Mould.. Ugly dark spots on walls and ceilings, smelly and unhealthy and why should I take it seriously?
It usually grows in places with a lot of moisture, such as roofs, windows, or walls. Mould grows well on paper products, GIB board, ceilings, and timber like jambs and sills. Mould can also grow in dust, paint, wallpaper, insulation, carpets, curtains, clothes, mattresses and upholstery. But also on hard surfaces like shower screens, glass, ceramic tiles and plastic curtains.
Where does it come from?
Moisture.. produced by cooking, especially on gas stoves, secretion from our bodies or condensation because of the temperature differences between interior and exterior air.
How does it affect us?
When black mould spores are present in large quantities, they can present a health hazard to humans, potentially causing allergic reactions and respiratory problems.
Some moulds also produce mycotoxins that can pose serious health risks to humans and animals.
Exposure to high levels of mycotoxins can lead to neurological problems and in some cases, death. Prolonged exposure, or daily exposure, may be particularly harmful.
Unseen mould can spread behind wall linings, timber framing or external cladding.
Visual deterioration like ugly stains, nasty smells and swelling.
Moisture trapped within a structure can result in structural decay like timber rot, sagging insulation or swelling Gib boards which lead to costly repairs.
A reduction in the building’s energy efficiency can occur due to moisture in the insulation and sagging of the insulation.
Inside your home you can control mould growth by:
Control humidity levels with a dehumidifier.
Fix leaky roofs, windows, and pipes.
Thoroughly clean and dry after flooding.
Ventilate shower, laundry, and cooking areas mechanically.
Ventilate Bedrooms and living rooms by opening windows.
Replace single glazing with double glazing with the highest R value.
Replace aluminium windows with Upvc or timber windows.
Use thermally broken aluminium windows.
Get rid of mould colonies before it starts to spread.
When infected building materials start to decompose, replacement may be the only solution.
How to get rid of mould?
Inside your home you can control mould growth by:
Kill the visible and invisible surroundings of mould with a product like Selleys Rapid Mould Killer, 30 seconds mould of or Exit Mould.
Spray a large amount on infected area.
Scrub and wash of the residue
Apply a mould stop primer on large infested walls ceilings and timber window sills.
Repaint with a mould and mildew proof paint.
Wash curtains.
Spray carpets and mattresses with a suitable mould killer.
Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. Mixing bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products will produce dangerous, toxic fumes.
Use face mask and protective clothes when handling mould.
DIY or get a professional to do it for you.
