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Preventing Mould in a Holiday Home in São Martinho do Porto: A Practical Handbook
The sheltered scallop-shaped bay of São Martinho do Porto is one of the Silver Coast's most charming spots — and one of its most humid. For owners who visit only once or twice a year, mould is the single biggest threat to the value, comfort and healthiness of their home. This handbook explains why it happens and exactly how to prevent it.
How fast mould really appears

In a closed, unventilated coastal home, mould can establish itself in just 4–6 weeks. It doesn't need much: moisture in the air, a cool surface to condense on, and a little organic material (dust, paint, plaster, fabric) to feed on. All three are present in an empty São Martinho home over winter.

Where it starts

Mould almost always appears first in predictable places:

  • Cold external walls, especially north-facing
  • Behind and beneath furniture pushed against walls
  • Inside wardrobes and closed cupboards
  • Bathroom corners, grout and around windows
  • Behind curtains and inside stored bedding
  • A prevention checklist for absent owners

  1. Control the source air. Aim to keep indoor humidity under 55%. Leave a dehumidifier running on a drain line if possible.
  2. Use moisture absorbers in enclosed spaces — wardrobes, storage rooms, under sinks. Crucially, remember they saturate within weeks and then stop working entirely; they must be replaced.
  3. Pull furniture 5–10 cm away from external walls so air can circulate behind it.
  4. Leave interior and wardrobe doors slightly open to prevent dead, stagnant pockets of air.
  5. Empty and prop open the fridge if leaving for months.
  6. Remove or seal fabrics — mattresses, cushions and bedding absorb moisture and smell.
  7. Arrange regular ventilation — the one thing that makes the biggest difference and the one thing an empty house can't do for itself.
  8. Dealing with existing mould

If you already have mould, don't just paint over it. Clean small areas with an appropriate anti-mould solution, address the moisture source, and improve ventilation — otherwise it returns within weeks. Large or recurring growth needs professional treatment and an investigation into whether there's a leak or structural cold-bridging.

The reality of remote ownership

One São Martinho owner told us that after her first unmanaged winter, she returned to "mould on the walls and a musty smell that took weeks to get rid of." After starting regular visits, she hasn't had a single issue since. That's the difference consistency makes. At DryHome, mould prevention — ventilation, humidity control and absorber replacement — is the core of what we do, with a photo report after every visit so you can see the condition of your home for yourself.

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