Key takeaways
- ✓ Damp and mould are linked to respiratory symptoms, respiratory infections and worsening asthma — not just a musty smell and stains.
- ✓ Airborne mould particles can trigger eye and skin irritation, with children, the elderly and people with existing conditions most vulnerable.
- ✓ A damp house keeps producing mould until the underlying moisture problem is fixed — cleaning the stains alone won't solve it.
- ✓ Ignoring mould to save money now often costs far more later in repairs and health impacts.
- ✓ Persistent or widespread mould warrants professional testing and remediation, not just a wipe-down.
When mould becomes 'a way of life'
For a lot of households, a damp house with condensation on the windows, peeling wallpaper and mould creeping across the ceiling has simply become normal. Australia's climate and an ageing housing stock make the conditions for mould growth common. But a damp house is more than a musty smell and some ugly marks — living in one has real, documented effects on the health of the people inside it, and some of those effects are significant.
If you've been putting off dealing with the mould in your home, here's why it deserves a fresh look.
Respiratory problems
The most common health issues associated with mould are respiratory. It's not just the extra moisture in the air — it's the microbial particles mould releases, which float through your home and settle on damp surfaces. Inhaling these particles can cause a blocked or runny nose, wheezing and coughing, and the World Health Organization has found that people living in damp, mouldy buildings face an increased risk of respiratory symptoms, respiratory infections and asthma. For people who already have asthma, mould is a well-recognised trigger for attacks. Ongoing exposure in a damp home can also mean breathing difficulties and chest tightness that never quite go away — because the cause never goes away.
Skin irritation & eczema
The airborne particles in a damp home don't only affect the lungs. Mould exposure is also associated with irritation of the skin and eyes, and can aggravate conditions like eczema. This hits hardest for people who already live with skin conditions, but children and older people are vulnerable too. If your kids keep complaining of itchy, irritated skin and there's visible mould or persistent damp in the house, the two may well be connected — and removing the mould is the place to start.
Feeling generally unwell
People living in damp, mouldy homes also commonly report a cluster of broader symptoms — congestion, headaches, feeling run-down and unwell. Children in damp homes are particularly prone to blocked noses and recurring irritation. These symptoms are easy to blame on 'a bug going around', but when they persist and ease whenever you're away from the house, the house itself is the prime suspect.
Who's most at risk?
- ✓ Babies, children and the elderly
- ✓ People with asthma, allergies or other respiratory conditions
- ✓ People with existing skin conditions such as eczema
- ✓ Anyone with a weakened immune system
The real cost of ignoring it
Living in a damp house is genuinely harmful to your health, and mould never fixes itself — it keeps growing as long as the moisture that feeds it remains. Putting off repairs to save money now tends to cost far more later, in both remediation bills and health impacts. Small patches on hard surfaces can be cleaned, but persistent or widespread mould means an underlying moisture problem that needs to be found and fixed. If mould keeps returning after water damage, read our guide on how fast mould grows after water damage.
Need a hand in Sydney or Regional NSW?
One Prime responds 24/7 across Greater Sydney & Regional NSW. Our mould testing and removal and microbial remediation teams find the moisture source, remove the mould properly and leave your home genuinely healthier. Call 1300 774 631 or request a quote today.
Frequently asked questions
Can living in a mouldy house really make you sick?
Yes. Damp, mouldy buildings are linked to an increased risk of respiratory symptoms, respiratory infections and asthma. Common effects include a blocked or runny nose, wheezing, coughing, and eye and skin irritation, with children, the elderly and people with existing conditions most affected.
Does mould trigger asthma?
Mould is a recognised asthma trigger. For people who already have asthma, exposure to mould and damp can bring on attacks and worsen symptoms, so removing mould and fixing the moisture behind it is an important part of managing the condition at home.
Why does the mould keep coming back after I clean it?
Because cleaning removes the visible growth but not the moisture feeding it. Mould will keep returning until the underlying damp problem — a leak, rising damp, condensation or poor ventilation — is found and fixed.
When should I call a professional about mould?
If mould is widespread, keeps returning after cleaning, follows water damage, or anyone in the household has unexplained respiratory or skin symptoms, get a professional assessment. Professionals can test the extent of the contamination, trace the moisture source and remediate it properly.
Sources & further reading
This article is general information, not medical or legal advice. Last reviewed 16 January 2019 by the One Prime Solutions team.