The Silent Predator: Damp and Mold in the Home

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.  Most common are allergic reactions and flu-like symptoms like sneezing, sore eyes, coughing and wheezing.It can be a nightmare for asthma sufferers, and there’s even been a study connecting it with causing asthma during childhood.  Damp can also cause serious respiratory problems in the long run.  Another recent study even revealed a connection between mold and depression! 

Causes
So how does this silent predator manage to infect so many homes?To start with, it’s important to state that mould occurs naturally in small amounts and can be sorted out quite simply.  But the real problems occur when it is allowed to spread and develop fungal spores.  Mould builds up as a result of too much humidity in the air combined with a lack of proper ventilation for the moisture to escape.The air inside a home becomes naturally humid after things like showers, cooking or tumble drying.But this moisture needs somewhere to go!Poor ventilation could be caused by dodgy workmen who cut corners on damp proofing when building the house.Often there aren’t sufficient air vents in a property.And the more we are concerned about saving energy these days, the more we are tending to lock the air – and moisture – into our homes.

Dealing with damp
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.If it does appear and spread, getting rid of it can be a real headache.  Here are some top tips on how to avoid damp buildup in your home or workplace:

 

1. 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.
2. Make sure you have proper ventilation in your house so that the moisture has somewhere to go.  Consider installing air vents or opening a window after showers.
3. Insulate cold surfaces where condensation might collect, such as windows, pipes, roofs and external walls.
4. 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.
5. Be aware of your legal rights.If things get really serious it can have awful consequenses on both your life and your finances. Insurance companies are notoriously bad for damp coverage – but it’s certainly worth checking with them. If you’re renting, get your landlord to hire professional mould inspectors to deal with the problem.