Perth has just recorded its wettest July on record, with rain falling on 28 out of the 31 days in July. Of course, all this rain equals lots of moisture in the air with nearly no days in between to dry out, it makes this month the perfect environment for mould to grow!

You may think that your home isn’t at risk from the mould growth, however mould is an extremely common problem and can occur in all sorts of houses, whether they’re new or old. It’s important to be understand how to prevent mould growth in order to protect you and your family from the potential health risks associated with this issue.

How and where can mould grow?

Mould can grow on a variety of surfaces including painted walls, fabrics, even some carpets or rugs. It’s usually found in places where there is a combination of warmth and moisture, so you’ll need to be especially careful in wet rooms such as bathrooms or laundries. Lower floors or areas such as basements are particularly susceptible to mould growth as they can easily take in any moisture buildup form upper floors or damp from outside the building.

The main reason to be vigilant in preventing mould growth in your home is due to the potential health risks that are associated to exposure. If you or your family suffer from allergies or asthma, mould growth can aggravate this when the spores are inhaled into the lungs. Occasionally, people may have more severe reactions. Very rarely, people may develop a mould infection, usually in the lungs.

How to prevent mould growth in your home!

Do a building inspection:

You can often spot mould growth just by using your senses of sight and smell. If you detect a musty scent, it could be a sign of mould growth. Additionally, once mould is established there will often be easy to spot areas of coloured stains and/or watermarks on ceilings and walls.

Get a dehumidifier:

Humidity indoors should ideally be between 30% and 60%. When levels rise above this, it can start creating the ideal environment for mould to flourish. Many Perth homes utilise evaporative air conditioning which air cooled with water. This raises the humidity within the home significantly. If humidity levels are consistently high, it’s a good idea to invest in a dehumidifier to avoid damp issues developing.

Ventilaton:

Ensuring adequate ventilation within your home is essential for your health and wellbeing in more ways than one. Make sure there is good air flow when you’re cooking, having a shower or drying clothes in a tumble dryer. If you don’t have extractor fans, always open a window or ensure let the moist air escape. Laundries can be particularly susceptible to mould growth, especially when using an unvented tumble drier in this type of small space. Driers extract a lot of moisture from wet clothing and if it’s not vented outside it gets pumped back into the room. Often times, even an open window doesn’t stop the moisture from building up on the walls and surfaces of the laundry. Where possible its always best to vent the dryer to the outside of your home.

Choose mould resistant materials:

These days there is numerous amounts of mould resistant products available. If you are building a new home, it could be worth your while looking into products such as mould resistant dry wall or Sheetrock. Most quality bathroom paints even have mould inhibitors mixed in, so don’t skimp on these products when the time comes. If you are renovating and upgrading your home, always make sure to use these better-quality products, especially in areas such as bathrooms and laundries.

Check the outside:

The way that your home has been designed is incredibly important when it comes to potential moisture build up. The ground surrounding your home should ideally slope away from the foundations to avoid water building up sitting there for an extended amount of time. You’ll also need to make sure that your roof is in watertight condition and the gutters are kept clean free of obstructions

If you’ve spotted signs of mould in your home or just want peace of mind that there is nothing lurking behind the walls and ceilings, get in touch with the team at Total Home Inspections for a thorough check of your Perth Property.