How to Remove Mould Effectively

Mould can be very hazardous to health, particularly if you have a pre-existing health condition. For this reason, homeowners need to understand the dangers of mould and how to remove it effectively.

Mould forms in damp areas around the home and garden. You can easily notice it. Mould is usually black and unpleasant-looking. Furthermore, its spores can harm your health. You need to remove mould quickly and effectively.

Fungus

Mould is a fungus. It appears in a number of forms on food and in the natural world. It is also a common feature of buildings.

Dampness is the cause of mould. Old properties are particularly prone to the problem but new ones do not escape mould either. Wherever dampness exists, mould can appear. It develops in the corners and along the edges of showers and baths. It spreads across the grout of tiles in a kitchen. And it appears on windows and their frames.

A Serious Problem

You could dismiss mould as an unsightly and unwanted nuisance. But it is more serious than you might realise.

The study of mould is mycology. Malcolm Richardson is a professor of medical mycology at Manchester University. According to Professor Richardson, "there's not much awareness of mould or the health damage it can cause - it can be fatal".

Mould causes bronchitis, sinusitis and allergies by releasing spores into the air. If inhaled, the spores can inflame and damage the lungs. The elderly, babies and children are particularly at risk.

The University of Manchester's mycology department estimates tens of thousands of UK residents suffer from mould-related health problems. In all such cases, the mould is present in people's homes.

Removing Mould

You could be tempted to simply wipe away mould with a cloth. But no matter how clean the surface looks afterwards, you cannot guarantee you have removed all the mould.

A safer option is to use a proprietary mould remover. An effective choice is a non-toxic water-based solution. You can spray this on and wipe off.

For areas where the surface is rough such as tile grout, spraying and wiping is not enough. Instead, you may need to apply a mould remover with a scrubbing brush. This sounds like hard work but you usually find the brush and the solution soon remove all traces of mould.

Bad Infestation

A bad infestation of mould affects walls, ceilings and floors. Mould could also spread to carpets, curtains and furniture.

Be wary when you are tackling a large-scale mould problem and seek professional advice if necessary. Ensure good ventilation and wear protective clothing, gloves, goggles and a face mask. The moment you start lifting a mouldy carpet, for example, you release mould spores into the air.

Once you have removed any mould-covered carpets, curtains and furniture, spray the affected areas of the room with a mould remover.

You may find you cannot save a mouldy ceiling or wall. The only option is replacement. You can easily tell if a wall or ceiling is beyond repair. It has a soft spongy feeling.

Treat the Cause

Do not just remove mould. Identify and treat the cause. In newer properties, the cause could be condensation. In older homes, you should also look for a source of dampness such as broken guttering, a leaking pipe or damaged window frames.