With close to a million UK homes being affected by mould, it’s clear that the problem is a significant one, and if your home has been taken over by mould, know that you’re by no means alone. Caused when there is a buildup of moisture due to large numbers of people in a property, structural faults, a lack of ventilation or even poor insulation, mould can pose a danger to health if left untreated, and it looks pretty unsightly, too.
With the issue often much worse in the winter months – when windows are less likely to be opened and those struggling to pay for their energy bills, may not heat their homes sufficiently – companies tackling Mould Removal in London are often at their busiest.
While seeking professional help is always wise – especially if the problem has spread throughout your home, or is particularly bad in one area – smaller patches of mould may be able to treated by taking some, or all, of the following steps:
- Make good use of the bathroom extractor fan
Having a timer switch installed means that the fan can be left running for a short while after being turned off, while a humidity sensor can turn the fan on when steam is detected.
- Put your mattress on a base
Without a base to your mattress, air can’t circulate properly, and mould may appear.
- Make improvements to drainage
It may be that water on the surface is flowing underneath your home during periods of heavy rain, in which case having a drainage expert examine it might prove helpful.
- Install subfloor vents
These should be installed on all four sides, and can help improve ventilation throughout your home. A builder can help you with this.
- Have damp concrete or masonry sealed
A waterproof sealant can help create a barrier against moisture, but check with a local masonry contractor or builder before taking any steps to apply this to your home.
- Get your home’s moisture content measured professionally
A building surveyor can measure your home’s moisture content; a great way to help identify leaks that may have been hidden.
- Have a ground vapour barrier installed
Helping to stop air beneath the floors of your home from becoming damp, try installing thick polythene sheeting on the ground beneath your home.
When should you seek professional help from a mould removal company?
If mould is a problem that’s extensive throughout your home, or which simply never seems to go away no matter what methods you use to try and eliminate it, scheduling a visit from a mould removal company is the best solution.
Here’s what services they offer:
- Initial assessment – the problem will firstly need to be assessed, and during this stage, the mould removal expert will determine what type of mould is occurring, how severe the problem is, and what the best course of action to remove it would be.
- Containment – they will use specialist techniques to contain the mould spores and prevent them from spreading throughout the home.
- Removal – mould can be removed with the help of several different techniques, such as wet vacuuming, dry brushing and chemical treatments, and takes place once the area has been contained.
- Prevention – in some instances, to prevent mould from growing in the future, the guidance of a mould removal company can be sought, who will likely recommend a series of measures that can be taken, such as cleaning regularly, improving ventilation and installing dehumidifiers.
For more detailed advice regarding mould growth in your home, talk to a local mould removal company, who will help you deal with the problem in a way that is both safe and effective.