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Mould: The danger that grows even after floodwaters have passed

The floodwaters may be subsiding, but many homes will be left facing a very different kind of threat.

Weeks of high levels of moisture in the air has led to dangerous levels of fungi and mould taking hold in homes.

Fungi and mould thrive in wet environments, and anything that was once a plant is at risk, Flinders University researcher Michael Taylor said.

LIVE UPDATES: 'Biblical' rain leaves devastation on NSW Northern Beaches

Researchers are studying the link between mould and a broad range of health problems.

That includes the timber in a home as well as the paper lining in gyprock.

"The problem is trapped moisture, that's when we really start to see leaks and indoor mould," Dr Taylor told 9news.com.au.

"There's a critical threshold when fungi begins to grow."

When fungus takes hold, it can eat away at the timber of homes in a way that can cause dangerous structural damage.

Dangerous levels of mould and fungi can take hold during flooding, when the indoors of homes get wet and are unable to dry quickly enough.

For those getting back inside a flood-affected home, there are things untrained people can do.

READ MORE: Mould warning as mop up from record-breaking floods begins

Mould can be a serious health issue when moving back into water-damaged homes.

"Removing anything big, very absorbent pieces of furniture, rugs, carpets, and other things you probably won't be able to dry successfully in time," Dr Taylor said.

"Drying can be very helpful in some circumstances, but if the problem has progressed too far, you should probably seek professional assistance."

He said it was important for people to check if dealing with mould is covered by their insurance policy.

"If you've got a whole lot of visible mould growth on surfaces, that's the point I'd start to get an expert involved," he said.

Professional mould removers typically use a method known as fogging to remove the mould.

The method uses chemicals to remove the mould without spreading spores through the air.

In rental properties, if the mould is caused by leaks in the roof or pipes or other structural flaws, the landlord is responsible for fixing it.

But if the mould is growing because the tenant is allowing the home to remain damp through negligence, they can be found responsible.

If a tenant is aware of a structural problem like a leaky pipe or roof but don't let the landlord know, the tenant could be held responsible for mould.

Many people are seeing mushrooms springing up inside their homes, which is structurally more of a concern, according to Dr Taylor.

"That probably speaks to a very serious problem that probably indicates wet inundated timbers," he said.

"You'd probably want an expert to look at it."

He added people should definitely not eat them.

READ MORE: How to deal with mould in your home

Elli found a mushroom growing in her bathroom in Sydney.

Sydney woman Elli found a mushroom growing in her bathroom yesterday.

"I was in the middle of cleaning, I bent down and noticed a mushroom or toadstool growing between the wall and vinyl behind the shower," she said.

"Not the indoor plant I really wanted in there."

Elli's home wasn't flood damaged, but has been subject to the weeks of rain that have drenched Sydney.

"We've had leaks throughout the house," she said.

"The rain has been so constant it's impossible to keep the place dry and furniture feels damp to the touch."

READ MORE: Mould making life for some Aussies 'living hell'

In addition to the structural ramifications of mould and fungi, it can also cause serious health problems.

Those with immune disorders are particularly vulnerable to health problems from exposure to mould.

More mild symptoms include itchy eyes and itchy throats. People with asthma can have their condition aggravated by mould.

Both Sydney and Brisbane are forecast to have several days of relatively dry weather this week.