696 (Mon to Fri 8am to 5:30pm)
👉 Write to us Submit Online Query
Treating Walls or Patches of Mould
Quick DIY fix for small mould patches
If you’re dealing with one patch of mould, usually on an outside wall or in a corner, the quickest and cheapest option is to treat and prevent regrowth.
- Mould Surface Cleaner will remove existing mould safely and effectively.
🎥 Watch Video: How to Clean Black Mould on Walls and Ceilings - Anti-Mould Paint Additive can be mixed with existing paints or grouts.
🎥 Watch Video: How to Use Anti Mould Additive for Paint - Or use Anti Mould Paint which is already pre mixed with the antifungal additive for ease.
- Low cost solution
- Quick and simple
- Delays regrowth of mould
This solution can last through the cold months and, with decent ventilation, even up to five years after using the anti mould additive or paint. It’s ideal for those who want a budget-friendly short-term fix.
- Cost & Setup Overview
- DIY - Can usually do it yourself
- Several Hours
Bathroom or Kitchen Humidity Extraction
Removes steam and odours from single rooms
Bathrooms are prime spots for mould because of daily showers and poor airflow. If mould keeps returning in one room:
If have existing mould problem, start with the cleaner and anti-mould paint solution above.
Install a new extractor fan preferably a humidistat fan that turns on automatically when humidity rises, so you don’t need to remember to switch it on.
- 🎥Watch Video: Best Extractor Fan for Condensation & Mould?
- Prevents mould & damp
- Bathrooms & Kitchens
- Removes steam & odours
- Energy efficient
- Low maintenance
Installation at a Glance
If you’re replacing an existing extractor fan, the job is usually straightforward since you can often reuse the existing ducting, though an electrician will still be needed to complete the wiring safely. If you’re installing a new fan from scratch, a hole must be drilled through the wall to the outside, a short ducting pipe fitted with an external grille, and the unit wired in by an electrician.
- Estimated Unit & Install Cost, Time
- £20 - £120
- £100 - £150
- 30-60 minutes
Whole House Ventilation & Fresh Air Supply
Pushes filtered air in from the loft
If damp affects several rooms, or you’re tired of chasing mould around the house, a Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) unit may be the best step.
A PIV unit sits in your loft and gently pushes fresh, filtered air into the home. This creates positive pressure, moving moist, stale air out through natural leaks (like trickle vents or gaps).
🎥Watch Video: Is Your House Making You Sick from Mould?PIVs are surprisingly easy to install, especially if there’s already power in your loft.
🎥Watch Video: How to Install the Nuaire Drimaster PIV Unit- No Loft? For homes without loft space take a look at the Nuaire Flatmaster ventilation units.
- Prevents mould & damp
- Whole house coverage
- Improves indoor air quality
- Simple installation
- Minimal maintenance
Installation at a Glance
A PIV unit is relatively straightforward to install, as all the needed ducting is provided and can be connected by following the simple instructions. The main task is cutting one input vent into the ceiling from the loft, though most households will still need an electrician to connect the unit safely to power.
- Estimated Unit & Install Cost, Time
- £260 - £500
- £150 - £350 (Possible DIY)
- 1-3 hours
Multi-Bathroom, Kitchen or Room Extraction with MEV
Continuously extracts moist air from several rooms
For larger homes, or properties with multiple bathrooms, a Mechanical Extract Ventilation (MEV) system works well.
- Installed in the loft, an MEV continuously extracts air from multiple points commonly the bathroom, en suite, kitchen, hallway or bedrooms.
- An MEV system needs just one main output vent to the outside.
- Perfect for homes with multiple upstairs bathrooms and en suites, providing silent 24/7 extraction.
- Works quietly in the background, improving indoor air quality and removes stale & moist air without the need to switch individual fans on and off.
- Prevents mould & damp
- Multi-room extraction
- Removes stale indoor air
- Ideal for larger homes
- Quiet 24/7 moisture control
Installation at a Glance
An MEV system can be tackled as a DIY project if you’re confident with plastic ducting and working in the loft, but it does require careful planning and time. The setup typically involves cutting up to three ceiling holes for the internal extract valves, along with one main vent to the outside for air discharge.
