The Northern Beaches is a beautiful place to live and work, but with it comes a climate that is prone to that horrible substance called MOULD.
My name is Amy Stitt and I have personally overcome mould illness and manage my allergies. This led me to the building biology industry and I am a certified Mould Testing Technician and BB student.
Many of my clients are parents with children presenting with mould related health symptoms or diagnosis. I would like to offer a few practical tips on how to identify, remove and prevent mould in the home.
Mould requires an environment with a moisture source and a food source, these can be basic things such as condensation on your windows and dirt and dust build up in your home.
3 tips to identify mould:
- A damp/musty odour – this odour comes from the mVOCs being released into the indoor environment and a sure sign there is a mould issue
- Visible mould – if you have visible mould, chances are there is a lot more hidden in the home too
- Cracked or peeling paint – this a sign of moisture and likely mould growth
3 tips to remove mould:
- Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when dealing with ANY mould
- Only try to remove visible mould less than A4 in size, greater than that I recommend engaging an IICRC Mould Remediator
- Avoid “mould killer” products – use a warm soapy water mix with basic detergent, microfibre cloth and dry tea towel
3 tips to prevent mould:
- Ventilate! As humans we create a few litres of water vapor per day through showering, cooking, etc., and we need that moisture to exit our homes within 24-48 hours to prevent mould growth
- Exhaust fans – Use them! During cooking and showering and for at least 10 minutes afterwards
- Declutter – dust and dirt can gather in a cluttered home, add a few days with high relative humidity and you have a suitable environment for mould
For further information or to discuss having a moisture and mould assessment of your home, please go to: www.beachesbuildingbiology.com