Moisture and mould are common in many homes. In most cases they can be avoided by improving the ventilation in the home, and making adjustments to the amount of steam and water egress into the home. When moisture levels inside a home reach high levels, molds and dust mites appear, causing serious health problems for some, including allergies, asthma and stachybotrys poisoning.

in addition to the health hazards in a home with high moisture levels, these homes are very energy inefficient. This is because it damp or moist air is much harder to heat than dry air, causing your heating bill to escalate.

There are many things you can do to improve the health of your home, and its inhabitants, including:

Floor insulation - moisture can be the result of dampness under the house being transferred into the home. If your underfloor area is damp, install a vapour barrier such as a plastic ground-sheet or insulation panels.
Reduce Condensation - condensation occurs when excess water vapour in the air comes in contact with cold surfaces. This is common on the inside of windows on cold days, and bathroom walls and mirrors in poorly ventilated bathrooms. Condensation encourages the growth of mould on wallpaper, curtains and ceilings.
Air Storage Rooms and Contents - Mould often grows on items such as clothes, shoes and cellulose based items stored in wardrobes or cupboards.
Improve Ventilation - especially in bathrooms and bedrooms by opening a window to increase air circulation, and allow moisture to escape.
Install a Ventilation System - forced ventilation systems replace moist air in the house with dry air from the ceiling. Forced ventilation systems don't suit flat-roofed houses.
Reduce Moisture Ingress - Keep lids on saucepans when cooking and install a rangehood over the stovetop and a bathroom fan vented to the outside. Ensure clothes dryers are also vented outside. Don't hang wet clothes or washing inside to dry.
Use Efficient Heating Systems - avoid using unflued gas heaters and portable LPG heaters
Keep Your Home Envelope Watertight - enure roofs and guttering are in good condition and sealants are still working effectively. Ensure air can circulate freely under the house.
Water Mangement - check for any leaky pipes dripping under the house or within the walls.
Dehumidifiers and forced ventilation systems - these take a lot of energy, but if other methods still do not sufficiently contain the moisture in your home, they are a better option than health problems.

Regardless of the techniques you deploy, the key aim is to get dry air into the house and moist air outside. Using air purifiers or dehumidifiers with effective Filters below one micron are the best way to eliminate insulation fibres and dust mites from the air.

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