Have you walked around your home and seen fuzzy white, black or even orange stuff in unusually places and thought to yourself ‘What Causes Mould in a House?’. That disgusting fuzz is mould. Mould can not only cause allergies or respiratory issues but can also cause damage to surfaces and the structure of your home.
Unfortunately, mould is a common household problem, especially in places with humidity and dampness. Mould thrives in humid climates and just loves the weather of Queensland. Mould is a type of fungus that can easily reproduce and even more so if conductive conditions are present.
What Causes mould in a house?
Inside your home mould thrives in dark, humid poorly ventilated areas such as kitchens, laundries and bathrooms or even cupboards. In fact, any damp poorly ventilated area can foster mould growth.
Not all mould is toxic but typically mould is not an isolated issue and can often be a warning sign of a bigger problem.
Water damage in some form is usually the cause of mould in a house. The most common form of water damage is caused by humidity.
Established in semi-tropical climate most Brisbane homes will suffer some degree of water damage during its life. When the moisture inside your house evaporates the humidity inside your house rises. If your house is not well-ventilated the humidity inside the house will create the perfect reproductive environment for mould.
Another common cause of what causes mould on walls and a house is water leaking from the roof or gutters into the home. Most roof leaks are minute and typically undetected until other issues such as mould causes further investigation. The roof will commonly leak into the roof cavity and drip down inside a wall. You will probably not even know you have a leak until you notice the mould and even then, the roof is often overlooked as a cause. Having regular roof inspections conducted by a professional can assist in finding water leaks in your roof.
Water leaks within a home can also come from an indoor plumbing leak. Hidden leaks usually are undetected until significant damage is done. However, there are some tell-tale signs of a plumbing leak. Some signs are increased water bills, reduced water pressure, strange noise in the pipes, wet spots, ceiling and wall stains, peeling paint and warped timbers.
Condensation in a home is the most-overlooked cause of mould. Cold surfaces such as marble counter tops and cement floors can create condensation, even if the floors are carpeted. These places can collect condensation which is conducive to mould growth.
Poor ventilation is the most obvious cause of mould in a home. Poor ventilation causes static pockets of air which is perfect for mould reproduction. Steam evaporating such as that created in bathrooms and kitchens causes the humidity mould loves. It is essential ventilation is prioritised in these rooms. A simple way to combat poor ventilation is to open windows and doors or installing extractor fans the vent on the outside of the house.
Obviously, flooding is a huge cause of mould growth in a house. Whilst flooding is a traumatic event, mould only needs 24 hours to grow so quick rectification of flood damage is essential.
Mould will often omit a pungent smell that you can definitely smell, and mould is often smelt before seen.
Mould is not just an indoor problem but can be found outdoors feeding on decomposing matter such as leaves, mulch, grass and wood.
What Causes Mould in a House and What Should You Do?
To prevent mould from forming it is important to reduce humidity levels, increase ventilation, stay on top of roof maintenance and keep the house interior clean and dry. It is essential to be aware of signs of mould such as water damage, musty smells or coloured fuzz and take immediate action to remove it.
To learn more about the effects of mould, what causes mould in a house or to have your house or building inspected, get in touch with the building inspections team at ASBIR today on 1300 553 007 or get a quote for your Brisbane building and inspections by using our get a quote form.
