The most common causes of mould and mildew are high humidity, condensation and water leaks (which are often hidden). Mould is a common household problem. It can be caused by poor ventilation, leaking pipes and moisture in the air, which causes condensation. People who live in damp and mouldy homes are also at increased risk of depression which, in turn, may increase the risk of respiratory symptoms and asthma. The most infamous type of mould is “black mould” (Stachybotrys chartarum), which can grow on water-damaged building materials and produce toxic spores.
Originally, toxic effects from mould were thought to be the result of exposure to the mycotoxins of some mould species, such as Stachybotrys chartarum. However, studies are suggesting that the so-called toxic effects are actually the result of chronic activation of the immune system, leading to chronic inflammation.
Everyday activities such as bathing, cleaning, cooking and even fish tanks and indoor plants can cause dampness in the air, leading to condensation and eventually mould. Even new built homes can be affected, if water was used in the building process it could still be drying out something which is made more difficult when coupled with those everyday household tasks.
You can remove black mould by scrubbing with detergent and water. If sewage or floodwater has caused mould growth, disinfect the area with a mixture of one part bleach to 10 parts water. Absorbent items such as carpet and dry wall might not come clean and may need to be discarded. Read on to find out how to remove mould.
Rooms like kitchens and bathrooms are optimum environments for mould and mildew, as bathrooms are usually wet, damp moist and often dark. Mould can grow on a mixture of materials in a bathroom; tiles, walls, wood and blinds/curtains. You will often see mould growing on bathroom walls stretching from the floor of the wall up to the ceiling. It is very difficult to keep on top of mould in bathrooms as the biggest prevention is ventilation which is something that can be hard to create and maintain in bathrooms and kitchens.
Untreated, mould can cause allergies and respiratory problems, so it is important to ventilate your home well, keeping the moisture levels to a miminimum and looking out for potential problems. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that about 12% of new childhood asthma in Europe can be attributed to indoor mould exposure, which represents approximately 55 842 potentially avoidable Disability-Adjusted Life Years and 83 potentially avoidable deaths per year. So it's crucial that if you see any mould or mildew in your home treat it, kill it and cure it as quickly as possible.
Different kinds of mould
There are many different varieties of mould that grow in an array of colours such as green, black, white, orange and blue. Some strains of mould are more harmful than others, and one particular strain of mould can grow in a variety of colours, depending on different circumstances. This makes it difficult to identify exactly which strain of mould is growing in your home, and therefore it is hard to determine whether or not you should be worried. Generally, it is best to get rid of all kinds of mould, before it spreads and either you or your family members become ill.
The most common types of mould that grow in the home are the black and green varieties.
Green mould
Green mould is very common in many houses in the UK and typically belongs to the aspergillus, cladosporium or penicillium families. Green mould can often be found growing on damp walls, inside cupboards and carpets and on damp fabrics and mattresses.
Penicillium can cause sinus infections and inflammation of the lungs, whereas other strains of green mould can cause bronchitis and even pneumonia if left untreated.
White Mould
White mould is often found in cool, damp environments such as in basements, cellars and usually growing up a wall. White mould is often overlook as it can look like efflorescence.
Efflorescence is a crystalline deposit of salts often seen on the surface of concrete or brick work. It occurs when water leaves behind salt deposits you can differentiate the two by spraying water on the surface. If the residue doesn’t dissolve it is white mould.
Blue Mould
Blue mould is another common household mould that usually appears in wetter rooms like bathrooms and again usually on walls rising up to ceilings. Steam from showers and bathing is the optimum moist environment for mould to grow.
Black Mould
All kinds of mould can be harmful to health, however, black mould is famously the one to watch out for. Most black moulds are fairly common and often come from the same strain as green mould. They can be treated with normal treatment methods, and are not to be a cause of great concern. There is, however, a particularly difficult type of black mould known as ‘toxic black mould’ or ‘stachybotrys’, which can have much more serious implications on your health.
How to identify black mould on walls
Toxic black mould and less harmful black mould look very similar, which can make the degree of severity of your problem difficult to ascertain. Toxic black mould tends to be a greenish-black and is often slimy, however, it can also become dry and powdery over time.
