Despite our pleasant, sunny climate which we exploit to its full potential in an effort to entice tourists to our islands, the high temperatures coupled with high humidity levels don’t make for the best conditions when it comes to our homes.
Mould is a common enemy that appears in the form of unsightly black patches on our walls and ceilings and if left untreated can lead to serious consequences, both for the health of the property and for your own health.
Mould is a fungal growth that can usually be found in dark, damp or steam filled rooms such as the bathroom, kitchen or laundry room; however, it could also affect cluttered storage spaces, recently flooded areas, basements, plumbing spaces and areas with poor ventilation.
Allowing mould to spread on your walls and ceilings will damage the paint and stone work apart from staining the wall; however, worse still is that it could lead to health issues and mould allergies.
Symptoms include watery, itchy eyes, chronic cough, headaches, breathing difficulties, rashes, tiredness, sinus problems, nasal blockages and frequent sneezing.
In order to prevent mould from growing in your home and reduce the risk of mould contamination start by taking precautions and eliminating areas where it could grow.
Mould occurs as a result of moisture in the atmosphere condensing onto cold surfaces, so the basic rules of preventing mould are: produce less moisture, ventilate well to reduce moisture and insulate and heat your home.
Wipe away any moisture on your windows and walls to keep the inside of your house dry. This is especially important in rooms such as kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms which are prone to damp atmospheres.
Always use exhaust fans in these rooms where possible; if these are not available, open the windows for a short time to re-circulate the air. Don’t leave windows open for too long if the outdoor air is damp though, as this will not help dry the inside, but can actually spread the moisture to other parts of your house.
It’s best to dry clothes outside to prevent excess water being absorbed into the room, but when this isn’t possible and you have to air them inside always have the door closed and a window wide open.
Even when using a tumble dryer, you’ll need to keep a window open to vent outside of the room, otherwise moisture will build up on ceilings and walls leaving everything in the room damp.
Surprisingly enough, even indoor plants can contribute to the build up mould in the house. Keep indoor plants to a minimum, don’t over-water them and keep a look out for any mould that may start to grow in the pots.
Another common household feature that can contribute to the build up of mould are clothes and clutter. Never store clothes that are damp and get rid of any clutter as mould can grow on fabrics, paper, wood and almost any surface that collects dust and holds moisture.
Damp and moisture can also be dealt with by using a dehumidifier. Remember to always empty its container to keep it working at its optimum level so only use this method when you are in the property.
If you are away from your house for a while you could try a more eco-friendly measure by leaving big bowls of salt in each room. These will act as an absorbing agent for any moisture that there is in the air. Once you return, simply dry out the salt in the sun and re-use. Easy, efficient and energy-saving.
Improving ventilation and lighting by opening windows and doors will achieve cross-flow ventilation throughout the building which will help as you are relying on the drying effect of the cooling air.
It’s the same reasoning as to why you hang your laundry out to dry on a sunny, windy day. However, by doing this you are also allowing air with high moisture levels to enter the property which will lead to humidity and therefore mould, so this method should not be used within a property that is not lived in.
By maintaining the indoor relative humidity at around 50 per cent in summer and 30 per cent in winter, you’re helping create an atmosphere that hinders moisture. Use an air conditioning unit or dehumidifier in order to reduce and control the relative humidity.
Insulate your home and keep it warm to help control condensation, seal all sinks and bath tubs to prevent water from seeping into the walls, keep any gutters clean of debris to avoid the clogging up water and always repair any leaks or drips immediately. If you allow moisture to ground itself, mould isn’t far behind, so it’s always best to take preventive measures.
We’ve gone through a number of ways in which you can avoid moisture and mould from attacking your house; however, if it’s already too late, there are ways to remove it.
Tackle the problem of mould as soon as you notice it; the earlier you deal with it, the easier it is. First wash off the mould with a clean sponge using a mixture of bleach and water. Keep the room well ventilated while you are doing this. Do not try to brush off the mould area as this could release spores into the air which can spread the mould further and have adverse health effects.
Once you’re rid of the mould, ensure that the room is dried out properly and if need be, repaint the walls.
Tips
• Ensure that any incoming water has an outlet to drain to the outside;
• Run a dehumidifier (on a timer where possible);
• Improve ventilation and lighting in the property;
• Dry your clothes and shoes before putting them away;
• Always deal with mould as soon as you notice it.