How can you control mould growth in your home

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Mould has been there on the surface of the earth since the beginning of time. It is always present in the air and needs only some humidity and moisture to thrive. Although it is a part and parcel of nature, you obviously do not want it growing in your home and ruining your pretty walls. Below outlined are ways on how you can control mould in your home.

1. Since mould thrives in humid and damp areas, keeping a watch on the humidity level can be a good preventive measure to avoid mould growth.

2. Promptly fixing any leaks in the roof or any pipe can prevent mould from growing since you eliminate the possibility of a damp environment that mould requires to grow.

3. An area must be thoroughly cleaned and dried up after a flood. By not getting a complete or a professional cleanup done, the area might still have traces of water from the flooding which will eventually give rise to mould.

4. Since showers, laundry area, and kitchen deal with water the most, keeping them properly ventilated will allow most of the water vapours to escape thus reducing the chances of mould growth in these commonly affected areas.

Most of the times, if the mould problem is small then the cleanup can be done by yourself. If you decide to use bleach to do the cleanup, then there are a few things to keep in mind.

• Mixing bleach with ammonia or other household cleaning solutions is a big no-no. 
• Keep the windows and doors open to allow fresh air to enter. Make sure there is proper ventilation in the area being cleaned. 
• Don’t forget to wear protective gloves and eyewear. Remember, safety comes first. 
• Follow the instructions given by the manufacturer when using bleach or any other cleaning product.

See Also: Different Types of Mould that Grow at Your Home

Mould can become a serious problem if not tackled in time. It is advised to get a professional mould cleanup as soon as you spot mould in your home. We at Bio Cleanse Services provide expert mould testing and mould cleanup services. Call now on 0427 411 789 or visit our website to know more.

Is your home infested with black mould?

Black mould or Stachybotrys chartarum is a fungus which is considered to be one of the most dangerous of its kind. It grows in dark, moist/damp places in the house like on the walls, tiles, ceilings and wooden cabinets. It not only gives your house an unkempt appearance but also poses a risk of several health problems to the inhabitants. Below are signs that will help you detect the presence of black mould in your house before it’s too late.

1. Musty odour

Mould has a musty, earthy and stale smell. Even if you do not see any mould but notice a peculiar smell when you enter an area in the house, it is a telltale sign of mould's presence. It is important to have the whole house inspected as mould could be hiding and growing underneath moist wallpapers, carpets, or in washing machines, air conditioning, etc.

In many cases, the occupants get accustomed to this musty, damp smell. Hence, it is advisable to have a friend to come over and detect if there are any odd smells.

2. Visible dark spots

Another sign that tells you black mould could be growing in your house is the appearance of black or dark green spots on the ceilings or walls. Black mould appears in clusters and often looks slimy. Even if you feel these spots are anything but mould, they could be due to water damage or standing water, which could lead to mould growth.

When you notice these spots are a result of water damage, call a water damage restoration specialist to clean and remediate the site as well as to check if there are any other areas that have suffered damages to avoid mould problems.

3. Effects on health

The most common health effects of black mould are allergic reactions. The symptoms include watery eyes, runny nose, coughing, wheezing, itchy eyes, headaches, fatigue, and skin irritation. If anyone in your house has been experiencing these symptoms for a while, it is best to have the entire house checked for mould by a professional.

4. Visible mould growth

At times, the growth of black mould in your house may be easily visible. While it is usually black in colour, furry and slimy, its colour may differ. In some cases, it may have hints of dark brown, greenish-black, or even orange or white.

No matter what the colour, every kind of mould needs to be removed thoroughly and the affected area should be disinfected properly.

If you suspect you may have a mould problem, call us on 0427 411 789 and we’ll take care of the rest.