House fungus and moisture problems: how to recognise them and remove them for good

House fungus is a hidden danger in damp homes and can cause both structural damage and health problems. In this blog, you will discover what house fungus is, how to recognise it, the dangers it poses and, more importantly, how to effectively control and prevent it.

25/02/2025

What is a house fungus?

House mushrooms, or by a nicer name Serpula lacrymans, are moulds that can develop in damp areas of your home. They often arise from moisture problems and can spread quickly. These fungi mainly target wood and can cause considerable damage.

House fungus can occur in various places in the house, from basements (where basement fungus is often found) to attics, and from kitchens to bathrooms. Especially in places where moisture, heat and wood come together, house fungus develops most rapidly.

This is how to recognise a house fungus

House mushrooms are often not visible until they are fully developed. Then you can recognise them through the following characteristics:

  • They usually have a round or oval shape
  • They are brownish-red in colour and they have white edges
  • You mainly find them in damp, poorly ventilated places with little light. Examples of such places are basements or crawl spaces. The warmer the environment, the better the house fungus will grow.

The spores of the house fungus are so small that they can hardly be seen with the naked eye. Only when they occur in large numbers do they form a rusty brown powder coating on surfaces. This can be an important indication of a house fungus infection in your home.

Causes of house fungus

In almost all cases, house fungus is caused by an underlying moisture problem. This fungus grows best in damp, poorly ventilated rooms, especially when the temperature is high and it is usually dark.

Some common causes are:

  • Rising damp, where water from the ground draws upwards through walls and floors.
  • Penetrating moisture, which occurs when rainwater penetrates through porous exterior walls.
  • Leaks, such as a leaking water pipe or roof, causing long-term moisture problems.
  • Insufficient ventilation, leading to condensation moisture and increased indoor humidity.

By addressing these problems in time, you can prevent the growth of house fungus and protect your home from damage.

Effects of house fungus

Discovering a house fungus in your home is obviously no fun. The consequences of such a house fungus are broadly similar to the general problems arising from moisture (problems) in a home. They can not only cause serious damage to the structure of the house, but also negatively affect the health of the occupants.

Property damage

A house fungus is an unwanted intruder in your home.

  • House fungus attacks wood, causing it to soften, rot and lose its stability. This is particularly problematic in wooden support structures, which can lose their load-bearing capacity as a result.
  • A house fungus also almost always affects wallpaper, painting and plastering, leading to crumbling walls and peeling paint.
  • In addition, a house fungus not only makes a home less safe, but also less attractive due to visible damage and a musty smell.

A health hazard

Not only are house mushrooms a hazard to your home, but they are also harmful to your health:

  • The fungal spores that house fungus spreads can lead to respiratory infections and respiratory problems.
  • People with allergies may experience additional symptoms such as sneezing, shortness of breath and irritated eyes.
  • Prolonged exposure can also cause skin problems such as eczema and itching.

Because house fungus can have serious consequences, it is important to control it as soon as possible and address the underlying moisture problems.

How to control house fungus?

Although it is theoretically possible to control house fungus yourself, this is strongly advised against. House fungus spreads quickly and deep into the home, so a superficial approach is not enough. The best solution is to hire a professional damp-proofing expert. An expert has the right knowledge, equipment and resources to tackle the problem effectively and permanently.

This is how a professional works

A professional approach follows a structured step-by-step plan to control house fungus effectively and sustainably:

  1. A moisture specialist first conducts a extensive control out to determine where the house fungus is located, the severity of the infestation and the underlying cause of the moisture problem.
  2. Subsequently, the specialist will take all remove contaminated wooden structures and materials that cannot be salvaged to prevent further spread.
  3. Thereafter, all fruiting bodies and fungal spores thoroughly removed. Affected surfaces are cleaned with special chemicals and in some cases the surfaces are even burned clean to prevent regrowth.
  4. To completely kill the house fungus and prevent further spread, the affected areas are treated with a specialised fungicidal product.
  5. If necessary, damaged structures, such as wooden beams or walls, repaired or replaced to ensure the stability of the house.
  6. Finally, the moisture expert will be the otackling the underlying moisture problem. This is because removing the house fungus alone is not enough. Without a structural solution to the moisture problem, such as improving ventilation, sealing leaks or treating rising damp, the house fungus is likely to return.

Prevention remains better than combat

Prevention is always better than cure. By taking the right measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of house fungus:

  • Ventilate adequately: ensure good air circulation in your home, especially in humid areas such as bathrooms, basements and kitchens.
  • Check moisture levels regularly: the humidity in the house should ideally remain between 40% and 60%. In addition, the moisture content in wood should not exceed 20%.
  • Avoid excessive heat: keep your home at a stable temperature and prevent rooms from getting too hot, as heat combined with humidity creates ideal conditions for house fungus.

Get assistance from AquaConsult

As mentioned earlier, house fungus is not only a threat to your home, but also to your health. Trying to combat the problem yourself is often not a good idea, as it leaves the underlying cause unresolved. A moisture expert will take a thorough approach, not only removing the fungus but also fixing the moisture problem.

Are you suffering from house fungus or another moisture problem? Ask now a free moisture expertise to AquaConsult.

Free expertise

More information and brochure request

Answer the questions below and get more information and our brochure based on them. Would you like the cost price calculated? Then indicate this clearly in the text field below and we will do the necessary.

AquaConsult

Advantages of AquaConsultRequest a free moisture diagnosis

Moisture problems

All moisture problemsDamp basementDamp wallsRising dampCondensation moistureMold

Moisture solutions

All humidity solutionsMoisture control methodsInjection of wallsPlasteringBasement sealingBasement drainageVentilation

Free expertise