New airtight homes trap condensation around steel frames and aluminium windows, creating ideal conditions for mould growth. Once mould gets into walls, it's nearly impossible to remove without professional help. The solution: skip conductive materials and seal insulation gaps to prevent thermal bridges.
How to ensure your new home isn't a haven for dangerous mould. You don't have to visit too many homes in Adelaide Hills to spot mould. It's everywhere, and sadly, too often in brand new homes. You wouldn't put up with a new car that comes with mould, so you shouldn't put up with it in your new home. What causes mould? Mould develops in areas of persistent moisture that have low ventilation. Moisture often occurs in homes where there is a difference in temperature between the internal air and the temperature of the internal building materials, sort of like the way your soft drink can gets wet on the outside on a hot day. Why are so many new homes developing mold? Higher building code standards, especially when it comes to energy efficiency, has caused product manufacturers to increase the air seals on their products. This reduces airflow, which leads to an airtight home that helps to maintain a more consistent inside temperature. The problem is there have not been matching improvements in the building code for condensation management, and if a tight home has thermal bridges— areas where internal and external building materials of different temperatures are connected by another material— condensation often occurs. That's why so many new homes develop mold around windows and in the corners that face external walls. This is especially prevalent in new steel frame homes because steel is an efficient conductor that creates a thermal bridge. Dangers of mold. Mold in a home can trigger a runny or blocked nose, irritation of the eyes and skin, sneezing, coughing, and wheezing. People who are vulnerable to allergies can suffer even more with skin rashes, respiratory infections, and asthma. And long-term exposure to mold has possible links to more serious, life-altering, and potentially threatening conditions. The question to consider is, what price do you place on your health? Mould is an issue you should not ignore. How to get rid of mould? Once mould gets into your home, it's very difficult to totally remove because the mould you see is just the tip of the iceberg. The majority of mould grows deep into your gyprock and even spreads throughout your walls. Plus, tiny spores spread through the air into other areas of your home. Professional treatment is recommended, but several DIY recipes that contain cloves, tea tree oil, and vinegar can be found online. How to make sure your new home isn't isn't prone to mould. The key is to have total separation between internal and external building materials. This is achieved in 2 ways. First, don't use building materials that are conductive, including aluminium windows and steel wall frames. Secondly, ensure you use the right insulation, installed correctly, so there are no gaps and no thermal bridges between internal and external building materials. Free expert advice to ensure your new home is not a haven for dangerous mould. Building a healthy, mould-resistant home takes attention to detail, both in design and construction, and something as seemingly minor as a thermal bridge can set you in a vicious cycle where you're fighting to keep mould at bay. Whether you're ready to build or still looking at your options, one of the best things you can do is pick up a copy of our special report, The 5 Keys of an Energy Efficient Builder.
