Housing home user guide

d. Cracks
During the construction period, many buildings take in moisture and may take
up to 12 months to completely dry out. As the building dries out, the wood
and plaster in it will shrink and might cause small cracks to appear. Do not be
alarmed! These do not affect the structure of the building and can be filled
when the house is redecorated.
If there are any very large cracks, the builder will fill them in at the end of
the12 month defects period. Please do not re-decorate in the first 12 months,
as any wall repairs will be carried out by the contractor and any re-decoration
will be to original colours.
e. Condensation
Condensation is formed when steam or water vapour in a room touches a
cold surface – it then turns to water. This is a common problem in new
buildings.
These steps will help reduce the condensation in your home:
Produce less moisture:
o Some ordinary daily activities produce a lot of moisture very quickly
o Cover pans and do not leave kettles boiling
o Dry washing outdoors on you rotary line, or put it in the bathroom with the
door closed and the window open or fan on.
Ventilate to remove moisture:
o If you have a mechanical ventilation system built in, make sure it is on all the
time.
o Keep a small window ajar when someone is in the room, breathing creates
moisture.
o Ventilate kitchens and bathrooms when in use by slightly opening the
windows
o Close the kitchen and bathroom doors when these rooms are in use, to help
prevent moisture reaching other rooms.
o Ventilate cupboards and wardrobes, avoid putting too much in them to allow
air to circulate. Leave a small gap between walls and furniture, don’t leave
items leant against walls for long periods of time.
To kill and remove mould: wipe down frames and walls with a fungicidal wash which
carries a Health and Safety Executive ‘approval number’. Follow the manufacturer’s