Is Mould Hiding In Your Home?
Mould can be one of those silent predators. You don’t always see it but it’s lurking…
Clocks turn back next week, marking the dreaded descent into winter. The days will slowly get shorter and darker and the temperate will start to drop, creating the perfect damp conditions for mould to flourish.
Mould in homes has always made headlines across New Zealand because of the dangerous health issues and respiratory problems it causes when people are exposed to it in their homes.
No one wants to have a home with a mould problem but the sneaky spores aren’t always easy to detect. Whether you’re selling or buying a home, it’s important to learn how to detect, prevent and remove mould, before it becomes a serious issue or concern.
What is mould?
Mould is a type of fungus that comes in various shapes, sizes and colours. It thrives in damp areas inside and outside the home and is commonly found in bathrooms, kitchens and laundries. But sometimes you don’t know it’s there because is not always visible, sometimes it grows in the smallest places and foundations, hiding between walls, under floors or in ceilings, going unseen to the naked eye.
How do I detect it?
Mould has plenty of places to hide which means it is extremely common for it to grow in a home without being aware that it’s there. You can take a few steps to try to find out if your home, or the home you’re thinking of buying, contains mould.
Keep your eyes peeled for signs of mould and the potential for mould to grow, including water marks and puddles, musty smells, damp areas in rooms, peeled or cracked paint or frequent condensation around windows.
Our role as home inspectors is to examine and assess the condition of a house, identifying defects and potential problems that go unnoticed to the untrained eye, which include signs of mould and water damage. We will go over every inch of the house, looking in spots you might know to look in, and can help identify other areas where leaks may have occurred, or moisture might have collected.
What can I do?
Mould needs moisture to live, so while dehumidifiers and ventilation systems help reduce the symptoms of the problem, it’s important to get to the underlying cause of the excess moisture in your home.
Some moisture is normal and can be managed by insulating, heating and ventilating but often having mould in the house can be a sign of a more serious issue that should be investigated. We can help you address the problem and offer solutions to prevent mould growth so you can go ahead with the purchase knowing you can safely make it your home, or support the sale.
Kiwi’s spend an average of 16 hours per day in their homes, so the environment should be safe and healthy for everyone to live there. While mould is a common issue to have in homes, particularly older ones, limiting and preventing exposure should be of utmost importance for your family.
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