As winter approaches, more Seymour residents are growing concerned about insulating and heating their homes.
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But as the cold season kicks off this year with persistent rainfall, many Seymour homeowners are expected to face increased risk of dampness which could lead to harmful growth of mould or mildew.
Depending on your method of heating, you could be keeping moisture locked into your property and further adding to your risks of mould growth.
Prevention and diligent monitoring are the key elements to eliminating the growth of mould in and around your home.
For Seymour residents, here are some essential measures for reducing risks of moisture damage around your home and property during our coming wet (and potentially even frosty) winter weather.
Routine Plumbing Maintenance Requirements
Your home’s plumbing system can be susceptible to fault when subjected to freezing temperatures.
Old or poor indoor plumbing may be relying on degrading pipes that are at elevated risks of rust, cracking, and water contamination.
In winter, there are also increasing risks of frozen pipes leading to clogs and potentially even burst pipes, which will require the assistance of an emergency plumber to curb risks of excess moisture damage to your underfloor and your property foundation.
If you have reason to suspect your property is experiencing a plumbing fault, it’s essential that you enlist the support of a plumber as promptly as possible.
Alongside running diagnostics in the event of a suspected fault, your plumber can also perform vital routine maintenance that can help keep your plumbing systems in good working order throughout winter and spring weather.
Checking for signs of leakage near water heaters, or beneath sinks is also a good way to ensure that pipes are functional between plumbing maintenance appointments.
With a little extra vigilance, you can ensure your property’s plumbing system operates as expected even in the face of excess rainfall and frosty winter mornings.
Inspecting Roofs and Gutters
Leaks and blockages across your roof gutters are actually amongst the most common culprits for moisture buildup in Australian homes.
As such, your rooftop gutters should routinely be cleared of any debris or damage to keep drainage consistent, but checking your piping for any leaks is also important to prevent indoor flooding.
Rusty spots could be a cause of concern even if they are not currently causing leakage.
These weakened spots could be vulnerable with the added stress of wet weather and cooler temperatures, especially given the conditions will be unlike those experienced in the peak of summer.
It’s always best to err on the side of caution and to replace any parts of your home drainage system that are beginning to show signs of wear and tear.
Ventilate Damp Areas
In addition to replacing or sealing places that can be susceptible to leaks, having ample ventilation can be crucial for moisture control across more confined spaces throughout your home.
For instance, when using indoor heating appliances, condensation may build up on the windows.
This is a sign of natural moisture buildup but if not addressed, could progress into the harmful growth of mould.
Simply cracking open a window on a dry day will help to eliminate this condensation, even if it may let in a cool draught.
If ventilation through an open window is not possible, or if you aren’t keen on welcoming in a cool breeze, exhaust fans offer an elegant solution.
In high moisture areas like bathroom, laundry, or kitchen spaces, an exhaust fan can help combat this buildup of excess dampness.
If you’re looking for a simpler way to keep the rooms in your house devoid of condensation buildup, using a dehumidifier is an absolute gamechanger.
Dehumidifiers work by sucking in the damp and cool air before heating it and redistributing it, leaving the moisture in a catch tray within the device.
This is a great way to keep your space dry whilst subtly heating up the air within your rooms.
Monitoring for Mould and Mildew
As mentioned before, monitoring moisture prone areas is important for keeping your home mould free.
Regularly checking ceilings, walls, windows and windowsills for moisture buildup and early signs of mould growth can help you identify which areas are still struggling with ventilation.
If you do happen to find mould however, there is no need to panic.
Mould can grow sporadically in high moisture areas without being a sign of deeper, significant damage.
If the area experiencing mould growth is small or well-contained, then it’s best to use a mould-killing cleaner, or simple white vinegar.
However if the area is significant or the mould growth persists even after treatment, then it may be a sign to seek professional assistance to identify the problem and address it.
Professional mould removal specialists can use treatments designed to eradicate mould spores across all areas of your home, including in ceiling cavities, ventilation for ducted or split system heating and cooling units, and underfloor areas. Mould treatments can be performed in just one day.
However, your property will typically need to be vacated during chemical mould treatments, so it’s best to plan your mould removal appointments in advance to ensure the safety of your family and to maintain a proactive approach to managing the air quality in your home.
Note too that even after a mould treatment, the original moisture sources that triggered mould growth may still need to be mitigated.
Do not delay on correcting these moisture triggers, as failure to do so may result in mould regrowth over time.
Act now, save later
For all Seymour homeowners, there is no better time than the present to centre local health and prosperity.
In addition to heating, part of this winter preparation should be enhancing your moisture control measures to save yourself costly repairs in the future.
With ever changing weather conditions, and a winter season that is certain to be chillier than ever, keeping our community safe means keeping your abode healthy and fungus free.
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