Home Improvement Advice for Mold & Mildew

Where Does One Start Do it Yourself Tips for Mold & Mildew

If you are already living in the building and have concerns about its condition there are a number of actions you can take yourself to set those concerns at rest and which can become a part of your normal care for your house.

All woodrotting fungi and most woodboring insects require the presence of dampness, sometimes to a considerable degree to commence their damaging action; so dealing with damp or water penetration is vital.

A walk around your house to check that the garden is not banked up against the house walls above the level of the damp proof course or underfloor ventilators, that the rainwater pipes and gutters are in good condition and not leaking from the joints is often a good place to start.

Walls and down pipes showing typical damage and disrepair

If you have trees around, recourse to a ladder to investigate for blocked eaves gutters and the like is important. Remember ladders can be dangerous, if you are not happy on a ladder and you don't know how to secure it, go to your builder, and get him to do this check for you.

Look out for the evidence of a fault in your internal cisterns or water tanks which show by water discharging from the overflow on the outside. Long-term water discharge of this type can wet walls and eventually cause internal problems as well as cost you, by increasing your water bill! The presence of algae on the wall below the overflow is often a sign that all is not well.

A more obvious problem, relates to the condition of the external painting, is it cracking, or flaking, and is bare wood visible? If such problems are apparent, quick action with the paintbrush can avoid serious costs and tears in the future. Make sure that the window frames are well sealed to the wall.

Cracks in the brick or stonework, or the render or pebbledash coatings, may be indicative of serious building movement requiring the advice of a suitably qualified professional, such defects will also be the pathway for storm water penetration, particularly when it's raining hard and the wind is blowing. Such defects must be dealt with promptly.

If you believe that you have a serious problem of water penetration or a failure in your damp course (if there is one), you need to seek specialist advice from a recognised damp proofing contractor. You should ensure that tests on masonry for rising damp are undertaken using a 'carbide meter' and that the results are declared in the report, rather than reliance upon the use of resistance or conductance instruments alone.

Keeping your home dry and weather tight will help to reduce the risk of fungus and decay and unsightly damage to your decorations, it's well worth the effort.

There are many other items, which could be mentioned, but space is limited and giving you an indication of the most common faults will help to set you on the correct track. Regular external inspections should become a part of your ongoing care for your home.