A WOMAN has revealed the brutal reality of the moisture in her newbuild which has even wrecked her footwear.
First-time buyer Megan Lewis was beyond excited to move into her new home – but her dream turned into a nightmare just weeks later.
According to Megan, who has documented the journey on TikTok, the property is riddled with mould and has water bubbling behind the walls.
The woman, who moved into the newbuild just eight weeks ago, claimed the site manager simply ”painted over” the mould and has since also given her ”a big industrial” dehumidifier.
To tackle the humidity issue, Megan has also purchased an electric dehumidifier, as well as smaller plastic ones ”that you can put in the wardrobe”.
”I’m gonna get my wardrobe doors taken off and just keep it very well-ventilated,” Megan told her followers in a recent video.
The TikToker, who posts under the username @meganlewis31, added ”the heating has been on the whole time and windows on the snitch”.
Despite doing everything to deal with the situation, the humidity has become so bad it’s damaged not just the property but even her shoes.
The homeowner shared horrifying snaps of the wrecked footwear, with what appeared to be fluffy mould on her heels and winter boots.
The footwear was so ruined, she even jokingly compared the mould to the ”crushed velvet” trend from a few years ago.
”I’m crashing out,” defeated Megan said in the video, adding the situation has left her ”crying”.
While experts have said newbuilds ”are more airtight and better insulated than ever”, the properties are ”not well ventilated, which leads to moisture being trapped inside a home with nowhere to go”, RNZ reported this September.
Just yesterday, we reported how one woman lost everything in just a few hours thanks to newbuild developers cutting corners.
Posted just one day ago, the shocking footage has taken the platform by storm, racking up close to a whopping 570k views.
Dozens flocked to comments in sheer horror, where many shared suggestions to tackle the issue – as well as their own stories.
What is mould and how to get rid of it?
Mould is more likely to grow during the winter months.
Olivia Young, Product Development Scientist at Astonish revealed exactly why this is.
“Unfortunately, mould is a common problem many people face during winter. It thrives in conditions that are warm and damp, so your bathrooms are likely to be the most affected place.
“That said, during the colder months most rooms in your home could be vulnerable to mould growing.
“This occurs primarily from condensation that builds up on your windows when you’ve got your radiators on.
“If you think about it, when windows and doors are closed, there’s not much chance for the air to circulate and the moisture to make a swift exit.
“This build up is what can cause dreaded mould to make an appearance, especially in bathrooms, as it creates that warm and wet environment that is a breeding ground for mould.
“If left untreated, not only is it unsightly but it can also pose a serious risk to your health, so it’s really important you treat it.
“The key to tackle mould is to act fast.
“Try to come into as little contact with it as you can. So, grab your gloves, tie up your hair and get to work to remove any signs of mould as soon as you notice them.
“To keep mould at bay, there are some simple solutions you can introduce throughout home.
“The first is keep it ventilated. Yes, even in the cold winter months try to leave your bathroom window open for at least 10/15 minutes post shower or bath. This will get rid of any excess moisture quickly preventing mould gathering.
“If you’re having a repeat problem with mould in one particular area, it might be because the humidity levels are too high. You can get a dehumidifier that will help keep the levels low and reduce the risk of mould returning.
“The golden rule to remember when dealing with mould is the quicker you can treat it, the better. If you leave it, it will only get worse so never ignore it!
“To successfully get rid of mould every time, I recommend opting for the UK’s No 1 Mould & Mildew Remover, that effectively removes mould and mildew stains almost instantly, with no scrubbing necessary.”
One person said: ”Your ventilation system isn’t working properly and needs to be investigated. Every fan needs checked.”
Someone else thought: ”All of these buildings are left to the elements whilst they’re built, it’s likely that the materials are sodden and the moisture content is off the charts.”
”The only way I got rid of years of mould in a new build was to move out,” another said.
”We had this, the block was soaking wet before they plastered so the moisture had no chance to escape. We had all the skirting removed as it was rotten and it took 6 months to fix the house,” a TikToker wrote.
”If they suggest a dehumidifier make sure they provide it and also pay your electric costs as they will rocket. Don’t let them fob you off, this isn’t normal or acceptable!”
