Being ugly in appearance is unfortunately only one of the side effects of the presence of mould on walls. The mould itself can be bad for the health of all living in the property, particularly those who already have respiratory issues such as asthma or lung weakness. Mould can also be indicative of a larger issue within the home, including structural damage or poorly fitted pipes. It is therefore important to thoroughly remove mould found in the home; this guide will teach how to do it safely and prevent mould growth.
What Is the Difference Between Mould and Mildew
It is important to check whether you have a mould or a mildew problem before attempting to treat the issue, as otherwise, treatment may be ineffective.
What Is Mildew?
Mildew is a fungus that grows on surfaces and can be identified by its light-coloured (white or grey) appearance with an almost fluffy texture. It thrives in a moist environment and is, therefore, most commonly found in damper rooms of the house on porous walls such as bathrooms and kitchens. It is a milder fungus than mould and will cause fewer health issues or damage to walls but you should still remove mildew to be on the safe side.
How to Remove Mildew from Walls
Removing mildew is a fairly easy process and only requires a scrubbing brush, a sponge, and a strong cleaner such as Smartseal Mould and Mildew Remover. It’s suitable for use in all locations such as kitchen and bathroom surfaces.
What Is Mould Growth?
Mould is also a fungi however it is generally a more serious infestation and is more harmful to health and the home. Mould can be identified by its black or green appearance and its texture is much more slimy, it is unpleasant to touch. It can be dangerous as it releases mould spores that may cause coughing, a tight chest, trouble breathing and respiratory infections. Mould damages any surface on which it grows, so it must be removed as soon as it is found.
Why Does Mould Grow on Walls?
As mould thrives in moist conditions it is usually as a result of condensation or in areas that remain in a continued state of dampness that we see mould growth. Mould is a prolific reproducer and a single spore may be the start of millions in mould growth in only a short space of time.
Condensation is formed when warm moist air meets with surfaces at a lower temperature, at which point the moisture condenses onto the surface. As surfaces in places such as bathrooms or kitchens are impermeable this condensation then sits on the surface, leaving them particularly vulnerable to mould growth.
You may find that places particularly affected by mould include windows, window sills, crevices and external walls
How to Remove Mould from Walls
The spread of damp and black mould is often seen in bath and shower rooms due to the levels of moisture caused by excessive use. Lack of ventilation in these areas of high use will also add to the problems caused by mould and mildew growth. Prevention is always better than cure, so the most effective measure to help prevent mould growth in the home is to improve ventilation in these areas. Making sure windows are partially open whenever the bathroom or shower room is in use, is the first step to improving ventilation. If that doesn’t resolve the issue of excessive moisture build-up, you may want to put an extraction fan in the bath or shower room when it is in use.
Condensation levels are generally much higher around bathrooms or showers simply because of the amount of water being dissipated in these areas. Warm moist air hitting colder surfaces such as tiled walls and floors will always result in condensation forming quickly on the surface of the tiles. After showering or having a bath, it is always recommended to take a few minutes out to squeeze off any excess water droplets from the wall tiles. This can dramatically reduce the levels of excess moisture in a bathroom or shower area by as much as 80%.
Taking additional precautions can also save time and money in the long term and can go a long way to help stop mould and mildew growth and prevent the spread of dampness. Applying an anti-condensation paint will eliminate a lot of the issues caused by excess moisture forming on painted walls in bath and shower rooms.
How to Stop Mould Coming Back
The best cure is usually a preventative and this is just the case with mould. Smartseal Anti-Mould Paint contains an active fungicide within the anti-mould paint that prevents mould growth. It does the job even in areas with poor air circulation or high levels of condensation. The anti-mould paint is applied internally and recolours the area just as normal paint would do. The anti-mould paint also adds protection that stops mould from ever taking root in application areas.
For areas that particularly struggle with dampness caused by high condensation another option is Smartseal Anti Condensation Paint. It contains microscopic ‘beads’ that increase the surface temperature of the surface to which it is applied, reducing condensation build-up. The reduction in condensation helps to remove mould growth in the home by removing the damp environment that encourages growth. All leaving your home mould-free and safer for occupation!
How to Use Anti-Condensation Paint
Clean the wall affected with a fast-acting mould and mildew remover. Wipe the surface thoroughly to ensure any black mould is completely gone. Once the wall you have cleaned has been left to dry out, apply two coats of anti-condensation paint in the colour of your choice. After you have applied the second coat of anti-condensation paint, this should make the area much less vulnerable to the formation of black mould and mildew caused by excess moisture.
Sealing the grouted areas in between tiles with an effective grout sealer can also help. By making the grout water-resistant, it stops it from staying damp for longer periods and helps prevent black mould from forming, which can look very unsightly.
Before treating any areas in your home that have a damp issue, it is important to identify the source of the issue first. If condensation is the problem and black mould is appearing over time because of it, we would recommend carrying out a few corrective measures first to eliminate it as outlined below.
Fixing the damp issues caused by excess condensation levels does not take too much time and you do not have to be great at DIY.
Just follow these simple steps:
Remove Mould by cleaning the walls or ceilings with a mildew and mould remover.
Make sure the area you have cleaned is totally dry before you think about the next stage of treating it.
If necessary, apply a specialist damp-proof paint especially on the lower levels of walls to help stop any areas of dampness from getting worse.
This procedure will prevent any more damp coming through the walls. After the damp problem has been fixed, any unpleasant damp odours that may have been present should disappear.
As an additional precaution, applying an anti-mould paint will certainly help to prevent the growth of black mould
