Damp and water damage can take a serious toll on your home and lead to major repair bills. Unlike fire, which is a rare, cataclysmic event that you’ll definitely notice, water damage can build up over time, even years, until a problem that you could fix in an afternoon becomes a major disaster that will require hiring contractors and spending thousands of dollars.

Fortunately, there are some easy fixes that you can carry out yourself or with a short visit from contractors like ourselves. These won’t only prevent possible water damage, but will even add to the value of your home.

Foundation

You’d think that the solid concrete foundations of your home a rock-solid, but cracks can develop and even though it might not seem so, concrete is porous- water can go right through it.

You can waterproof and damp proof your basement, two different processes that should ideally be used together. According to building code, all you need is a dimpled membrane that stops groundwater from coming into contact with the walls and create space for the wall to ‘breathe’. However, adding full protection against both moisture and groundwater and filling in existing cracks with concrete sealant should protect you, with little upkeep in future.

Roof

This is your first line of protection against water damage, and unless you want to break out pots and pans to collect drips from the ceiling you’ll need to get it perfect. Make sure that chimneys, skylights and plumbing vents are properly sealed- and keep making sure, as they can crack over time. You’ll also need to check that shingles haven’t cracked and that your seals are sealed. In winter you should make sure that ice dams aren’t forming on your roof- these are walls of ice and snow that collect at the edge of the surface of your roof which prevent snow from running off, trapping water and causing costly damage.

Exterior Walls

As with the foundation, following building codes won’t get you the complete protection you’ll need. The concrete that your walls are made of can be mixed with substances that will make it waterproof and the exterior walls can be wrapped in an plastic sheet- you’ve probably seen blue Tyvek and Typar wraps around new buildings. If you have an older building you probably don’t have the same protection as a modern home, so contact a contractor to see what you need to be bought up to speed.

Gutters

They’re no fun to clean, but your gutters and drains need to be kept free of obstructions or you risk them either breaking or your drains overflowing and creating a pool of standing water that can get into your walls or basement. You’ll also want to make sure that the metal gutters in older buildings aren’t corroded- if so you might consider replacement.

Windows and Doors

Wooden door and window frames can swell in wet weather, and improperly installed windows and doors can let in moisture. Sealing them can be as simple as applying silicone, or could involve getting new doors and windows. Modernizing these won’t just improve waterproofing, but improve your home’s aesthetics and energy efficiency.

Given how disastrous a water leak can be and how much can value can be added from modernizing to waterproof your home, it’s hard to argue that it’s something that you can put off. If you’re lucky, a recently-built home should have good waterproofing already, whereas an older home could have dozens of problems that could cost thousands to fully fix. You’ll only know the extent of the repairs and upgrades that need to be made by calling and having a professional check your home for areas that can be improved.

If you are allergic or sensitive to mould, you may develop a stuffy nose, irritated eyes, wheezing or difficulty with breathing or skin irritation. People with weakened immune systems and with chronic lung diseases may be susceptible to infections.

Do not dry brush the mouldy area, as the brush can flick spores into the air where they may be breathed in. If you vacuum mould-affected areas, only vacuum using a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter. A HEPA filter is a type of filter that can trap large amounts of very small particles, which other vacuum cleaners would simply put back into the air.

If you’ve decided to remove mould, make sure there is good ventilation and wear protective clothing, such as a shower cap, rubber gloves, eye protection, overalls, suitable footwear and a P1 or P2 face mask (available from your hardware store).

Before deciding to wear a face mask, consider that:

• They can be hot and uncomfortable to wear.
• If the seal around the face and mouth is poor (for example, people with beards may not get a good seal), the face mask is much less effective.
• They can make it harder for you to breathe normally, so anyone with a pre-existing heart or lung condition should seek medical advice before using them.

If you are asthmatic and intend to do the clean-up work, keep your asthma medication with you at all times. If you show any signs of asthma, get some fresh air and follow your asthma action plan.

Steps for mould removal at home

There are three steps you can take when removing mould at home, including removing the source of moisture, removing the mould and preventing mould regrowth.

Remove the source of moisture

Mould will only grow in damp unventilated rooms. Check for sources of water from damaged pipes and drains and call a plumber if repairs are required.

Remove the mould

Wash clothing, bedding and other soft fabric articles, such as soft toys, in a washing machine on a hot cycle. Wash all the clothes you used for cleaning up separately to other clothes.

Other contaminated soft furnishings that cannot be put in a washing machine will have to be cleaned professionally. If this is not possible, they may need to be thrown out.

Thoroughly clean all affected hard surfaces. In many cases, household detergent can do the job if it is used correctly. Check the product’s label to see how much to use and on which surfaces they can be used. Do not mix detergents with bleaches, together in the same bucket, as this may release hazardous fumes. Apply the cleaner and give it time to work before you mop or sponge it up.

After cleaning a room or item, go over it again with an antibacterial disinfectant to kill germs and to remove any smells.

Prevent mould regrowth

Mould sometimes grows back after cleaning. If small areas of regrowth occur, treat them with either:

• vinegar solution (one part vinegar to three parts water)
• tea tree oil (two teaspoons in two cups in water)
• hydrogen peroxide solution (use as per label directions).

If large areas of mould regrowth occur, consult a mould remediation professional.

To reduce the chance of mould regrowth, it is important to dry the area where the mould grew. The simplest way to dry a room is to open doors and windows to thoroughly air the house.