Mould and mildew on interior don’t just look unpleasant, they are bane to most households and can be hazardous for your health. It could develop a larger problem for your home depending on the amount of mould. Luckily, with certain measures to remove mould and mildew from walls it is possible for you to banish and prevent mould from creeping back in again. Read on for a quick guide on how to remove mould and mildew from walls in your home, as well as prevent it from coming back.
Though mould and mildew look similar, there is a difference towards the approach in which they must be treated.
Mould is the result of large fungi infection that develops from airborne spores. It has a black and green appearance and usually grows in damp and warm conditions without much airflow. This makes household bathrooms and loft spaces mostly affected by the mould. It has a negative effect on your health due to the release of toxins if left untreated. It is often caused by lack of ventilation and humid conditions, but may also be developed due to plumbing leaks, inside and outside the property. Moisture behind the walls can also be caused due to badly insulated heating pipes.
Mildew, on the other hand, is a surface fungus that has a grey or white fluffy appearance. These are the spots that can then spread over a larger area if left untreated. You can easily test for mildew by applying some bleach onto the affected area with the help of a cloth. If the dark colors fade after applying bleach is confirms it’s mildew, else it’s probably a patch of dirt.
Condensation is the major cause behind the mould formation. The moisture present inside condenses on to the warm moist air on contacting with the surfaces at a lower temperature. It commonly occurs on surfaces such as windows and walls particularly in the external walls. Due to the lack of proper airflow, mould starts growing in crevices and window sills and seals. Due to being an asexual organism, mould spreads incredibly quick. This means that a single pore is capable of reproducing into trillions of mould spores in the space in a matter of few days.
Moulds can appear on any homes and surprisingly, newer properties get it more often than older ones. This is because mould develops in areas having high humidity concentration and tight seals around doors and windows in new home construction which keeps in more moisture than drafty old homes.
– First and foremost, you need to protect your skin by wearing rubber gloves to avoid coming in contact with mould and mould removal sprays. Once you are done with the spraying process, remove the gloves instantly, to avoid spreading the spores throughout your home.
– While cleaning for mould on walls opt to wear old clothes with long sleeves and once you are done wash the clothes in HOT water to kill any mould spores that wind up on your clothes.
– Properly ventilate the area, by opening the windows and doors while you’re working. This will save you from inhaling the mould and mould removal spray.
– Keep in mind to put all the safety measures, if anyone in your household has an allergy from mould or has a compromised immune system. If possible, get them out of the house while the cleaning process is going on. If this is not possible, then you can at least minimize their exposure by closing doors between rooms.
Finding green, brown, orange or even black spots are the most obvious sign of mould problem. There are also some other, less apparent signs of mould growth, which are:
– Cracked or peeling paint
– recurrent black streaks, specks or dots
– Discoloration
– A musty, damp smell
– Bulging
– Mould on exterior walls or basement develops when air containing water vapor meets a cold surface and condenses the vapor.
– Mould on laundry rooms and bathrooms occur because they’re typically very humid.
– The walls and ceiling near humidifiers and any room with a hot tub or indoor jacuzzi not installed properly are other areas inviting mould development.
If the problem of mould formation is to a greater extent and cannot be removed from the suggested steps then it can seriously cause damage to your house. Health problems such as allergies, cough, chest pain, etc are likely to develop if the mould formation is not tackled well. If the problem doesn’t get resolved from above measures then you should contact mould removal specialist. We at Better Indoors are mould removal experts that can help you in providing mould and mildew removal solutions for your home.
