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Why do i have mould in my house?
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What is mould, what causes mould to grow? The reasons and causes, how to treat it and how to keep mould away.
Mould is a common problem in many households, often leading to health issues and structural damage if left untreated. Understanding the causes of mould growth and effective treatment methods is essential for maintaining a healthy living environment.
What is Mould?
Mould is a type of fungus that thrives in damp, warm environments. It appears as a green, black, or white fuzzy growth on surfaces. Mould spreads by shooting out spores into the air and these spores can cause health problems, including allergies, respiratory issues, skin irritations or in extreme cases even death. If you can smell mould, you have just breathed in mould spores.
If the root cause of the mould issue in your home is not dealt with and the mould is removed, it will return!
What causes mould to grow?
Excess Moisture: High humidity levels (above 60%) can create an ideal environment for mould. Sources of moisture include leaks from roofs, walls, or plumbing, condensation from windows and appliances, showers, cooking and even breathing.
Poor Ventilation: Areas with inadequate airflow, such as basements, bathrooms, and kitchens, are prone to mould growth. Stale air and moisture can accumulate, fostering mould spores.
Water Damage: Floods or water spills that are not properly dried out can lead to mould. It's crucial to address any water damage promptly as this will aid in stopping rapid mould growth.
Drying Clothes Indoors: Hanging wet clothes on radiators or airers indoors can significantly increase humidity levels in your home. This practice can create a breeding ground for mould. It is best to use a tumble dryer to dry wet clothes, if you don't have one take trip to the laundrette, or better still dry them outside.
Organic Material: Mould feeds on organic materials, including wood, drywall, and even dust. Ensure these materials are kept clean and dry as this can help reduce mould (keep your house clean).
Incorrectly installed loft insulation: The focus for many households is to insulate properties as much as possible, but this may cause problems if the insulation is installed incorrectly.
Extractor fans which are broken, switched off or are infrequently used: Bathroom, Shower room and Kitchen extractors help to remove moist air from properties. Inadequate extraction increases damp conditions and encourages mould to grow.
Moist, stagnant air and heat: Are ideal conditions for the growth of mould. If you remove one of these factors, then mould finds it very hard to grow. Nobody wants to live in a cold home so its imperative that the causes of dampness are dealt with and that moist stagnant air is removed and replenished.
Understand that the root cause of mould has to be addressed to stop futher problems, whatever it is. If you are unable to find the cause yourself then get help from a building specialist. Rapid Landlord Solutions will make a visual inspection, all factors that are seen wll be taken into account and we will supply you with a concise report. This report includes photo's and will highlight issues and treatments. We can then systematically deal with it.
How to treat surface mould: Home Remedies for Mould Removal and treatment (Pros and Cons).
Vinegar Pros: Non-toxic, kills many types of mould, and is safe for most surfaces. Cons: May not be effective on all mould types and may require repeated applications.
Baking Soda Pros: Safe, easy to use, and absorbs moisture, helping to prevent mould growth. Cons: Limited effectiveness on tough mould stains, may require scrubbing and can damage paintwork, causing it to flake.
Hydrogen Peroxide- use with caution ⚠️ Pros: Strong antimicrobial properties and effective against a wide range of mould types. Cons: Can bleach some surfaces and should be used with caution on fabrics.
Tea Tree Oil Pros: Natural antifungal properties and effective at preventing mould growth. Cons: More expensive than other remedies and may require dilution to be effective. Any oil is notoriously difficult to remove from porus surfaces and to paint over.
How can you stop mould from coming back once it has been removed and treated?
Have trickle vents installed in your windows and if you already have them, make sure they are open and not blocked up.
The importance of trickle vents in windows, their Pros and Cons.
Trickle vents are small openings in window frames that allow for a controlled flow of free air into a property, helping to improve indoor air quality and reduce condensation. Leave them open and make sure they're clear, they're an important tool for combating mould.
Pros:
Improved ventilation: Trickle vents promote constant airflow , helping to reduce humidity levels and prevent mould growth.
Energy efficiency: they can help maintain air quality without the need to open windows, which can reduce heat loss.
Moisture control: By allowing fresh air in, trickle vents reduce dampness that contributes to mould.
Cons:
Limited effectiveness: In extremely damp conditions, trickle vents may not provide enough airflow to combat mould effectively.
Maintenance: They can become blocked with dirt or debris, reducing their effectiveness and require regular cleaning.
Open windows for a few minutes in the morning.
Get yourself into the habit of 'opening bedroom windows in the morning' to replenish the air inside properties. We breath out moisture constantly. Moisture builds up in the rooms where we are sleeping, especially in a room with the door closed. If you open the windows just for a few minutes in the morning (even when its cold and wet outside) it will help to stop mould.
If your bedroom windows are opened just for a few minutes in the morning, the moisture rich, saturated air will be replaced with 'fresh' air containing substantially less water vapour, especially if the air outside is colder than the air inside. The reason for this is that warm air will carry more water than cold air. A volume of air at 20°C can hold twice as much water vapour as the same volume of air at 10°C. So by opening the windows in your bedrooms and letting colder, fresh air in; you are letting out the warm moisture rich air and replacing it with dryer, cleaner air.
Mould that is present in your house will naturally shoot out spores into the air, mould spores can attach to dust or other organic material and then take hold. The new mould spores that have taken hold will also shoot out spores. The cycle repeats itself making the mould issue worse and worse. Opening the windows and getting air movement will take the airborne mould spores, outside.
If you see some mould returning, remove it and treat it again. Figure out if your habits are the cause or is it something more sinister?
Mould can return for many reasons, here are some others to bare in mind:
The increased cost of heating your home - if you keep your house cold, don't remove the stagnant air and then introduce heat: if you rarely switch on your heating and keep your house cold due to cost, then your internal walls and the internal part of your glazing will be cold, this could increase the likelihood of condensation forming. If your house is kept sealed, the water vapour produced from normal day to day living and cooking can not escape. The trapped water vapour if not extracted, coupled with the reduced capability of the air to carry water will encourage condensation to form in cold areas of your house. If you have insufficient ventilation and you introduce heat, then the dampness and heat combination is the ideal environment to encourage mould to form. Mopping up any water on or by windows, drying with kitchen towels and intermittently opening your windows to replenish the air will help. Keep an eye out for any mould, remove and treat it when it first appears to keep it at bay. Remember opening the windows for short periods of time will again help to remove mould spores and the moisture from your home.
The more people and animals that live in a house the more moisture will be produced. Everyone produces moisture when breathing, the more people and animals that live in a house, the more moisture is created. More people, also means more showers or baths, more cooking and more kettles being boiled. Ventilation and air replenishment is imperative at preventing mould growth.
Smaller homes may get damper quicker. Smaller rooms have less air available to carry moisture than larger rooms. If you have the same amount of people in a small room as you do in a large room, the small room's air will become saturated with moisure quicker than the air in the large room. Good ventilation and air replenishment in smaller properties with a large amount of occupants is key to moisture and mould control.
The incorrect use of dehumidifiers. Be aware - whilst dehumidifiers do have their place in tackling damp, you need to make sure they are not making the mould issue worse in your home! Dehumidifiers have filters that capture airborne particles like dust and mould spores, if the dehumidifier has been used in a room with mould in the air, then the filters will be filled with mould spores. If you then take that dehumidifier to another room with dampness but no mould, then some of spores trapped in the dehumidifiers filter will dislodge and contaminate the area spreading the mould and causing more issues.
If you are unable to find the cause of the mould and it keeps returning, then maybe it's time to call in the professionals.
Link to Government Legislation regarding mould in rented accommodation
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