You’ve probably heard about a house having mould or ‘damp’, especially here in New Zealand with the leaky homes crisis. Even if you’ve heard of it, you may not know what it is exactly, in which case, read on!
What is mould?
Mould is an actual organism, neither animal nor plant, but part of the fungus family. Its job in nature is to break down decaying matter, and you’ll find it wherever there’s organic material. Ultra violet light kills mould, so it needs moisture and darkness to thrive. As wood is organic, mould will grow on the inside of walls, eating away at the drywall or the insulation.
Why is it so dangerous?
Mould brings with it very serious medical problems, including allergic reactions, respiratory problems and toxic symptoms. Don’t forget, mould’s purpose is to eat organic material, so breathing it in is very serious indeed. When you do, your body’s immune system reacts to it, and this is what creates the allergic reactions. You can’t build up a tolerance to mould, so the more you’re exposed to it, the weaker you become, and the more sever the allergic reactions.
Usually when we breathe in these spores, our body rejects them by sneezing or coughing, but it doesn’t always work. Young children and the elderly are especially susceptible to mould, and if these spores germinate inside the lungs, they can cause inflammation, leading to sinusitis, bronchitis and other respiratory conditions. Some moulds release toxic chemicals called mycotoxins, which can be deadly. Symptoms include bleeding, damage to internal organs, mental impairment and even cancer.
Usually when we breathe in these spores, our body rejects them by sneezing or coughing, but it doesn’t always work. Young children and the elderly are especially susceptible to mould, and if these spores germinate inside the lungs, they can cause inflammation, leading to sinusitis, bronchitis and other respiratory conditions. Some moulds release toxic chemicals called mycotoxins, which can be deadly. Symptoms include bleeding, damage to internal organs, mental impairment and even cancer.
What can I do to treat it?
Removal of mould should be left to the professionals, but if there is a small amount (less than a metre squared), you can treat it yourself. There are various ways to get rid of mould, and a variety of household liquids which can help. Bleach, ammonia, baking soda, vinegar and detergent can all fight the fungus to name but a few. If you do have a go yourself, always use protective clothing, especially a dust filter mask or respirator, gloves and goggles.
How do I detect it?
This is the biggest problem concerning mould- how to find it. All it takes is moisture and darkness, and that pretty much describes the inside of every wall in your house. This is where we can help. We can see what the naked eye can’t. Using our thermal imaging cameras, we can check every square inch of your home, and see exactly where moisture and dampness are settling. Not only can we find and prevent mould from forming, we can show you where all the heat in your home is escaping from. With one of our thermal imaging inspections, we can not only save your health, but save you money too.
Why Heat Seekers?
When it comes to inspecting homes for moisture and leaks, there’s no one better than Heat Seekers. As certified operators, we guarantee professional, unbiased reports, with no predetermination in finding or hiding problems. We offer great value for money, and even include a free meth test on selected inspections. Put simply, we promise complete customer satisfaction, and that’s a guarantee.
Contact us here to find out more.
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