Mould Out with the
Experts reveal why black spores invade your home and how to banish them with Lisa Salmon
UNSIGHTLY and unhealthy mould, damp and condensation problems are surprisingly common in our homes.
Research by B&Q (diy.com) found a third (32 per cent) of people in the UK have some form of mould their home.
They have teamed up with the housing charity Shelter (shelter.org.uk) for the Break the Mould campaign, raising awareness around the dangers of leaving mould untreated.
Here experts James Edwards and Whinnie Williams tell you everything about mould and condensation...
1 The causes of mould
Mould can be caused by bad ventilation, not heating your home properly, poor insulation, humidity, and condensation, says Break the Mould. Condensation is the most common cause of mould, so the campaign stresses the importance of opening windows and heating your home appropriately.
2 Know reasons why condensation forms
James says condensation occurs when warm, moist air meets cooler surfaces – for example, in a steamy bathroom with a cold windowsill. “This is particularly prevalent in winter as temperatures drop, windows get closed and households turn on their heating,” he explained. “The excess moisture in the air quickly condenses, and homes are at risk of condensation - experts call this the dew point.”
3 Water vapour settles on the coldest spots
We produce water vapour every day through routine activities, such as drying wet clothes inside, cooking, boiling the kettle, showering and bathing, explained James.
This leads to increased indoor humidity – and without adequate ventilation, moisture gets trapped. It migrates from wet rooms, settling on the coldest spots on ceilings, walls and near windows – often in the corners of a room, on an outside wall. “Once the warm, wet air has settled on a cold surface as condensation, it creates the perfect breeding ground for mould, which can be toxic,” he warned. 4
“The best ways to permanently tackle condensation are by keeping a steady temperature throughout the property, keeping the air circulating and extracting excess humid air outdoors,” advised James. 5
To get rid of mould, you’ll need a mask, goggles, gloves, protective clothing, and a floor covering, explained TV homes and interiors expert Whinnie Williams. Spray a mould remover spray
How you can prevent condensation How to get rid of mould
onto the affected area, leave it for 30 minutes, and then scrub and wipe the surface with a cloth.
“Once you’ve removed the mould, keep the surface well ventilated and let it dry,” Whinnie suggested. “And to prevent it coming back, paint the area with an anti-mould paint. 6
Ventilation is crucial, said Whinnie, so open windows or buy a moisture absorber – drawing moisture out of the air. Mould likes damp, dark spaces, so check behind cupboards and drawers.“It can appear inside cupboards and get into clothes and shoes, so be sure to check in the corners on the inside, too,” she advised.
How to prevent mould 7 And if you rent...
Mould problems in a rented home are often a landlord’s responsibility. Renters should check what’s causing the issue and talk to their landlord before doing any work.