Mould and Damp in the House: How to Fix It?

Mould and moisture work hand in hand. The moister a certain environment is, the better the mould will grow there. Mould is not always bad.

In nature, mould has the purpose of breaking down dead and decaying matter and turning it into nutrients for the environment, but when it comes to the indoor environment of our homes, it needs to be strictly avoided. If there is mould growing in your home, or if a certain area appears damp and musty, you need to treat it promptly in order to avoid structural damage and potential health issues. If left untreated, the consequences will prove far too costly.

This article will dive into some of the practical ways to get rid of mould and dampness in your home. It will teach you how to identify, prevent, and remove mould and dampness. Everything you need to know will be covered here – ventilation, moisture control, effective cleaning and long-term preventive measures. So, whether you’re dealing with a minor problem or are getting ready for a more meticulous bond cleaning in Brisbane situation, these insights will help you restore the health of your humble abode.

1. Identifying the Causes of Dampness

Before you get down to business, it’s important to identify the root cause of the dampness in your home. Dampness can be the result of 3 primary sources:

• Rising Damp – This occurs when groundwater seeps up through the walls and floors of your home due to the lack of an effective damp proof course.
• Penetrating Damp – This is caused by an external water leak seeping into the home through cracks, damaged roof tiles or faulty gutters.
• Condensation – The most common cause of damp is from everyday activities like cooking, showering and drying clothes indoors without proper ventilation.

Recognising these sources will help you effectively deal with the problem and implement the appropriate solution for fixing the root cause.

2. Improving Ventilation

One of the most effective ways of combating mould is by improving the ventilation in your home. When there is poor airflow in a space, it raises the moisture levels and creates the perfect breeding ground for the mould.

So, you must take a few simple steps to keep these pests at bay. Firstly, keep the windows open whenever possible, especially in kitchens and bathrooms. Secondly, use exhaust fans in high-moisture areas like the bathroom and laundry room. You can also install trickle vents in the windows to allow continuous airflow without creating drafts inside the home.

Proper ventilation is crucial to the bond cleaning process for tenants who will soon be vacating their rental. Most tenants will employ professional services like the expert Bond Cleaning Brisbane team to ensure any issues like moisture build-up or mould in certain areas are effectively dealt with.

3. Controlling Indoor Moisture Levels

Another effective way of dealing with mould is through growth prevention. Even small amounts of excess moisture can lead to persistent damp conditions. Some effective moisture control tips include using dehumidifiers in rooms that are prone to becoming damp, keeping your furniture slightly away from walls to allow air circulation, drying your clothes outdoors instead of indoors and wiping down wet surfaces immediately (like shower walls, kitchen tiles, etc.)

Regular cleaning and moisture control will help you easily maintain a dry and mould-free home environment.

4. Effective Mould Removal Techniques

Once you spot mould in any part of your home, it is important to remove it quickly and effectively. While most people recommend using bleach, it is only useful in removing surface-level mould. This does not address the underlying cause. Instead, you can try a few other, more effective options.

One of the most commonly used solutions is to spray some white vinegar on areas where there is mould. You let this sit for an hour before scrubbing it away with a brush. Another is to use a baking soda and water paste, which you apply to the affected areas and scrub it away after it has dried up. Hydrogen peroxide is also an effective mould killer. Simply spray the hydrogen peroxide solution directly onto the affected area and wipe it clean.

If the mould problem in your home is more stubborn, it’s better to hire professionals to deal with it. Hire a team of experts from Bond Cleaning Brisbane to ensure a more thorough removal and help in long-term prevention.

5. Repairing Damp Damage

If the dampness has caused damage to your home’s walls, floors or ceilings, repair will be necessary to restore it. Some of the common fixes include:

• Repainting with Mould Resistant Paint: After cleaning the mould, repaint the affected areas with mould resistant paint to prevent the issues from resurfacing in the future.
• Replacing Damaged Plaster or Wood: Severely damaged materials may need to be replaced to prevent further structural deterioration.
• Fixing Leaks and Waterproofing: Identify areas in your home where there may be leaks, such as in pipes, roofs, or gutters, and get them repaired to prevent further moisture build up.

Addressing these repairs in a prompt manner will help you prevent dampness and mould issues in the home.

6. Long-term Prevention Strategies

To prevent mould and dampness from returning, homeowners and tenants need to implement long-term preventive strategies. You should inspect your home regularly for leaks, condensation build up, or ventilation issues, and if you find any, address them promptly. When repairing, rebuilding, or renovating, use mould resistant materials for your flooring, ceiling, wall coverings, and paints for areas that are at high risk of mould development.

In addition to this, you can also maintain your gutters and roofs. Keep the gutters clear and if you find any leaks in the roof, repair them immediately to stop water infiltration. If you are planning on vacating a rental property, ensuring there is no mould anywhere on the premises is essential to securing a full bond refund.

Fixing Mould and Damp in the House

Wrapping up

Mould and damp are common household problems, and the only way to appropriately deal with them is by following the above mentioned steps. If you take these steps, you’ll be able to find long-term solutions for the issue and help maintain the healthy atmosphere of your premises. Start today and see the difference. Happy Cleaning!