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To prevent mould from growing and worsening in your home, it is crucial to recognise the root cause and tackle it as soon as possible

MOULD NO MORE: Humidity and condensation are the most common reasons mould occurs (Photo by Getty/iStockphoto)

Moisture, mould and mildew - come winter and almost all households invariably have to welcome these three pesky musketeers.

Mould and mildew are types of fungi that can quickly grow anywhere you find moisture. Even households with good insulation can suffer from this problem.

While it is relatively common, if left untreated, it can also cause serious harm to your health. Recently, the unfortunate death of Awaab Ishaak, a young boy who suffered prolonged exposure to mould, put the spotlight on just how damaging the problem can be.

READ MORE: What causes condensation and how to get rid of it for good

Though Awaab's tragic story is an extreme case, mould is a common issue for many people, especially now that households are limiting the use of central heating to keep their bills down. But a cold home can soon become a damp home, especially when you're hanging washing to dry inside too. What is mould? Mould is a fungus that breaks down dead material. It loves living in our homes, as they offer the perfect conditions for it to grow – a warm atmosphere, moisture and food in the form of paper, wood, carpet, dust and dirt.

The most common causes of mould and mildew on walls are condensation, humidity, and water leaks. And unless it’s dealt with and removed, it will continue to grow.

Obvious signs that you have a mould problem in your home include:

Can it make you ill? Yes, absolutely. Different types of moulds produce various kinds of allergens, irritants and sometimes even toxic substances that can cause respiratory problems and affect your immune system. From mild symptoms like runny nose, headaches and irritated eyes to severe complications like asthma, sudden infant death syndrome and even cancer - exposure to high concentrations of certain types of mould can cause this and lots more.

Can I remove mould myself? As long as it only covers a small area, mould is generally easy to eliminate by yourself. But if it you have severe and widespread mould then you should call a professional to get rid of it for you, safely and effectively.

However, mould spores can travel in the air when cleaning, so make sure you limit your exposure by wearing protective gear. Wear long rubber gloves to protect your hands and forearms and safety goggles to protect your eyes.

Before you begin, open the windows in the room you are working in, but close the doors to ensure mould spores don’t spread to other areas of your home. How to get rid of mould? You can get rid of the mould by following these simple steps:

How to prevent mould from occurring According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “The only way to control indoor mould growth is to control moisture.” To stop mould and mildew from ever coming back, it’s essential to get to the root of the cause of the damp in your house and take proper precautions.

Once the cause has been identified and treated, there are several things you can do to help reduce humidity and condensation in your home. Experts at Axa Home insurance shared some handy tips to combat humidity and ensure mould never comes back again:

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