Mould grows in your home when moisture from heavy rain, or even just condensation from the air, finds its way into cracks and crevices. The result? A spore-producing fungus called Aspergillus or Alternaria grows on damp surfaces and releases chemicals that smell musty and house-like. These molds end up producing black streaks and patches throughout the interior of your home, which can be very off-putting.
Australia’s East Coast has seen three intense heavy rain showers from February to April that resulted in heavy flooding. Moisture due to these rains could potentially cause mould growth in homes.
If you have a mould problem in your house, there are several things you can do to improve your indoor air quality and fight back against the growth of these spores. Here’s everything you need to know about how mould grows in your home and what you can do to keep it under control.
What is mould?
Mould can grow in your home in a number of ways. The most common is in humid environments such as bathrooms or kitchens, where condensation can occur around pipes and other fixtures. Other causes of mould growth include tree sap, animal droppings, or airborne spores that have been trapped in the air for a long time.
From the outside, mould may look a little like a fuzzy brownie. But on closer inspection, you’ll probably see that it has fuzzy white patches, or spores, floating around in it. Mould is actually a type of fungus that produces spores that can travel through the air and land on surfaces like your furniture and walls, where they can lie dormant until conditions are right for them to grow.
Mould can grow anywhere in your home where there’s water and a source of food. It can also grow in places where there’s very little air circulation, like closets, bathrooms, or basements.
The Effect of Rainwater to Mould Growth
Rainwater is naturally acidic. It has a pH of about 5.5. The low pH of rainwater makes it an ideal environment for mould to grow. It can pick up and transport pollutants from the air, which makes it an ideal breeding ground for mould.
Rainwater can also reduce the amount of oxygen that reaches plant roots, further contributing to the growth of mould. Mould growth in your home may also cause health problems if it grows on or in food or if it affects your lungs when inhaled.
How Does Mould Grow In A House?
Mould grows when moisture is present in the air. Moisture can be found in a number of ways, such as from leaking pipes or condensation from buildings that are poorly insulated. Sydney has been under a lot of heavy rains from February to April so it’s no surprise that moulds may grow in homes when not properly attended to.
When moisture is present, the spores of certain types of moulds can grow and multiply rapidly. As they grow, they release chemicals that cause damage to the building material and equipment inside the home. The type of mould present will vary depending on where it is located. In some cases, mould growth may be caused by dampness without visible signs of water damage. In other cases, visible water damage and/or a noticeable musty smell may indicate a mould problem.
Mould growth can also begin when dirt accumulates on surfaces such as flooring, window frames, and walls. This can lead to more moisture in the air and encourage further growth of mould. This can often happen when buildings are left unoccupied for extended periods of time or when there is heavy activity that leads to a lot of clutter and dirt build up.
Mould can also be an indication that there is a leak in the building’s plumbing system or in the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system. The presence of mould indicates potentially serious problems that need to be addressed right away to prevent further damage to the building’s structure and equipment.
How To Keep Mould Growth Under Control?
There are a lot of ways to control or prevent the growth of moulds.
- Invest in good-quality building materials
- Different kinds of mould thrive in different kinds of conditions, so you’ll need to find out what kinds of mould are growing in your home. If you know what kinds of mould are growing in your house, you can get rid of them.
- Get rid of standing water. This is most especially after heavy rains.
- Wasting water is a big source of humidity in your home. Keep all plants, buckets, and other items that hold water inside, and only let them outside when it’s dry.
- Clean your house regularly
- Regularly removing and disposing of scraped sponges and cleaning dirty grout will keep the air inside your house clean and prevent condensation from forming.
Signs of Mold Growth in Your Home
Mould growth in a home is an indication that there is a water problem. Mould can cause health problems, including allergies and asthma. Water damage from leaks or floods can leak mold into the air. In addition to water damage, other signs of mold growth include:
- Damp, musty-smelling air
- Dark patches on walls or ceilings
- Foul-smelling water or black streaks on walls
- Carpet that is stained or matted
The presence of one type of mold does not necessarily mean that another type has already grown. However, it is important to check for possible sources of mold growth:
- Water damage from leaks and floods
- Fungal spores in the environment – such as from trees or plants that have died
- Plumbing leaks – such as from clogged drains or pipes
- Wood rot – caused by insects and fungi growing on accumulated debris and decaying wood
How to Get Rid of Mould in Your House
Mould is a type of fungus that can grow on damp surfaces such as the inside of a house or in your damp clothes. Mold can cause health problems by growing in areas where you breathe, eat and sleep. It can also cause allergic reactions, damage building materials and increase the risk of asthma attacks.
