Mould And Mildew

Is mould and mildew a problem? They can be a trigger of allergies, asthma and other allergic reactions in the home. Here we explain what they are, how they can cause you distress and how to minimise or eliminate exposure to them.

There is nothing worse than cleaning out cupboards and shelves to find clothes and other valued belongings damaged by mould and mildew – a result of humid conditions which allow mould and mildew to multiply and cause musty odours and unsightly clusters.

Mould is caused by a build up of moist air in rooms that have poor ventilation, or in places that are permanently humid and damp.

Dampness in the home can be caused by a variety of factors including location, orientation, and poorly maintained external building structure.

High relative humidity can be caused by a combination of inadequate ventilation and water vapour condensation on cold surfaces such as windows in bathrooms and kitchens as well as the inside surface of external walls such as basements and below ground floor levels.

The damaging affects of humidity in the home include damp patches on walls causing wood work and plaster work to be damaged, wallpaper to peel.

Mould spores, likened to fungus seeds, can float in the air and then grow where they settle. It is a significant potential problem in homes where there is persistent dampness and high relative humidity levels. Dampness in the home is not only associated with mould spores, but also increased levels of house dustmite and cockroach infestations.

Most common mould spores are those relating to Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp. which grow well wherever the air reaches more than approximately 70% relative humidity.

Mould can cause serious health problems, triggering respiratory and hayfever like symptoms. You may find that you start sneezing or wheezing when you go into a basement or damp room with old, stored papers and clothes. You are possibly reacting to mould spores. People with chronic allergic reactions encounter shortness of breath, coughing mucus, excessive phlegm in throat or in some cases, develop lung diseases. This is because airborne mould spores are very tiny, enabling them to easily invade delicate membranes of the nose and upper respiratory tract.

Many homes provide the three things that mould and mildew need to thrive: moisture, oxygen and a food source. Mould can live in a range of places as they feed on a variety of sources including house plants, furniture, mattresses, floors, carpet, tiles – just to name a few. Mould growth is commonly referred to as “mildew”.

Moulds reproduce through tiny “spores” which are invisible to the naked eye. Indoor environments with mould problems may contain up to 1,000,000,000 spores per cubic metre of air. Mildew likes to grow in moist areas and feed on a variety of sources including house plants, furniture, mattresses, floors, carpet, tiles – just to name a few.

Black mould is the most common type found in the home. It is usually directly caused by condensation. Mist and water droplets on windows and mirrors may be followed by black and coloured spots or stains – this is mildew. The emphasis on providing indoor insulation has created perfect conditions for mould. Kitchens and bathrooms are most susceptible to mould and mildew problems because of the large amounts of steam produced in cooking and bathing.

Moulds produce allergens that can jeopardize the health of people with weak immune systems – the very young, the elderly, the sick and of course people who already experience allergies including asthma and rhinitis. Moulds are also instrumental in the feeding cycle of dust mites, aiding the proliferation of the mites within the house. Mould and mildew can be a trigger of allergies, hayfever and allergic reactions in the home.

Mould removal and prevention is imperative. Dehumidifier hire, use a dehumidifier when you need it most to remove moisture from the air. Even if a room does not feel at all damp you will be amazed how much moisture these machines take out of the air on a daily basis. They reduce dampness at a very fast rate and are a crucial part of tackling any mould and mildew problems.

Improve indoor air quality standards with Mitey Fresh dehumidifiers for sale Australia wide. Further mould and allergy relief, stop and prevent mould in cupboards and wardrobes with Dampp Chaser storage dehumidifiers and natural damp rid products such as Zeolite Australia wide for the benefit to you and your family. The range of stop mould products reduce dampness at a very fast rate and are a crucial part of how to prevent or remove mould and mildew from becoming a major problem, addressing the issue as soon as possible.

Click here to see our range of stop mould products.