Most homeowners will still need an electrician to connect and power the unit safely.
- Estimated Unit & Install Cost, Time
- £200 - £600
- £300 - £700 (Possible DIY)
- 2-5 hours
- Plastic Ducting Required 🔗
- Flexible Ducting Required 🔗
Heat Recovery Ventilation: The Premium Solution
Recovers heat while supplying fresh clean air
For the best long-term solution, a Heat Recovery Ventilation (MVHR) system. It recovers heat from outgoing moist air to warm incoming fresh air, giving you clean, filtered airflow without wasting energy.
- Provides continuous air circulation that reduces condensation and mould.
- Saves on heating bills by recycling warmth from extracted air.
- Improves indoor air quality by filtering dust, pollen, and pollutants.
- Installed in the loft or utility space, with the main unit connected to ducting throughout the house.
- Whole house system requires two external wall vents (one for fresh air intake, one for exhaust) plus multiple internal supply and extract valves in key rooms.
- Prevents mould & damp
- Cuts heating energy costs
- Removes stale and polluted air
- Whole house fresh air supply
- Quiet 24/7 moisture control
- Improves indoor air quality
- Ideal for modern airtight homes
Installation at a Glance
MVHR systems can be tackled as a larger DIY project if you’re confident with planning duct runs and fitting multiple supply and extract valves, but an electrician will still be needed to complete the wiring safely.
Single-room HRV units are simpler, usually requiring just one hole in the wall.
Whole-house systems are more complex, needing one fresh air intake, one exhaust outlet, and several internal supply and extract valves throughout the property. For the best results and balanced airflow, a professional survey from an MEP or HVAC consultant is often recommended.
- Estimated Unit & Install Cost, Time
- £300 - £2000+
- £200 - £800 (Possible Some DIY)
- 2 to 8+ hours
- Plastic Ducting Required 🔗
- Flexible Ducting Required 🔗
⚠️ Important Safety & Advice Notice
Prices shown are estimates as of September 2025 and may vary by property and region. This guide is intended as a simple overview of common ventilation solutions, not a fully comprehensive installation plan.
- Always consult with an MEP or HVAC consultant before attempting DIY ventilation work.
- Wiring must only be carried out by a qualified electrician.
- Every home is different, and some mould or damp issues may require specialist surveys or tailored solutions.
📞 Need Help Choosing the Right Solution?
Every home is different, and the best way to fix condensation, mould, or damp depends on your property and budget. If you’re unsure which option is right for you, we’re here to help. Get in touch and start creating a healthier, fresher home today
👉 Call us today 020 8463 9696 (Mon to Fri 8am to 5:30pm)
👉 Write to us Submit Online Query
📞 Need Help Choosing the Right Solution?
👉 Call us today 020 8463 9696 (Mon to Fri 8am to 5:30pm)
👉 Write to us Submit Online Query
When to Call a Damp Specialist
Ventilation solves the majority of condensation-related issues, but not every damp problem is caused by poor airflow. If your home has rising damp, penetrating leaks, or structural damage, you’ll need a professional damp survey. This is especially important in older properties, where damp can stem from cracked render, faulty gutters, or a damaged damp-proof course.
Key Takeaway
Condensation, mould, and damp are most common in the UK winter months but they’re not inevitable. The root cause is usually poor ventilation, and the solutions range from simple mould cleaner and paint, through extractor fans and PIV units, to whole-house MVHR systems.
Whatever your budget, there’s an option to suit. Start small if you must but remember: long-term protection and healthy indoor air always come from proper ventilation.
Reduces condensation and mould
Helps stop damp patches, peeling paint, and black mould from forming by regulating humidity levels.
Keeps your home fresher
Removes lingering cooking smells, pet odours, and stuffiness.
Protects your health
Lowers the risk of allergies, asthma flare-ups, and respiratory problems linked to mould and stale air.
Saves money long-term
Prevents costly repairs caused by damp and can improve heating efficiency when paired with the right system.
Adds value to your property
A dry, well-ventilated home is more attractive to buyers and tenants.
Improves sleep and comfort
Clean, balanced airflow makes bedrooms less humid and more comfortable at night.