16 Jan How to prevent mould
Do YOU have problems with Mould?
Want tips on how to prevent Mould Growth?
Then keep reading and arm yourself with helpful information on how to prevent mould this winter.
It’s getting to that time of year again; common in many households, mould can be an unwelcome guest but with a few simple techniques you can prevent this furry fiend from entering your home or keep it at bay if already an issue.
How mould occurs
Water vapour is the water in the air. More commonly seen as; the steam from your hot bath, or the clouds pouring out of your kettle. Normally causes that fogging of the windows? Ring a bell? That fogging is better known as condensation which happens when hot air meets a cold surface. Not thought much of it? You may take more notice if you have experienced problems with mould before. It is this condensation and excess moisture which can cause the undesirable black patches on your walls and leaving your favourite chair ruined.
Mould Spores are ‘pellets’ of mould growth which are released into the atmosphere during mould growth. They are invisible to the naked eye and potent allergens but are always in the air. It is when they land and multiply on damp surfaces (due to condensation and water vapour) that the black spots start to appear and become a bigger problem.
So how can you stop mould occurring?
Life. The biggest cause of moisture in your home. Cooking, washing, bathing, the everyday tasks that cannot be avoided are the biggest causes of water vapour; which in turn can cause condensation which in turn can cause mould growth. Great! That is unless you ventilate and heat your home properly. Yes, opening windows in the mid of winter is possibly the least appealing solution, but if it’s a choice between a cold blast or an unwelcome guest crawling up your wall then I know what I would choose! I’m not suggesting leaving your windows open for the whole time you are home or even whilst you’re not there, just enough time to get rid of all the steam and excess water after that steaming bath or whilst your dinner is in the oven. It’s the idea of maintaining a constant temperature instead of fluctuating between ice cold and steaming hot. Using extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom all aid the ventilation.
how to prevent mould on walls
Warm air holds more moisture than cold air, so if your home is heated (even at a low temperature) you are less likely to suffer from condensation and subsequently mould. Walls store heat. So as the temperature cools down outside, the heat from your walls is lost to the outside, but unless you replace that heat in your walls condensation will occur.
So by spending a little by heating your home every day and being a bit more aware of the condensation on your windows and walls you can avoid a whole lot of bother when it comes to mould.