Mould requires a few things in order to survive. Organic materials to feed on and moisture. Your home ius full of plenty of organic materials for mould to live on such as wood, drywall and various other building materials. Moisture, on the other hand, can be controlled practically and so keeping the moisture in your home low is the best way to prevent mould growth.

Preventing moisture in the home

Most moulds need 24-48 hours of moisture to begin to grow. If a suitable material in your home is wet for more than 24 hours then you run the risk of mould starting to grow. You can see how important it is to try and keep the condensation in your home to a minimum. In a matter of days you could have a serious mould concern that isnt just a superficial visual problem.

Preventing water leaks in the home

Water leaks are one of the most frequent causes of mould in the home. Water leaks can be categorised as leaking roofs or walls, leaking pipes, taps or a leaking shower. If you have a water leak in your home you should look to purge it immediately.

Preventing condensation

Condensation is a frequent cause of moisture in the home. Condensation forms on cold surfaces when water vapor in the air cools and becomes liquid. In the home, you will often see condensation on metal pipes, concrete walls, water tanks and windows. Anywhere you get a barrier between hot and cold you will inevitably see condensation. Providing a form of barrier between the two will help to reduce condensation build up. You can also insulate the surfaces by such means as putting coverings over metal pipes. You will be able to achieve less condensation in the home if you keep the humidity low.

Reducing humidity

Many species of mould can begin to grow from humidity alone if the humidity stays high enough for long enough.

The humidity in your home only needs to be higher than 55% before some moulds can begin to grow.

The best way to keep humidity low in your home is through ventilation. You should open the windows during the day, especially when it's hot since this is when humidity is usually the lowest outside. It's especially important to ventilate the rooms where steam and moisture builds up. The worst offending rooms are the kitchen and bathroom but other rooms could include utility rooms. Extractor fans can help to reduce the humidity in these rooms as well as air conditioners and dehumidifiers.

Drying wet clothes in your home

A common cause of moisture in the home is wet clothes. It's always best to dry your clothes outside on a clothes line if you can. If you have to dry your clothes in your home, after you've washed them you should immediately dry them. Don't leave them sitting in a wet pile for a long time. Make sure not to leave any wet clothes lying around waiting to be washed too. Hanging them inside on a clothes horse or indoor clothes line will not dry them as quickly and the moisture from your clothes will evaporate into the air, raising the humidity. If you dry them in a clothes dryer inside your home then you should exhaust the air outdoors if possible. In either case make sure the room where you're drying your clothes is well ventilated.

Sunlight to Prevent Mould

Mould loves dark spaces indoors to grow in. Allowing sunlight in will reduce the chances of mould growing so open the curtains in rooms during the day to let natural light in.

Warmth and Preventing Mould

Most moulds don't ;grow in cold environments. Warm, humid conditions are ideal for mould growth. Most moulds need temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) or more to grow. The use of air conditioners to regulate the temperature of your house can help prevent mould growth.