How to Get Rid of Mould in the Home

Tips for Mould Removal in Your Home

Unfortunately, with the colder weather and rising gas and electricity bills, mould is becoming more common in homes.

Not only does black mould look unsightly, but it can also cause a range of long-term respiratory issues. There have been news stories about the damaging effects of mould allergens on health, with black mould potentially being life-threatening if not dealt with.

It can also be a sign you have structural issues. Depending on the cause, you may be experiencing mould in different areas of your home and may require a different approach to tackling the problem.

Thankfully, hiring a dehumidifier can usually lessen the issue by eliminating excess moisture in the air. But you will also need to clean and look into any structural problems.

 

 

Never attempt to remove mould without wearing personal protective equipment. You will need:

• Masks
• Eye protection
• Gloves

You will also want to cover any surfaces, such as furniture and carpet, which could be damaged by bleach or other cleaning product splashes.

Speedy's guide below will walk you through everything you need to know about mould, from why it appears to how to tackle it.

 

Why does mould grow?

Mould appears because of a build-up of excessive moisture, which isn't removed.

This can be caused by steam from cooking or showering, humidity from drying clothes indoors, or a lack of airflow (such as furniture being against a wall or not opening your windows regularly).

Excessive moisture can also be caused by issues with the foundations of your home, such as poor insulation or leaking guttering.

Mould spores will drop in damp conditions and then grow further. Whereas we have probably all seen a little bit of mould around our bathroom sealant, mould growing on walls and carpets is less common and needs to be treated very seriously.

 

Why is mould more common in winter?

Mould occurs year-round but can be more common in colder months.

As well as the causes mentioned above, condensation can form when outside surfaces such as walls and windows are cold and our homes are warm. This leads to excess moisture in the atmosphere, and the condensation can form mould if left to settle on surfaces.

Similarly, not using heating in the home to save money can cause mould, too. This is because there's no heat to help dry damp surfaces, causing mould to thrive.

If you're concerned about the cost of central heating, hiring an electric portable heater could help.

Poor ventilation is also more common in winter, as our windows open less often.

It would be best if you didn't have to change habits to prevent getting a mouldy home, but you can try to keep on top of reducing condensation and mould to reduce the likelihood of issues.

 

How do I get rid of mould in my home?

This depends on where the mould is growing and why. You may only be able to achieve a temporary fix if it is a reoccurring issue; professional help could be required to avoid damage to your home.

 

1. How to get rid of mould on walls

This can often be the most severe problem, as structural or pipework issues could occur. It can also be the hardest to remove, as walls aren't traditionally wipeable surfaces.

However, if your brickwork and pipework all seem in good condition, there's a good chance that the mould is forming because of internal issues.

The key to preventing mould on walls is to keep air moisture at a minimum. Electric dehumidifiers are crucial to reducing high humidity levels to a suitable level. You must also wipe away any moisture that forms on surfaces as soon as possible and keep windows open when cooking and showering.

To clean mould growth on walls, wash them. One part bleach to three parts water is effective, but you can also buy mould sprays. Repeat this process, and ensure walls are dry before moving any furniture back or using the room again.

Always wear gloves when handling any bleach or chemical-based cleaners

If you need to repaint, wait a few weeks to ensure the mould is gone so you know you aren't just painting over the problem. You can pay a bit extra for kitchen paint, which is mould and moisture-resistant and scrubbable.

Hire a paint sprayer to ensure you're painting thin layers of paint, which will help with breathability, too. Choose paint rather than wallpaper for added breathability.

Long-term, only place furniture on internal walls, and regularly check for mould to keep on top of it.

 

2. How to get rid of mould in the bathroom

Mould can occur in several places in your bathroom. The most common is around the sealant of your bath or shower, which is usually because you don't wipe away the water after use. Remove mould by wearing gloves, applying neat bleach directly to the sealant and covering it with scrunched-up kitchen paper. Leave overnight, and it should be gone in the morning.

Wipe down with bathroom cleaner, and then remember to dry your shower or bath after every use.

If you have mould on your extractor fan, it may be a sign that the excess moisture is working its way to the fan but not being removed efficiently. Look into replacing it, and remember to clean your fan regularly.

If your walls are mouldy, as above, you will want to look into a specialist paint made for high moisture areas and can be cleaned. Keep windows open when showering to allow fresh air to circulate.

 

3. How to get rid of mould around windows

Our guide to reducing condensation mentions that mould can form on window seals and sills if condensation is left to drip away throughout the day, as opposed to being removed.

Again, mixing three parts water and one part neat bleach can help remove mould from around window sealant and windowsills; check that you won't damage the paintwork and then fully dry afterwards.

Keeping windows open a bit every day to improve ventilation is vital. This should reduce the humidity in your room and help with condensation on windows.

 

4. How to get rid of mould on carpets

It is rarer, but it can happen. Mould on carpets usually forms after a leak (from something like a radiator) or a large spill that hasn't dried properly. It could also be a sign you have an issue with pipework under your flooring.

It would be best to try to dry the carpet thoroughly; hire a carpet dryer to do this safely. Again, open windows for more airflow. It is also worth mentioning you need to fix the cause of the leak, too.

If the mould has stained your carpet, hire a carpet cleaner (but again, ensure it is thoroughly dried afterwards). A steam cleaner can also help sanitise the carpet, which could be particularly crucial if you have children and pets.

Unfortunately, if your carpet is damp post-flooding, you'd probably be best to replace it all as the underlay and floorboards could also be damaged. Your insurance can help with this.

 

What do I do if the mould comes back?

Bleach can remove the appearance of mould but won't remove the mycelium in the foundations (which mould grows from). So, if the issue is unfixable and mould reappears on walls soon after you wipe it away, you will need professional help.

It is also worth using a dehumidifier year-round to thoroughly tackle excess moisture in the air.

If you rent your property, it is your responsibility to ventilate and heat your home to prevent dampness. Still, your landlord's responsible for organising an inspection and carrying out repairs. See shelter.org.uk for advice.

 

 

• IS THERE DEHUMIDIFIER HIRE NEAR ME?

Yes. Speedy Hire, the UK's leading tool hire company, has a range of dehumidifiers for hire nationwide. Speedy has more than 200 service centres nationwide, hire counters in selected B&Qs and nationwide 4-hour delivery. Emergency dehumidifier hire has never been easier.

 

Our dehumidifiers are trade standard, so we can tackle emergencies and serious issues.