Damp, Mould and other Creepy-Crawlies

Nobody wants unwelcome guests in the home - and a particularly sensitive time would be just when you're wanting to sell your house and present it in the most attractive light. It's hardly conducive to a successful sale if something like the map of Europe is creeping dingily up a wall, or a couple of odd-looking occupants accompany a potential buyer around the rooms.

Damp and mould can attack even the best of houses, and it's something one should always keep an eye on - especially during the cold, wet winter months when these kinds of problems have their hardly noticeable beginnings. In both situations, invisibility is the prime problem to begin with: tiny cracks in plaster or tiles may go unnoticed literally for years until a patch or smell may alert you to a problem. Usually by then, it's a problem with a large price tag. And mould can grow anywhere - it doesn't mind, isn't fussy as long as there's dark, damp and warmth.

One of the most important things you can do should you wish to place your house on the market, is first check for these problems, and find lasting solutions.

Damp and Mould

The mould inspection

Mould growth can be well hidden; it can grow behind walls or above ceiling tiles, so it is important to check for the presence of mould anywhere that may show signs of damp, or where water damage may have occurred. Stains or discolouration on walls, window frames, window sills, floors, carpets, ceilings, etc. Signs of leaks can be quite hard to trace, but smell can be a dead giveaway that something is amiss.  It's quite scary to note that mould will begin to grow within 48 hours - so the moment you spot it, leap into action.

Drivers of mould and damp would include:

• daily activities such as showering or bathing, washing clothes or cooking, if exhaust fans are not working properly or are not used
• infiltration of water from the outside when there are cracks or leaks in the foundations, floors, walls, windows or roof
• plumbing leaks (which are probably the most tricky to find)
• moisture condensation on cold surfaces such as window panes
• flooding due to weather conditions (snow melt, storm surges, prolonged or heavy rainfall)
• inadequate ventilation that causes moisture to accumulate indoors, and is prevented from being vented to the outside, creating damp and warmth that mould loves.

Taking action

It's good to know that moisture problems are both preventable and fixable, but they require vigilance and quick action, and continued vigilance thereafter because even if the mould has been identified and solved, it can very quickly reappear.

• ensure rain and irrigation water drain away from the house by sloping the grade away from the building
• keep eaves and downpipes clean of debris and ensure the outflow runs away from the house and not into neighbouring foundations
• repair plumbing leaks promptly
• use exhaust fans, ventilation and air conditioning systems to vent moisture outdoors
• in areas that are likely to get wet, such as kitchen, bathroom, laundry areas, use moisture tolerant materials
• try and run a dehumidifier where moisture is condensing on cold surfaces such as window panes.

Damp and Condensation

Damp is so often the root cause of mould. It can cause wooden floors and windows to rot, and even get into furniture fabric and bed linen. It's also unhealthy and can contribute to colds, flu, and generally uncomfortable living. When it brings about mould, further health issues in the form of allergies can take hold. So you must fight it on all fronts, even that condensation that appears in the winter on window panes.

Taking action

It seems simple enough, but there are so many ways moisture moves around your house. Cooking steam, wet washing hanging indoors, warming the house without ensuring proper ventilation.

• Extractor fans are an effective way to get rid of moist air and steam so that less condensation forms. These can be fitted in your ceilings, especially your kitchen and bathroom, to run continuously during the damp winter months. They use very little electricity.
• Keep doors shut and windows open to allow steam to exit small spaces. Let fresh air circulate to avoid mould forming where air is still.
• Make sure there is a gap between your furniture and the walls, and give wardrobes and cupboards a good airing whenever you can - at least once a month in the winter season.
• Insulate and draught-proof your home. Sounds a bit of a contradiction, but warm homes suffer less from condensation, but you must allow for ventilation accordingly.
• Don't be shy to heat your home a little more. Very cold rooms are more likely to get damp and mould which may end up being more expensive than using extra electricity. Consider using a room heater with a timer and temperature control. And also remember that unused rooms will need a good airing from time to time.
• Windows and external doors can be draught-proofed, and you should consider secondary glazing if your windows are draughty.

The Uninvited

Cockroaches can leach out of drains and fly into your house - and once they settle on your home as a good source of sustenance, you're in trouble. If a female cockroach laden with eggs flies in through a window, and scuttles under a cupboard to have her babies, you're in big trouble. Any sign of cockroaches in or around the house and the drains must be dealt with immediately. Fumigate properly, or call in the experts. These creepies have a habit of returning if you don't bring out the big guns right away.

House Dust Mites are a pollutant linked strongly to allergies, particularly asthma. Studies have revealed that humid homes have more mites and, subsequently, more allergens. Most mites are found in bedding and carpets - and of course, undusted areas. Keeping the house scrupulously clean, dusted and polished is helpful in presenting a cared-for, spruced and fresh home for sale.

Rats may have nothing to do with temperature, but can find their way in at any time of the year. But a neglected house with damp and mould would probably also present a good environment for our slinky friends. Keeping your house clear of basic intrusions like damp, mould, and other creepies, will certainly help to make your house a more saleable prospect.

Leapfrog Property Group

Leapfrog Property Group offers a fresh and innovative approach to buying, selling, renting and property investments, ensuring the best property deals for clients across South Africa. Our agents are qualified, trained, experienced; our approach bold and spirited, driven by heart, generosity and honesty. It is our mission to advise,  eliminate obstacles and save you unnecessary expense. Trust is our watchword. And value our motto. Armed with our combined credentials, we are the bright face of excellence in the South African market.