Dampness indoors is an abnormal level of moisture inside the house which could be due to water from outside or defects in the building; leaky roof, condensation, water pipe leaks, poor foundation of the house leading to sippage of water up the wall and also water collections within the house. Thus dampness is commoner in coastal areas where the humidity is high.
Moulds are fungi, they are common in composite sites, wood lands and cut grass. Moulds are brought indoors by wind through doorways, windows, vents and air conditioning holes. Moulds can also enter the home by being attached to clothes, shoes, bags, human body and pets.
Once indoors, the high level of moisture usually encourages the growth mould on various surfaces but particularly around leaking points, windows, pipes, bathrooms (walls, tub), wall paper, work tops, laundry, soaked walls (due to flooding or/and leaking roofs).
When exposed to dampness and moulds indoors, persons may or may not develop health problems especially respiratory problems.
Some people are sensitive to mould and may come down with nasal stuffiness, cough, wheezing, throat irritation, eye irritation and skin irritation. Those who are allergic to moulds may react more seriously, if asthmatic could have increased number of attacks.
Here are some ways you can control dampness and mould in your home.
1. Use of air conditioner or dehumidifier
The use of air conditioners or dehumidifier helps control the level of moisture in the home; the ideal level is 50 percent or less. The air conditioner and dehumidifier can be adjusted as the need arises to achieve best results.
2. Fixing of all leaks
Fix all leaky roofs, change leaking pipes, close vents. If the lower walls of the house are soaked, find a solution to the problem.
3. Thorough washing of work tops
Wash all work tops in the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry thoroughly with soap and water to remove all moulds. Look for coloured spots resulting from biological and chemical degradation of materials by the activities of mould.
4. Adequate ventilation of specific areas in the house
Poor ventilation encourages the growth of mould as moisture is higher in poorly ventilated environment. The place has a special odour, musty, which is peculiar to presence of mould.
Keep the windows open to ensure cross ventilation, the areas of special interest are the bath rooms, kitchen and laundry.
5. Avoid use of rugs in bedroom, bath rooms.
Rugs when wet encourage the growth of moulds; consequently you are advised to avoid the use of rugs in the bed room, bath room and any other place where it can easily get wet.
6. Add mould killing additives to paints
There are mould killing chemicals, any one of your choice can be added to the paint before painting; this will prevent growth of moulds on the wall.
7. Clean bath rooms with mould killing products
Bath rooms are in most always cases damp especially if poorly ventilated, the walls of the bath room and the sides of the bath tub are the greatest culprits.
Wash the bath room walls, the bath tub and the sides of the bath tub with mould killing moulds.
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