Protecting Your Venue's Furniture From Damp

Discovering damp in your venue is never something you want to see and may cause you to worry. It can be very easy to miss, a room may look clean with no smell of damp, but it is usually found when moving furniture. It’s not nice finding it in your own home, let alone your pub or restaurant where lots of people come and go. It can be a health concern for your customers.

There are a few different types of damp. Due to various causes, damp will develop differently and have differing severity. We will focus on the most common type that affects furniture. This is caused by condensation. If your damp is across your walls, it will most likely be rising or penetrating damp.

If damp is only found in isolated spots behind your furniture, then the cause is most likely the water content of the air. When moist air becomes trapped in badly ventilated spaces like behind furniture, it becomes stagnant and condenses. This results in patches of bacteria-ridden damp. Excess moisture could be from cooking, drying clothes, or even sweating.
Some other factors that affect damp are being mindful of the temperature of your venue. Warm air holds a lot more moisture than cold air. This is a problem, particularly in the winter months when radiators are on for long periods. If your windows are closed, warm air will settle on cold surfaces due to the lack of ventilation.

When protecting your furniture from damp, the key areas to focus on are furniture placement and ventilation. We suggest tackling these factors early. You can do this by moving sofas a few inches away from the wall. This will increase airflow meaning moisture can’t settle on surfaces. In addition, open your windows to air rooms out, even on cold days. This promotes better air circulation.

A great addition is to buy dehumidifiers. These prevent moist air from condensing on your furniture by removing the moisture from the air. They are affordable too. In kitchens and bathrooms, extractor fans and air vents will help keep the damp at bay.

Lastly, a useful tip is to avoid big temperature changes that happen quickly. This will encourage condensation to build up. Instead, heat the room or cool it down gradually. In damp-prone rooms, regulate their temperatures so they remain warm. Wiping down damp hotspots regularly will help stop damp before it has the chance to inflict damage.
In conclusion, by correcting poorly ventilated rooms and remaining vigilant for the build-up of moisture and mould, you can feel confident that you have taken adequate steps to protect your furniture.

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