You don’t have to visit too many homes in the Adelaide Hills to spot mould. It’s everywhere. And sadly, too often in brand new homes. You wouldn’t put up with a new car that comes with mould. So you shouldn’t put up with it in your new home.
What Causes Mould?
Mould develops in areas of persistent moisture that have low ventilation (air flow). Moisture often occurs in homes when there is a difference in temperature between the internal air and the temperature of the internal building materials. Sort of like the way your soft drink can gets wet on the outside on a hot day.
Why Are So Many New Homes Developing Mould?
Higher building code standards (especially when it comes to energy-efficiency) has caused product manufacturers to increase the air seals on their products. This reduces air flow, which leads to a ‘tight’ home that helps to maintain a more consistent temperature inside.
The problem is, there have not been matching improvements in the building code for condensation management. And if a tight home has thermal bridges (areas where internal and external building materials of different temperature are connected by another material), condensation often occurs. That’s why so many new homes develop mould around windows and in the corners that face external walls. This is especially prevalent in new steel-frame homes because steel is an efficient conductor that creates a thermal bridge.
Dangers Of Mould
Mould in a home can trigger a runny or blocked nose, irritation of the eyes and skin, sneezing, coughing, and wheezing. People who are vulnerable to allergies can suffer even more with skin rashes, respiratory infections, and asthma. And long term exposure to mould has possible links to more serious life-altering and potentially threatening conditions. The question to consider is: What price do you place on your health? Mould is an issue you should not ignore.
How To Get Rid Of Mould
Once mould gets into your home, it is very difficult to totally remove because the mould you see is just the tip of the iceberg. The majority of mould grows deep into your gyprock and even spreads throughout your walls. Plus tiny spores spread through the air into other areas of your home.
Professional treatment is recommended, but several DIY recipes that contain cloves, tea tree oil, and vinegar can be found online.
How To Make Sure Your New Home Isn’t Prone To Mould
The key is to have total separation between internal and external building materials. This is achieved in two ways. Firstly, don’t use building materials that are conductive including aluminium windows and steel wall frames. Secondly, ensure you use the right insulation, installed correctly, so there are no thermal bridges between internal and external building materials.
Free Expert Advice To Ensure Your New Home Is Not A Haven For Dangerous Mould
Building a healthy mould-resistant home takes attention to detail both in design and construction. And something as seemingly minor as a thermal bridge can set you in a vicious cycle where you’re fighting to keep mould at bay.
Whether you’re ready to build or still looking at your options, one of the best things you can do is pick up a copy of our special report, The 5 Key Skills of an Energy Efficient Builder.
