A mouldy home is a damp home. Mould needs moisture to grow. The causes of internal dampness in homes can be micro climate driven – particularly if the home is well shaded; exposed to damp humid sea breezes; experiences above average rainfall; is built on sloping land such that there is perennial subterranean water flows.
- Some damp homes are simply poorly designed – such that they experience insufficient passive ventilation from opening windows and doors.
- Some homes are damp because they are very well sealed – a very common problem in so called “eco” homes.
- Most of the moisture in any home is generated by the washing, breathing, sweating, cooking occupants.
- Some homes are damp because they have poor orientation to winter sun.
Fresh air ventilation solves most damp and the resulting mouldy homes. The fresh air “flushes” the contaminated air and, more importantly, the fresh air dries the damp surfaces in which mould flourishes.
