Moisture Mould and Insulation

It will come as no surprise that our bathrooms generate the most moisture in our homes. Baths are getting bigger and holding more water and shower heads are becoming more sophisticated and dispelling water in a number of streams. Showering is no longer just a cleansing routine but a luxurious past time. Hence, the moisture levels in our bathrooms are growing.

Persistent moisture can cause problems when it starts to affect the structure. This can lead to paint cracking, wallpaper peeling off, rotten floors (see episode two), mould or mildew.

Mould is a fungus that grows on food or damp building materials. If left to grow it can contribute to poor air quality. Fungus needs warmth and moisture to grow � something our bathrooms have plenty of.

When is mould a concern and when could it effect your health?

If you have a poor immune system
If you are exposed to significant moisture over a period of time
Effects are dependent on the type of mould and the level of toxicity

The best way to avoid mould growth is appropriate ventilation (we look into this next week on The Drawing Board) and selecting mould resistant materials.

Starting with the ceiling, Matt and Rowena have gone with James Hardie Villaboard Lining which is made from fibre cement. Fibre cement is manufactured here in New Zealand. It uses low-toxicity raw materials to produce durable, easily worked, lightweight building materials. Click here to download the Smarter Products for Sustainable building Manual.

With Villaboard Lining�s resistance to moisture damage and 15-year product warranty, it�s an ideal lining for wet areas in your home. It can also be used on the walls as a tiling substrate or painted for a smooth finish.

Matt and Rowena have gone with Dulux Mould Shield � a premium quality 100% acrylic paint specially designed to prevent interior mould growth. It�s hardwearing, easily washable and offers a five-year guarantee on mould resistance.

While the linings are off it�s a perfect time to line the walls with insulation. They�ve gone with acoustic insulation - Pink Batts Silencer to the internal walls in the bathroom. This is a great idea when your bathroom is close to living areas and gives you the added bonus of being warm and quiet.

Matt and Rowena selected James Hardie Horizon Lining Day Break and White Cloud to line their bathroom walls. Because this product is pre-finished (no painting required) and can be fixed direct to stud (no need for a backing board), it saves you money. It�s also back-sealed to assist in moisture resistance.

Tile and Slate underlay is a board specially designed for use as a tile substrate for internal floors � perfect for this moisture resistant bathroom! In this case we�ve installed it over the newly replaced floor. James Hardie Tile and Slate Underlay is designed to protect the finished tile floor from movement that occurs naturally in timber and particle board or plywood floors. Come back in week five where we reveal the tiles!

Finally, this week we also saw the windows and doors get a coat of paint. Dulux Aquanamel Semi Gloss was chosen because it dries to a glossy, smooth and tough finish that resists chips making it perfect for these high traffic areas. A hard wearing paint will take the usual wear and tear knocks and continue looking good.

Another tip for mould prevention is when applying silicone. Always use a rubber glove and not your finger. Your finger leaves behind bacteria that gets into the silicone and causes mould to grow.

GREEN TIP: use clove oil (available from health food stores) with water after you�ve cleaned away mould to stop it coming back.