Call Us: 0118 946 9146 | Email Us: info@ecohousestore.co.uk
Call Us: 0118 946 9146 | Email Us: info@ecohousestore.co.uk
Mould is a common problem in homes, especially during the winter months. Its unwelcome appearance is often far too common and it can be difficult to get rid of on a permanent basis. Mould can cause health problems and damage to your property, so it’s important to deal with it as soon as possible. Additionally, mould will spread fast, so the sooner you act, the cheaper it will be to fix the issue.
Mould is a form of fungus that can grow on any damp surface. It’s most commonly found in bathrooms and kitchens, but can also appear anywhere in your home. Generally, mould grows best in high humidity conditions with high levels of moisture.
Mould spores are present everywhere and are constantly around us, disgusting isn’t it? When airborne, mould spores land on damp surfaces, they begin to feed and grow into colonies of mould. These colonies will often appear as fluffy or hairy and will appear in various colours including black, white or green. If untreated, mould colonies will cause health problems such as respiratory symptoms like coughing or wheezing when breathed in. Especially if the person already has a pre-existing respiratory problem such as asthma. Mould can also cause skin rashes, eye irritation and infections when touched. In severe cases, moulds can even cause allergic reactions in some people who are hypersensitive to them.
A dehumidifier is an essential item for any home or office. It works by pulling moisture from the air, which reduces mould and mildew growth while keeping energy bills low. The process is quite simple:
Install your new appliance in a suitable spot. Make sure it’s close enough to where you spend most of your time and that it’s in the room that suffers from mould. Set the device up according to its instructions. Dehumidifiers draw warm air into their coils via a fan. The warm air contracts and condensates as it passes through the refrigerated coils of the machine, leaving moisture trapped inside the container.
When using a portable device make sure it has an automatic shutoff feature so that if there isn’t enough moisture in the air anymore it will stop running automatically when not needed anymore.
Use your bathroom extractor fan to dry the room after you’ve had a shower, and close the door while you’re in there. The best position for your extractor fan is near to the shower head, so that all of the water gets sucked up quickly and efficiently. The extractor fan should be switched on while you’re in the shower, and then left on for at least 15 minutes after you’ve finished. This will help to dry off any dampness or steam that may have built up in the bathroom. Clearing the damp will help to stop moisture building up on walls and ceilings. If you don’t have an extractor fan in your bathroom, then it’s worth investing in one as soon as possible. They’re not expensive and will make a huge difference by helping to dry out damp rooms quickly.
If your home has a moisture problem or if you have to patch up an old brick wall, lime mortar is a great solution. Lime mortar is a natural substance that can be used to repair brick walls and prevent mould from growing. Lime mortar is made by mixing lime with sand and water, which creates a paste that will dry to form a strong bond between bricks. You can also use lime plaster instead of mortar if you prefer, as this makes it easier for you to apply the mixture onto your wall.
Lime mortar is beautiful in its design and is a non-toxic, environmentally friendly cement alternative made from water, lime and sand. Mould loves a slightly acidic environment and so lime is great for preventing mould in your home due to its high alkaline pH value. Moulds are able to grow in anything less than pH7, when dry, lime plaster will have a pH of around 8.6.
Lime based materials are known to be highly breathable. Because they are permeable to water vapour, these products help prevent the formation of moisture, dampness or condensation, everything that mould loves.
Mortars made with lime are flexible and strong. This makes lime a good mortar for bricks that will be subjected to thermal expansion/contraction. Lime mortar can last for centuries without cracking, making it a good option when renovating an old house or building new structures.
Lime plaster is a great material for use as a render, its natural beauty can be enhanced by adding pigment to the mix. It also has many practical applications such as in plasterboard repairs and window sill repair. It can be used on interior or exterior walls depending on the type of lime you are using, blended with sand and water to create a paste that will dry to form a strong bond between bricks.
If you air-dry your clothes in poorly ventilated rooms during the winter, mould and other microorganisms can grow on them. On the rare occasion we have a dry or sunny day, try hanging your clothes outside. This will help them dry faster and prevent any mould growth.
We hope that this article has provided you with some useful tips on how to stop mould in your home. Our personal favourite tip is using lime to prevent mould. It’s important to remember that there are many different types of mould and each one requires a slightly different treatment plan, so we recommend seeking professional advice if you have any concerns about the type of mould in your home as well as what steps should be taken next.
