New guide offers top tips to prevent moisture in new-build homes

November 8, 2019
nhbc

As winter approaches – are you concerned about moisture in your new home? A new guide published today by the UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings (UKCMB) and supported by NHBC Foundation gives homeowners much-needed guidance on understanding moisture in newly built homes.

Moisture is naturally present in the air and during the construction process many materials used to build your home will retain moisture. Although it is something you won’t notice, construction moisture will steadily dry out over time.

Through our routine daily life activities, we can generate quite a large amount of moisture just by cooking, showering, washing clothes and breathing. New homes are designed to manage typical levels of moisture, but it is important that the ventilation and heating systems are used correctly.

Key recommendations for residents from the guide include:

Stop moisture spreading – extractor fans and cooker hoods – where fitted – should be used whenever water vapour is being produced – when cooking, washing and drying clothes and bathing

Open windows – if safe to do so to – let steamy air out and fresh air in

Keeping your trickle vents open – to reduce condensation. If it does appear on your windows, simply wipe it away

Keep your home well heated – especially in cool or cold weather

Clear household clutter – to allow for better air flow within and between rooms.

Donna Robinson, NHBC Foundation Research Manager said: ‘These simple day to day measures can really help residents minimise the amount of excess moisture in a new home. We need the right amount of moisture for comfort and good health – but not too damp and not too dry. This guide offers advice to help residents achieve a healthy home.’

For further advice and to download the guide please visit www.nhbcfoundation.org or www.ukcmb.org.

NHBC

NHBC is the leading warranty and insurance provider for new homes in the UK. NHBC's ten-year Buildmark warranty covers around 80% of new homes built in the UK,

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Rental demand drops to six-year low

Rental demand drops to six-year low as supply improves and rental growth slows to 2.2 per cent reports Zoopla   Demand for rented homes has fallen by a fifth over the last year and is the lowest for six years. There are 15% more homes for rent than last year, boosting choice for renters UK…
Read More →
Christmas Decorations - Good or Bad for Selling
Breaking News

Christmas move-in rush drives short-term rental spikes

Christmas move-in rush drives short-term rental spikes, while year-on-year affordability remains largely unchanged Year-on-year trends remain relatively stable, with most regions showing small changes in rent levels and required salaries. Short-term rental volatility is now the dominant driver of affordability shifts, with North East, Wales, South West, Yorkshire & Humberside, and parts of the Midlands…
Read More →
Breaking News

Dwelly reveals the strongest rental market for current returns

The latest research from Dwelly has highlighted which pockets of the British rental market are currently providing landlords with the greatest returns, helping them combat the incoming tax hikes announced in last week’s Autumn Budget. Dwelly analysed the latest Government house price data alongside the most recent rental market figures from the ONS to identify…
Read More →
Estate Agent Talk

How to find out when a property was built and why it’s important to know

A leading provider of niche and specialist insurance to the home insurance market, Stanhope, has provided a step-by-step guide to finding out when a property was built and explained why it is so important for the homeowner to know its age. Matthew Ashton a Director of Stanhope said: “Knowing the property’s age is crucial for…
Read More →
Breaking News

Five real estate opportunities to watch in 2026

By Daniel Austin, CEO and co-founder at ASK Partners The 2025 Autumn Budget offered limited stimulus for the housing market and, persistent headwinds such as sticky inflation, higher for longer interest rates, elevated construction costs, and slow planning processes continue to impact development viability. But there are still reasons for cautious optimism. The UK economy…
Read More →
Breaking News

Autumn Budget 2025: What It Means for Buyers, Renters and Landlords

Budget headlines for the property sector: Landlords and property investors are the most directly affected, with slightly higher tax on rental income and frozen tax thresholds. Very high‑value homeowners (£2m+) face a new recurring annual charge from 2028. Renters don’t see direct tax changes, but may end up paying more in rent due to increased…
Read More →