You’d be forgiven for thinking that people in the Western World live in relatively good conditions – but did you know that nearly half of all houses in Europe and North America have serious damp and mold problems. Anyone who’s moved house recently will probably have come across many properties with damp, stained walls and even growth of mold spores. But most people aren’t even aware of the problem. Damp and mould problems are often in hidden corners of your home and many times it resides inside walls where you can’t see it.
Illnesses
There are a number of frightening health issues caused by damp in the home.Many times people get hayfever-like symptoms as a result of damp – watery eyes, sneezing and nasal congestion.Far worse is the recent study in the UK which linked damp with causing asthma in children.You can also develop quite severe respiratory problems as a result of damp. Another recent study even revealed a connection between mold and depression!
Causes
So how does this silent predator manage to infect so many homes? Well the first thing to say is a bit of mould is entirely normal and can be found everywhere. But the real problems occur when it is allowed to spread and develop fungal spores.Mold occurs when there too much moisture in the atmosphere and it has nowhere to escape. Moisture builds up in a home from baths and showers, tumble dryers and cooking.But this moisture needs somewhere to go! Lack of ventilation can be down to poor workmanship and failure to ensure proper damp proofing when the home was built.Often there aren’t sufficient air vents in a property.Consider all the measures we take these days to keep heat in and cut energy bills – this often also keeps in the moisture.
Prevention is better than cure
Hopefully by know you’re convinced that mold in the home is something that needs preventative action. And just because you don’t already have damp, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do act now. Once it takes hold, it can be very difficult and expensive to get rid of it. Here are some top tips on how to avoid damp buildup in your home or workplace:
- Dry up any build up of condensation you notice around the house within 24-48 hours.If you take away the moisture, you leave no chance of mold building up in the first place.
- Ensure that you get proper ventilation in the building to give moisture an escape route.Investigate whether you can put in better vents, or just make sure you leave a window open during high moisture times.
- Be sure to have any cold surfaces insulated where possible – they’re the places where condensation often develop at home.
- It’s well worth considering investing in one of the many dehumidifiers out there to remove moisture from the atmosphere. Certain portable air conditioners also do the job, with the added bonus of keeping you cool in the summer.
- Know your rights.Most of the time the fault lies with someone else, and they could be held responsible if things get really bad. Find out from your home insurance to see if your policy covers mold damage. If you’re renting, get your landlord to hire professional mould inspectors to deal with the problem.
