Adventures In Living and Gardening

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.Every time I’ve moved house I’ve seen several quite disgusting places with serious mould problems.  But most people aren’t even aware of the problem.A lot of the time damp lurks in corners that we just dont notice - and often it’s hiding inside walls and structures. 

Damp causes sickness
Damp has been linked with an alarming range of illnesses.Often people suffer from allergies and cold-like symptomes such as itchy eyes and sneezing.Far worse is the recent study in the UK which linked damp with causing asthma in children.  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 things start getting really serious when it is able to spread and fungal spores begin to develop.Mold occurs when there too much moisture in the atmosphere and it has nowhere to escape.The air inside a home becomes naturally humid after things like showers, cooking or tumble drying.  But it needs a place 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.One bad side of being concerned about saving on heat loss and going green at home is that with all the insulation there’s often nowhere for moisture to escape.

Dealing with damp
With all the problems associated with mold all of us should be concerned with preventing it. And just because you don’t already have damp, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do act now.  Once it takes hold, it can be very difficult and expensive to get rid of it.  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. Ensure that you get proper ventilation in the building to give moisture an escape route.If there aren’t proper air vents to the outside, get them installed.
3. Be sure to have any cold surfaces insulated where possible - they’re the places where condensation often develop at home.
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. Know your rights.If things get really serious it can have awful consequenses on both your life and your finances. Check if your insurance policy covers mould damage. Tenants should push their landlords to have a professional damp inspector visit and assess the house.

 

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