You’re holed up at home. Perhaps you’re living under lockdown. You enter your bathroom and notice an unwelcome guest. It’s here. It’s…mould.

But fear not! CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has an expert to help rid your homes of mould.
 
It’s been a wet winter, and with many of us spending these cold days inside, you might have noticed a build-up of this unfriendly fungus. 
 
Simply put, mould is a fungal growth that thrives on moisture.

Mould thrives in damp, dark, poorly ventilated environments, like your bathroom or laundry.

It can grow on carpets, curtains, walls, ceiling tiles, insulation material, behind furniture, and in cluttered storage areas.
 
Mould is an issue in many houses in Australia, especially in southern states where you’re more likely to close up your home during winter. 
 
Apart from adding an unpleasant dinginess to your home, mould can damage building materials, costing you money in maintenance.

It can also cause health problems: mould releases toxic chemicals, called mycotoxins, that can cause allergic reactions for some people.
 
Out with the mould, in with the new!
 
So what can you do when mould takes hold? And how can you prevent it in the first place?
 

Anthony Wright, CSIRO scientist and former building designer, gives us hints on breaking the mould and dealing with moisture in your house. You can read some of his suggestions at the CSIROscope blog.

Anthony can answer questions like:

• How do you get mould in your house? 
• How do I stop my home going mouldy?
• Once you have mould, what can you do about it?
• Whose fault is it if your new house gets wet inside?
• Do energy efficient houses cause moisture issues?
• How can I design a house that’s warm and cosy, but not prone to mould? 

Dr Tim Law is also available for interview. Tim an architectural scientist at Victoria University, whose expertise is the connection between condensation, mould and health impacts.