It requires a high cellulose and low nitrogen compositional surface on which to grow, and also requires more moisture than other strains of mould. It is often found in and around particularly damp areas and is a particular problem in areas which have sprung leaks that are hidden from view, such as inside walls or in floors and ceilings. Deformed walls and peeling patches of paint are key things to look out for, as they are indicators of internal dampness.
If you discover an area of mould in your home that suspect may be toxic, the only way to properly identify it is to enlist a professional mould inspector, who will look at it using a microscope.
What causes black mould?
The majority of moulds found in the home are caused by excess moisture, usually this is due to high humidity levels in the property but it could also be caused by leaking pipes, rising damp, rain seeping in due to a damaged roof or window frame. In new build properties you may start to notice excess moisture and even mould due to the property not drying out yet. It is important to remove the mould problems in your home as soon as possible as left untreated it can soon become a health risks to those living in the property.
Toxic black mould
Stachybotrys, or toxic black mould, is harmful in the home because it produces mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are invisible to the human eye but can enter the human body through inhalation, ingestion and even through the eyes. These mycotoxins are very dangerous and can cause problems with the reproductive system, vision, skin, the circulatory and respiratory systems and can even have psychological and neurological effects.
If you are experiencing worrying symptoms and cannot identify the cause, it is important to check your house for signs of black mould.
Mould mites
If your home has experienced damp you are quite likely to have, unfortunately suffered with mould mites. Mould mites are closely related to dust mites, like dust mites they can be difficult to see with the naked eye. Mould mites feed on mould and love damp conditions, if you are experiencing any issues with damp you are likely to fid an infestation of mites soon after.
Although mould mites can't bite or cause grievous harm they can cause an allergic reaction or worsen some-one who is already susceptible to allergies and irritants. They multiple quickly so you need to act fast to remove them. Most importantly is to remove all mould from your home, depending on the severity you may need professional help. Then ensure your property has been properly deep cleaned and all traces of mould such as; soft furnishings or bedding has been removed.
Once removed you need to ensure your home stays mould free, in order to keep the mites away. The best way to do this is to adequately ventilate your home at all times, you can also use anti-allergy bedding to protect mattresses, duvets and pillows from mould spores and mites.
How mould can affect your health
Inhaling mould fragments or spores can inflame the airways, causing nasal congestion, wheezing, chest tightness, coughing and throat irritation. Prolonged exposure to high levels of indoor dampness can reduce lung function and cause chronic health problems such as asthma.
Mycotoxins can kill neurones in the brain, which directly affects our mental capacity and can alter our psychological makeup. Some of the neurological symptoms of the ingestion of mycotoxins include confusion, dizziness, a ‘foggy’ brain, hallucinations, seizures and trembling.
Other important symptoms to look out for, relating to respiratory, circulatory and other conditions, are difficulty breathing; bleeding gums; nose bleeds; cold and flu symptoms; vomiting blood; wounds that won’t heal; blurred vision; nausea; and jaundice. Infection from damp and mould is very serious so it is imperative that if you notice any of the above symptoms you seek medical attention.
There is also evidence that mycotoxins are carcinogenic, which can lead to the growth of cancers.
Treating an allergic reaction to mould
There's no complete cure for allergic rhinitis caused by a mould allergy, however there are a number of medications can ease your symptoms. For example;
- Nasal corticosteroids. Nasal sprays help prevent and treat inflammation caused by a mould allergy.
- Antihistamines. These medications help with itching, sneezing and runny nose, these can be taken as a tablet or nasal spray.
- Oral decongestants
How to treat toxic black mould
If you are experiencing symptoms due to toxic black mould, the only way to treat it is by removing either the mould or yourself from the environment. Over time, your symptoms should begin to disappear, however, some damage can be permanent, which is why it is important to monitor any changes in your home especially on the walls and ceilings. Then if you notice any changes, treat the mould as soon as possible.
How to remove mould from walls
There is no one cure for mould due to the variety and level of severity the mould is and some require professional removal. For example if you have a problem with toxic mould, then you need to seek professional treatment in order to ensure that your home is a safe environment for you and your family. If you find a colony of toxic mould, it is very important that you do not disturb it. Touching or moving the mould can cause an enormous amount of harmful spores to be released in the air, to the detriment of you and the people you share your home with.
