Is your home making you sick?
It’s confronting to consider, but sadly many of us live in homes that are silently sabotaging our health without even realising it.
And mould? Is one of those nasty culprits.
The perfect breeding ground
When you combine inadequate weatherproofing, moisture/humidity, and poor ventilation, you have the perfect breeding ground for mould.
Recent studies estimate 1 in 3 Australian homes may be affected by toxic mould. And up to 50% of new Aussie homes may have mould and condensation issues.
This same study shows we have learned to accept excess condensation, high humidity, and mould as "normal" in our homes. Especially when it comes to seeing it in our bathrooms and windows.
Why all the mould?
Moisture and condensation issues are major contributing factors, often caused by:
External air and water leaks
Thermal bridging
Lack of condensation management
Lack of airtightness or too much airtightness without adequate ventilation
Windows with low thermal performance
Lack of adequate insulation or heating/cooling systems
Chronic health risks
While mould exposure may not be immediately harmful to most... prolonged exposure in your home can create a toxic environment that gradually deteriorates physical and mental health.
Especially for children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing conditions.
I was listening to an episode from the Undercover Architect podcast a while back where Amelia interviewed Building Biologist and Founder of The Healthy Home, Zara D’Cotta.
Zara’s experience with chronic illness led her down a path of exploration, only to find the same villain following her from home to home: mould.
I’ve always known prolonged exposure to mould could be dangerous, but I didn’t realise the severity of it.
Much less did I realise the important role builders can play in helping prevent the growth of mould to begin with.
And sorry to further dampen the mood (hopefully the pun helps), but the majority of homes in New South Wales have nailed that formula. Which means your house may also be home to mould without you even realising it, especially in high humidity, low temperatures on external building elements, or after big storms.
Though often hidden behind the walls, prolonged mould exposure can manifest in a range of symptoms, from chronic headaches and fatigue to more serious respiratory issues.
A (healthy) way forward
Here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to be this way.
At Amity Builders, we believe that everyone deserves a home that supports their health and wellbeing.
That’s why we’re passionate about educating you on the importance of home health and empowering you with the knowledge and tools to create safer, healthier, and ultimately more comfortable living spaces.
We believe that informed decisions are the best decisions, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Keen to learn more? Get in touch!
Sources: Coulburn, L.; Miller, W. Prevalence, Risk Factors and Impacts Related to Mould-Affected Housing: An Australian Integrative Review; Greenworks, LLC; Victor Coppola, Building Biologist; Center for Disease Control
Hi, we’re Amity Builders
We’re a passionate bunch who are tired of seeing homeowners around Australia settle for subpar living conditions. We combine our love for building, building science, and building relationships to create healthy, comfortable, and energy efficient living experiences for people. We’d love to get to know you!
