Expel from your mind images of dark cellars and creeping damp patches and you’ll be left with the reasonably modern problem of mould caused by condensation.
Condensation is caused when warm moist air hits cold surfaces it is largely attributed to the addition of airtight double glazing to homes that are poorly insulated. Home builders have started to cotton on to this and now install double glazing with air vents to allow the moist air to circulate with air outside, as well as improving insulation in walls and roofs.
For those of us not blessed with a new build or a large air circulating wood burner, it can feel like a constant battle when the temperature outside starts to drop every year. Here are a few tips for combatting the looming black speckles:
Prevention is better than cure:
The centre for sustainable energy gives some great tips for trying to prevent mould growing in your home:
- Produce less moisture: keep lids on boiling pans, dry clothes outdoors etc.
- Let moist air out and fresh air in: install extractor fans, open windows after cooking or showering, make gaps between walls and furniture to allow air to circulate.
- Get rid of moisture: wipe down windows and wring out the cloth, get a dehumidifier if it is really bad, but they can often be costly to run. If you are in the market for a dehumidifier the top scoring best buy on Which.co.uk is the Meaco 20L Platinum. Their DD8L is also high scoring and £100 cheaper.
- Paint your walls with mould resistant paint, here’s a good additive you could use if you’ve already bought the paint.
Getting rid of existing mould:
Firstly kill the mould with a decent mould spray. In the past I’ve used Domestos, Ultra white & sparkle bleach and HG mould spray, these offer good results but they are basically 99% bleach so very harsh on surfaces and difficult to use without passing out or staining clothes. There are a couple of less harsh ones, but results are not satisfactory – Dettol Mould and Mildew remover being one of them.
Secondly, if you haven’t opted to repaint your wall with mould resistant paint then give it a good wash with a fungicide, here’s a well rated one on amazon.
How can we help?
We can tackle some of your bathroom based mould over the course of 3-4 weekly cleans, but unfortunately we are not fully insured to use wide spread bleach based mould killers or fungicide in your homes, even for deep cleaning. They carry health risks for our helpers using them regularly and pose quite serious damage dangers on your furnishings. This means any large patches of damp on walls and windows need to be dealt with by a local specialist.