For other, more common strains of mould, there is a wide variety of mould treatments available that clean the mould, which are easy to use on your own.
First, you must thoroughly clean your walls before getting rid of the black mould located on it. To do this, you'll need to use warm water with a mild soap brand. Next, pour the mixture into a spray bottle and apply it to the walls containing the mould. Use a sponge or a scrub brush to clean the walls completely.
A simple solution for removing non-toxic mould from your home is to clean it using a non-toxic, mould cleaning solution. When the mould has been eradicated, it is important to dry the surface thoroughly, in order to prevent the mould from returning.
Another simple yet short-term solution is to kill the mould and nasty marks on your walls with bleach. If you do wish to try this tactic remember to wear thick clothes (you don't mind getting ruined), rubber gloves and a face guard as both the mould and bleach fumes can be dangerous to inhale. To clean mould off your walls, follow these steps -
- Simply mix one part bleach to four parts water.
- Using a damp cloth gently scrub until the mould is gone.
- Once finished, dry the area well with a soft cloth.
Remember however, this is not a long term solution and you really need to tackle the cause of the mould to ensure it doesn't come back. If the mould is as a result of sewage or floodwater you should not remove this yourself as it can be harmful to your health. It is best to seek a professional as the area will need to be treated and disinfected.
Preventing mould
Once you have treated your mould or mildew, it is important to make some changes to the way your room is ventilated, in order to prevent further outbreaks.
At EnviroVent, we have a range of products that can help to keep your home well-ventilated and mould free. For badly-ventilated kitchens and bathrooms, it is definitely worth installing an extractor fan, such as our Cyclone 7. It effectively tracks and detects water vapour in the atmosphere and comes with a 7-year guarantee, so you can relax in the knowledge that your home is a safe and spore-free environment.
We also have a range of condensation control units to suit your individual needs. Our whole house ventilation systems remove moisture and dampness from the air caused by cold in the winter, and will also work to cool rooms down in the summer, preventing water vapour caused by humidity. We have condensation control units specifically designed for loft spaces and flats and apartments, as well as more traditional houses.
If you want to improve the indoor air quality in your home, we recommend our single room heat recovery unit. Using state-of-the-art technology, it simultaneously retains heat within your home and provides fresh air from outside through internal tubes, meaning that you can feel the benefits of opening your windows without increasing your chances of condensation.
All of our products are energy efficient and make your home a more eco-friendly place by utilising the air up to 75% more than under ordinary circumstances.
Seven mould prevention tips
In addition to ventilation and heat retention products, it is also important to ensure that your home is well cared for in other ways, in order to prevent unnecessary moisture which causes mould and mildew to appear in the first place.
1) Check to see if your windows are allowing rain to seep in and if the sealant around them is damaged. Additionally check there is no damage to your roof as this could also allow rain to seep in and damage the interior of your property.
2) Always make sure that you dry wet areas immediately. Wipe up spillages and make sure to dry floors and walls after you take a bath or shower. If possible, dry wet clothes outside or in a dryer rather than on radiators, as the moisture from your clothes travels straight into the air. Never leave wet clothes in the washing machine and replace water-damaged carpets and fabrics immediately.
3) There are a lot of products available to aid with mould prevention, such as mould sprays and mould prevention paint. If you are having building work completed in your home, it is possible to obtain mould-resistant drywall or gypsum board, which is designed to prevent moisture within the structure of your home.
4) A good way to monitor humidity in your home is through a moisture meter, which can be bought from most good DIY stores. Ideally, humidity should be between 30 and 60 percent.
5) Although indoor plants improve the air quality of your home, moist soil and leaves also provide the perfect breeding ground for mould. Make sure you clean and move your plants around regularly, in order to prevent a build-up of mould.
6) Leaks are commonly caused by broken gutters or drainpipes. Make sure to inspect the exterior of your house regularly, in order to prevent a simply cracked drainpipe from becoming a larger and more expensive problem.
7) Finally, it is important to let air circulate through your home. Keep internal doors open as much as possible and move the furniture away from walls. Open windows on dry days to let fresh air blow into your home, which will reduce moisture and therefore help to prevent mould.