How to Prevent Damp and Mould in Your Home

Damp and mould are two very common indoor health hazards that are closely related to each other. Depending on how bad a situation is, this sinister combination can weaken the immune system, cause respiratory and ocular (eye) infections, lead to eczema and/or other allergic reactions, aggravate asthmatic symptoms, and increase susceptibility to several other diseases.

Thankfully, it is possible to prevent mould growth altogether, providing that you notice the damp early on. The following steps are proven methods that any homeowner can use to prevent moisture damage and fungal growths from getting out of hand.

Allow Air to Enter the House During Warmer Months

Open windows and skylights during spring and summer months, so that the stale and moist indoor air can be refreshed with fresh air from the outside. This applies to all rooms, but the kitchen and bathroom in particular must be ventilated regularly to prevent damp and mould formation.

Install a Home Ventilation System (MVHR)

You just can’t open doors and windows for the sake of ventilation when it’s freezing outside. Doing so would let the heat out, and consequently boost your heating bills. On top of that, living in an underheated home can cause its inhabitants to catch a cold or develop a respiratory infection just as easily.

To keep your home ventilated during the winter months, install a home ventilation system. MVHR units can prevent stale/infected air circulation, heat loss (90% or more of the heat is retained), costly electricity bills, indoor moisture retention and mould growth. Perfect insulation during the winter months is what leads to the growth of indoor mould in the first place. An adequately sized MVHR unit can change that in your favour.

Get the Plumbing Checked for Leaks Every Few Months

Pipes in a wet wall can leak or crack sometimes, creating severe water logging problems. Get your plumbing checked every few months, and especially during and after the winter. When a leak is not addressed at the earliest stages, the accumulating water will eventually damage the walls and allow mould to grow freely on the inside of your walls. Danford, Brewer & Ives will provide the best services for proofing.

Check the Roof for Water Clogging

After a thunderstorm, and during the entire rainy season, roofs must be checked frequently to clear water clogged gutters and clean out any water that might be pooling in the roof’s cracks. In case you do have cracks on your roof, or there are missing/broken shingles, get them fixed as soon as you can. Cracks allow water to seep deep inside the roof, leading to damp spots, mould growth and eventually, structural compromise.

Note that although it is possible to prevent mould growth if you can get rid of the damp early on, that may not always be an option. If mould has already grown enough to cover a significant portion of any surface, professionals will need to be called in to remove the fungus first. The necessary renovations and installations can only happen after the fungus has been eradicated completely.