A House of Moulds

Get your house back from those pesky moulds

First of all, we hope you know what moulds are. Just in case you don’t, moulds are the unwanted guests and boarders in your home. They’re a type of fungus that grows in filaments called hyphae. When they group together, you can actually see them as colonies of fluffy white threads. Moulds can be helpful and destructive at the same time.

On the positive side, moulds contribute to the biodegradation of decaying matter and natural materials. They are like nature's recyclers so to speak. These moulds are usually found outside your home and are referred to as outdoor moulds.

On the down side, moulds can be pesky and cause damage to property (your home), compromise your health, and spoil your food. In this article, we will be presenting practical tips for how you can rid your home of moulds and prevent them from coming back.
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Beware of toxic moulds. Some moulds like Stachybotrys chartarum can produce toxins that can seriously harm your health especially your lungs. The moulds themselves aren’t toxic, it’s their product (toxin) which is. Also, be careful not to inhale the spores coming from their colonies. They can get into your lungs and set up a picnic site there. You can ask a qualified environmental laboratory technician to test the moulds found in your home.
When you see moulds in your home, think of moisture. Mould needs moisture, a carbon source (the building materials in your home), and the right amount of humidity in the air to survive. They can grow on several locations inside your home provided that the nutrients and moisture are abundant. So when you see a colony growing, look for possible sources of moisture.
Remove indoor plants from your home as they can also provide a humble abode for pesky moulds. If you don’t want to get rid of them, you can place a few drops of a natural antifungal agent like tea tree, pau d'arco or clove essential oil on the soil when you water them.
Use a dehumidifier or air conditioner to adjust humidity levels in your home. You can also place extraction vents in strategic locations like your kitchen, bathroom and basement. For an even drier, warmer home you can get a ventilation system installed which circulates air throughout your house. Ventilation systems really help health conditions like asthma that are made worse by dampness. Opening all the doors and windows on sunny days is another great way to effectively ventilate your home.
Avoid using indoor gas heaters as they only add to the moisture in your home.
As much as possible, avoid drying your laundry inside the house.
Inspect the foundations your house is sitting on. Make sure water flows freely away from them.
Avoid placing carpets in your bathroom. If you have a basement, don’t put carpets there either.
If you plan to paint your house, don’t forget to add mould inhibitors to the paint you’re using. Many high quality paints already contain it so check your paint first.
You can install HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters or air purifiers. Not only do they filter out moulds, they also filter out potential allergens (dust, animal dander) in your home.

Signs That You May Have Mould Toxicity

Clues that may indicate you’ve had significant exposure to moulds include:

Body aches
Muscle cramps and joint pains
Weakness and fatigue
Headache
Heightened sensitivity to light and blurring of vision
Cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
Difficulty in concentrating, mood swings, disorientation, confusion
Skin sensitivity, night sweats, numbness, tremors and tingling sensations

If you experience some of the symptoms listed above, you should consult your healthcare practitioner, though keep in mind that these symptoms may also have other causes so don’t panic.

Signs That You May Have a Mould Allergy

Some people are actually allergic to moulds. Symptoms of mould allergy are similar to those of other types of allergies and include:

Redness and itchiness in and around your eyes
Coughing
Wheezing
Runny nose or sinus congestion
Presence of a skin rash

If you suspect that you might have a mould allergy, talk to your healthcare practitioner.

Not sure if your home is causing your health problems? A great way to test this out is to stay somewhere else for a week and see if your symptoms improve. Provided that the place you’re staying at and your workplace don’t also have mould problems.

Don’t stage an all-out war against fungi and moulds. They’re just trying to survive in the wrong place (your house). You just need to systematically clear them out of your house. Keep in mind that not all mould is visible so you can call in an expert to test your home for toxic mould. If you are experiencing mould allergy or toxicity, make sure you get to the root of the problem rather than just treating the symptoms.
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