Raine & Horne Dalby Blog

If you want to know how to spot it, clean it, prevent it and understand it - 

Here’s everything you need to know about the frustrating fungi attacking our homes.

Recent wet weather and humidity have caused dangerous mould outbreaks to ravage Australian homes.

Experts say there are multiple things you can do to stop mould from growing and to clean it up when it’s too late to prevent it. Toxic mould species can hijack your health and cause a range of health problems.

In order to reproduce, mould produces tiny particles called spores that are carried in the air and may cause health problems if inhaled by people who are sensitive or allergic to them.

What is mould?

Mould is a fungi, an organism from the same group that includes yeast and mushrooms, present virtually everywhere both indoors and outdoors. When airborne mould spores land on damp spots indoors, they may begin to grow and spread.

Mould thrives in wet or moist areas that lack adequate ventilation, including on walls, ceilings, insulation, mattresses, carpets, tiles and wood. Wet weather, increased humidity, and flood damage have seen households across the country battling recent mould outbreaks in their homes.

Many types of mould are harmless and some are even edible, but some produce mycotoxins and are representative of damp living conditions, leading to health problems. While “black moulds” are some of the worst to find in your home, experts say colour is not an indication of how dangerous a mould may be.

How do I stop mould in my house?

Prevention is more efficient than removal and the key is keeping your home dry and free of dust.

Fix structural damage

Leaks in roofs and walls can cause water to soak into the structural materials of your home, creating the perfect environment for mould. Full gutters can also send rainwater into the roof cavity of some houses, so if you see mould appearing across your ceiling skirtings, check to see if your gutters are due for a clean. If you rent, your landlord is liable to fix these problems and eradicate the mould.

Keep an eye on plumbed appliances like dishwashers, which can also create an ideal environment for mould if a leak occurs.

Ventilation

As soon as the weather is good, you should start opening your windows and get some ventilation through. Opening windows, and making sure that ceiling fans in wet areas like laundries and bathrooms are on and working is a great way to do this. Drying things out is really key or it’ll just come back. Some air conditioners also have a “dry mode” which acts similarly to a mechanical dehumidifier.

Some states recommend having the air conditioning or ventilation unit in your home serviced.

Rising damp is ground moisture rising up a brick or stone wall, and poor sub-floor ventilation or moisture in the sub-floor area will worsen the problem This can be fixed by installing a waterproof barrier in the wall. Ensure the weep holes and air vents at the base of your home are also uncovered.

Use a dehumidifier

If you have a humid environment, you might need a mechanical dehumidifier. The insulation resistance of a building has a lot to do with whether or not it traps or maintains moisture within the building fabric.  You want to make sure that your indoor relative humidity - which is a term that describes the amount of water vapour present in the air - is definitely under 80 per cent, and preferably under 60 per cent. The ideal indoor relative humidity would be about 50 per cent. Fish tanks and indoor plants could also lead to excess humidity inside.

Cut condensation

Use extractor fans in the kitchen while cooking, and in the bathroom and laundry while washing. Reducing the condensation in your home can also be as simple as popping a lid on your saucepan when boiling water, and opening windows when you’re creating steam within the house.  If you see condensation gathering on walls and inner windows, wipe it up before it has the chance to encourage mould growth.

Getting rid of mould

Cleaning it up

For a routine clean-up of mould, QLD Health suggests using mild detergent or vinegar.

Bleach can be used on non-porous surfaces like tiles and in bathrooms but is not recommended for materials like wood or drywall.

Mould has roots that it sends deep into porous materials, so antibacterial agents work best to attack the roots as well as the surface of the fungi. Other non-toxic solutions to eradicating mould include: hydrogen peroxide diluted 1:1 with water, diluted baking soda (2 tbsp. with 2 cups of water), diluted tee tree oil (2 tsp. with 2 cups of water or white vinegar), or diluted grapefruit seed extract (10 drops with one cup of water). Spray these solutions onto the mould and allow them to sit before wiping the area clean and allowing it to dry.

Don’t paint over mould, because it will continue to grow underneath and damage the structural integrity of the material. Make sure to dry surfaces after cleaning.

What kills mould permanently?

Even if you successfully rid an area of mould, you’ll need to maintain the conditions of your home continuously to discourage regrowth. Mould can grow wherever there is moisture source, the correct temperature, and something to grow on. Cellular debris and the food and liquid waste are also used as a food source food by the pathogens, which are normally around us all the time.

Is mould harmful to humans?

The inquiry recommended that the Department of Health undertake further research into the potential health effects of mould exposure and its prevalence in the built environment. Mould Lab defined biotoxins at the time as including “toxic chemicals found on spores, fine or ultrafine fragments of mould or fungus … that are able to be released into the air”.

They stated that some people are “genetically susceptible” and may develop inflammation and chronic illness after coming into contact with these biotoxins. This illness is known by some as Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), but Royal Australasian College of Physicians and The Department of Health said there was still insufficient evidence supporting a causal link between mould and the illness.

Reported symptoms of mould exposure include coughing, wheezing, stuffiness, red or itchy eyes, skin rashes, and a sore throat. These symptoms can be more severe if you have an allergy to mould. Particular moulds can also trigger asthma attacks for those with the condition, and a 2016 study of children found mould samples taken from mattresses were associated with asthma.

“People need to be very mindful of invisible risks and not just consider this an infection that could cause a problem for open wounds,” consultation microbiologist Jones said.

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