Mould Prevention in the Home

Exposure to mould can lead to serious health issues. Eliminating a mould infestation can be a complex and expensive process and as with many things, prevention is better than cure. Mould is a type of fungi that thrives in warm and damp conditions. As such, maintaining a dry, well ventilated space is fundamental in the prevention or recurrence of mould.

Ensure There is Adequate Ventilation Throughout the House

Condensation is the most common form of dampness in buildings, especially in modern buildings where draught exclusion has minimised the natural ventilation of the building. Older buildings which have open fire places and gaps around doors and windows are less likely to experience severe surface condensation.

Water vapour is generated from everyday household activities such as cooking, washing clothes, drying clothes, showering and even breathing. Without an adequate ventilation system, all this humidity stays in the house and often turns to condensation, creating optimal conditions for the growth of mould.

Prevent Rain from Entering Your Roof Space with Sarking

Given the right conditions, roof spaces can also be a breeding ground for mould spores. If rain has entered the roof cavity during a storm, for example, it may have a difficult time getting out. Then when the sun comes out, the roof space heats up quickly, and there you have it: a warm and damp space. Prime conditions for mould growth. In these cases, the ceiling insulation often becomes wet too, rendering it more or less ineffective and will need to be replaced. While in theory it is possible to take the home insulation out and dry it, this would never be the recommended method. Not only are you unlikely to regain the desired performance r-value, but it is near impossible to remove all the moisture from the millions of air pockets.

Roof sarking is an effective way to prevent the entry of storm driven rain, which in turn helps to protect your home from mould growth. Unfortunately, these water proof linings can also have the effect of preventing moisture (which may have been caused by condensation) from escaping the roof cavity. Make sure you do your research and find the roof sarking that blocks out liquid moisture, but allows water vapour to pass through.

Installing Home Insulation – Keeping You Warmer and Drier

Water vapour in itself does not encourage mould growth. In fact, constant inhalation of very dry air can itself cause health issues. It is only when water vapour changes to condensation that it can lead to mould growth. The amount of water vapour that the air in your home can hold before it changes to condensation depends on the temperature of the air. The warmer the air, the more water vapour it is able to hold. As such, keeping your home warm enough is crucial to prevent condensation. Creating a thermal envelope with home insulation in the ceiling, walls and underfloor helps to retain the heat generated from within allowing you to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature without the excessive use of heating and cooling systems.

Comprehensive Solution with Bradford Insulation

An all-inclusive insulation design is essential to create warm and dry homes. Enviroseal ProctorWrap Roof Sarking, manufactured by Bradford Insulation, is gaining popularity in New Zealand Homes as a solution to creating drier homes. While roof sarking often prevents water vapour from escaping, this vapour permeable product prevents water and dust from the outside to penetrate, whilst allowing water vapour to pass through it. In colder climates there is often more moisture inside the home compared to outside and this product allows moisture in the air to pass through it before condensing to water outside, where it will not cause damage to the home. The same principle applies to Bradford wall insulation, where glasswool keeps the home warm, while the wall wrap keeps it dry. Bradford underfloor insulation is one of the most popular floor insulation products on the market and has excellent thermal and acoustic properties.