There are many parts of Australia which experience high humidity. For some people who love the heat, these can be great places to live and work. However, unfortunately, these humid environments aren’t without risk as they can cause significant damage to buildings.
Mould and ghosting
Mould – most of us would be somewhat familiar with mould, which is a type of fungi. It grows well in damp environments, especially when there’s poor ventilation. It can grow on many surfaces found in homes and workplaces such as carpets, timber, and walls. Mould can take on different appearances; it’s most commonly black, green, or white and can look like a stain or discoloration.
Ghosting – this is a term many people would be less familiar with. Ghosting is a build-up of soot and dust particles on walls and ceilings that appears as dark stains. Moisture in the air also contributes to this occurring.
What are the impacts?
Other than looking unsightly, ghosting doesn’t have the same detrimental impact of mould. Ghosting doesn’t pose a health risk to people, and it’s relatively easy to clean. However, if the cause of the ghosting isn’t dealt with, it’ll most likely reappear.
Mould, on the other hand, can in some instances bring significant risk to both the physical building and the health of people in that building. Cleaning away mould can be done, however the success of this depends on the extent of the mould. Professional services are available to assist with this. However, if the mould has significantly impacted and damaged materials, such as plaster on walls or carpets, these will often need to be replaced. And as with ghosting, the cause needs to be addressed to prevent its recurrence.
Mould produces tiny particles called spores. These spores are carried in the air and can cause and exacerbate respiratory issues in people. When exposed to mould, people may suffer from a runny or blocked nose, sneezing, coughing, allergic reactions and worsening asthma. Those at high risk of these conditions or with weakened immune systems need to be particularly careful around mould and it’s advisable they don’t attempt to remove it themselves.
What causes mould and ghosting?
As mentioned earlier, damp, humid environments are ideal breeding grounds for mould and ghosting. Therefore, some locations are more prone simply due to the climate of that location. Certain times of the year will also contribute to increased humidity in the air.
However, mould and ghosting can occur in any location if the conditions are right. Significant rain, especially if it’s led to flooding, will increase the moisture in the air, even in locations which aren’t typically humid. Poor ventilation and air flow also increases the likelihood of mould and ghosting forming.
Mould and insurance
Due to the damage caused by mould, it’s common for property owners to look to claim on their insurance when this damage occurs. However, insurance generally won’t cover mould build up and damage.
Insurance can cover mould damage caused
by water which has entered a premises.
However, mould damage caused not by
direct contact with water, but moisture in
the air, will generally not be covered.
Therefore, the importance of preventing
mould building up and the damage it
causes can’t be underestimated.
Tips for preventing and managing
mould and ghosting
- Be aware of the humidity in your location.
This can vary and typically low humid
environments can go through periods of
high humidity.
- Be mindful of the impact of high rain
and flooding on humidity, and therefore
moisture in the air. Flood waters don’t
need to have entered a premises for
moisture to be in the air, an increase in
water in the surrounding environment
can cause this.
- Always be on the lookout for mould, as it
can build up quickly.
- If mould is found, action it immediately
before it spreads out of control.
- Cleaning mould and ghosting isn’t
enough, you need to address the cause,
so it doesn’t continue to appear.
- Consider using a professional service to
clean mould, especially if you’re at an
increased health risk.
- Opening windows for fresh air isn’t
recommended in humid environments as
this simply allows the humid, moist air to
enter the premises. Air conditioning with
windows closed is necessary to reduce
humidity inside.
- Consider other ways moisture gets into
the air inside and what can be done to
reduce or eliminate this. For example,
bathrooms should have fans installed to
reduce steam build-up during showers.
The use of clothes driers and stoves can
also lead to steam in a property.
- There are numerous products on
the market which remove or absorb
dampness from the air. These can be
purchased from a range of stores and
are designed for placement around
a home or other premises. These
products have a limited lifespan; follow
instructions regarding how often they
should be replaced.
- If a property is being locked up for a
period of time, such as vacant holiday
home, consider what can be done to limit
the humidity inside during this time. Can
someone visit the premises to replace
moisture removing products? Can an air
conditioner be turned on occasionally
using a timer?
- Finally, don’t underestimate the risk or
impact of mould and ghosting. Taking
preventative steps before it occurs
can save a great deal of hassle and
inconvenience down the track.
Download the pdf here.