What you need to know to remove dangerous mould safely from your home.

South-east Queenslanders impacted by floods and rain events have been urged to look out for mould in their homes.

The combination of heat, humidity and water can cause mould to appear in the weeks and months following wet weather.

University of Sydney Infectious Disease Specialist Dr Justin Beardsley said breathing in, eating, drinking or touching mould could cause health issues.

“Exposure to fungal spores, released by the moulds that surround us in everyday environments, is increasingly recognised as a cause of ill-health,” Dr Beardsley said.

“Diseases range from allergy-driven worsening of asthma, through long-term low-grade infections, to serious invasive infections.

“People with other health conditions, especially those with lung disease or taking immuno-suppressing medication, are particularly at risk and are advised to avoid heavy exposure to fungal spores wherever possible.”

Mould often discolours wall, ceilings and other surfaces but may also be present when you can’t see it.

You may be able to detect a musty or unpleasant odour even if mould isn’t visible.

The first step to removing mould is drying out the area as quickly as possible.

Open windows and use fans to speed up the process.

It’s essential to follow safety precautions, including wearing appropriate protective equipment such as safety goggles, gloves and a disposable respirator with a P1 or P2 filter.

Your home and contents insurance may cover the removal of mould if it is determined to be the result of flooding or storm damage.

The Queensland Government Department of Housing recommends the following steps to remove mould from walls, ceilings and hard surfaces:

Remove mould using a suitable mould remover, such as:

Water-damaged family heirlooms such as photos, books, paintings and letters can be prone to mould outbreaks. If you can’t bear to throw out a mouldy heirloom, the State Library of Queensland has developed a guide to assist Queenslanders to treat mould-affected material.

Source: Queensland Government Community Support, Department of Housing

The information in this article has been prepared for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal advice or specific advice to any particular person. Any advice contained in the document is general advice, not intended as legal advice or professional advice and does not take into account any person’s particular circumstances. Before acting on anything based on this advice you should consider its appropriateness to you, having regard to your objectives and needs.