Reduce Moisture And Mould In Your Home
23 November 2024
Creating a healthy home is essential for the well-being and comfort of your family. With most of us spending up to 90% of our time indoors, ensuring clean air inside the home is crucial, especially for children and older family members. Indoor air quality is affected by moisture, mould and airborne particles, mostly created from everyday living. To help your family breathe easy, it’s important to address these issues.
Here are 11 quick tips to improve your home’s air quality by reducing moisture, mould, and other harmful particles:
Use Your Extraction Fan
Always turn on your extraction fan while showering and leave it running afterward to clear out moisture and steam. Even after the water stops, steam lingers in the air and can create problems.
Let the Dishwasher Finish Drying
Avoid opening the dishwasher mid-cycle. The steam released adds unnecessary moisture to your kitchen. Let the drying cycle complete, so the water drains away properly.
Open Windows and Doors Daily
This simple habit can significantly improve air quality. Opening doors and windows during the day helps replace stale, moist air with fresh, clean air. This is particularly important in winter when homes tend to be closed up.
Use Electric Heating
Unflued gas heaters and older fireplaces can add moisture and harmful particles to your home. Instead, opt for electric heating methods like heat pumps to keep your home warm without compromising air quality.
Avoid Drying Laundry Indoors
Drying clothes indoors can release up to 5 litres of moisture into your home per load. If you must dry laundry indoors, use a dehumidifier or run an extraction fan. For dryers, ensure the vent leads outside.
Keep an Eye on Mould
Mould can have serious health implications. If your home’s humidity exceeds 60% RH, it’s time to check for mould. Look at wallpaper, flooring, window frames, and corners. Use vinegar to clean it, but remember, lowering humidity is the key to preventing it permanently.
Leave Space Between Furniture and Walls
A small gap between furniture and walls allows air to circulate, reducing mould and mildew growth. Similarly, leave wardrobe and cupboard doors slightly open and avoid overfilling them to promote airflow.
Fix Leaks Promptly
Leaks can lead to increased humidity and higher heating or water bills. Check for gaps or cracks in walls, windows, and roofs, and ensure taps and plumbing connections are tight.
Clean Gutters and Drains
Blocked gutters and drains can cause rainwater to pool and seep into your walls or roof, leading to hidden mould issues. Regularly clear out debris to ensure proper water flow.
Install Ground Moisture Barriers
A cost-effective way to combat rising moisture is to lay a polythene sheet under your home. This barrier prevents moisture from the ground or foundation from seeping into your floors. Learn more.
Consider a Ventilation System
Maintaining good indoor air quality can be challenging with busy schedules or during bad weather. A ventilation system works around the clock to clean and filter your air, reducing moisture, mould, and other particles automatically.
Ready to Create a Healthy Home?
Take the first step toward improving your family’s air quality. Book your free home assessment today!