There are many ways to get rid of mould. You can use pesticides, ventilation fans or dehumidifiers. For very mild mould, you can simply clean it up with a cloth or wipe it away with soapy water. If the mould is more persistent, you may need to remove the source of moisture (like a leaky pipe) or better to call for professional help.
To prevent mould from growing, keep your home dry and well-ventilated. If there’s any dampness in your home, use a dehumidifier to help reduce moisture levels. Make sure your home has plenty of ventilation so that air doesn’t stagnate in closed-off rooms. Keep garbage out of your home as much as possible, since mould loves damp environments. If you have pets, make sure they don’t leave wet droppings around the house.
How to Prevent Mould Growth After A Rain Or Flood?
Mould growth is common in areas affected by flooding, especially those that have been exposed to water for extended periods of time. Flooding can cause water to infiltrate into the home through air vents and cracks in the foundation, allowing mould spores to enter the building. Mould growth can also occur when floodwater comes into contact with items such as books, furniture, and clothing that are left in the home after the heavy rain.
It’s important to remove all wet items from the house as soon as possible after a flood occurs. Once floodwater has receded, it’s also important to clean up any remaining debris and prevent any future damages. To help prevent mould growth, it’s also important to keep your home dry and ventilated by maintaining good air circulation throughout your home, especially in areas where there is an increased risk of water intrusion.
How To Prevent Mould Growth When It’s Dry And Hot?
When it’s hot out and dry, mould can quickly grow on anything that’s not airtight. So the best way to prevent mould growth when it’s hot and dry is to make sure that your house is well-ventilated and your indoor humidity is kept low. A good rule of thumb is to aim for a relative humidity of less than 40%. If you want to be really safe, try keeping it under 30%. Keep your windows closed during the day and use an air conditioner if you have one. And make sure there are no gaps in the ceiling where pipes could leak moisture into the room.
To keep your house as dry as possible, you can put out a bucket of water each day to soak up any moisture that might be building up. You can also invest in a dehumidifier which will remove excess moisture from your home.
To get rid of mould more quickly when it’s hot and dry, you can spray a mould killer solution directly on the affected surface area. However, be very careful not to get this solution anywhere near your eyes or skin, as this could cause irritation or infection. It’s still best to consult professional help for safer cleaning up of moulds in your homes.
How To Keep Your Indoor Air Quality When The Weather Changes?
Keeping indoor air quality during changes in the weather is very important. There are several factors that can affect indoor air quality, such as humidity, temperature, and wind speed. You should be careful to maintain optimum humidity levels during the summer and when there is a frequent outdoor activity.
You should also try to keep the temperature at a comfortable level by setting thermostats properly. The wind speed should not exceed 8 km/h (5 mph) when you have doors and windows open.
There are different ways to keep your indoor air clean and free of toxins. You can:
- Use an effective air purifier that can remove all types of bad particles from indoor air.
- Change the filter regularly to ensure it is working properly.
- Wash clothes and bed linens frequently to reduce dirt buildup in your home.
Mould and the Future of Indoor Environment Standards
Mould is a problem that plagues indoor environments, and develops with time. This can be due to the presence of excessive moisture, building materials that aren’t properly maintained or even poor ventilation. It can lead to health problems such as allergies and asthma, and can also be an aesthetic issue.
The best way to prevent mould from developing in an indoor environment is to maintain it properly. This means keeping moisture out, using quality materials and regularly cleaning. However, no system is 100% perfect, and there will always be some level of mould present.
So when considering the future of indoor standards, it’s important to consider ways to prevent mould from developing in the first place. One way is by installing proper ventilation systems that allow for fresh air while preventing the buildup of moisture.
Mould Removal Services in Sydney
ABC Mould Cleaning Solutions offers mould removal services at affordable price. We can identify all signs of visible moulds and tailor solutions to your moulds problems. We have been in this business for several years and have the experience to deal with all kinds of moulds.
We have a team of trained technicians who are well-versed with all types of moulds. We have also partnered with various suppliers to ensure that we have all the mould removal solutions at our disposal. So when you are looking for a reliable mould removal company, you can never go wrong with ABC Mould Cleaning. We are also a certified Green solution provider. We work with the strictest standards and safety norms.
So if you need mould removal services, don’t hesitate to talk to us at 0488 866 853 for a free consultation and free quote.
