How to Prevent Mould Growth in Your Home?

It is common for mould to develop in homes as they have several areas conducive for its growth such as the bathroom, kitchen, mudrooms, basements etc. These areas usually have high levels of moisture, poor ventilation, and little exposure to the sun, making them the ideal spaces for mould to thrive. If left untreated, mould can cause severe respiratory problems and allergies as its spores can travel by air contaminating the environment indoors.

It is better to be proactive to prevent it from growing in the first place rather than treating it after an infestation occurs. However, if your home has mould growth, here is your guide by the expert end of lease cleaners in Brisbane to understand what mould is, how is it different from mildew, and how to prevent future growth.

What is Mould?

Mould is a commonly occurring fungus in nature that causes the bio-degeneration of natural materials. The fungus has microorganisms called spores that travel by air, and when they settle on a damp area, they have the opportunity to multiple. It is how mould grows if wet spaces are not cleaned and dried regularly.

According to expert end of lease cleaners in Brisbane mould looks like a stain that can be black, white, purple, or green. In homes with persistent dampness, plumbing leaks, and seepage, the most common type found is black mould.

What is the Difference between Mould and Mildew?

Mould and mildew are both types of fungi with extremely similar properties, and many consider mildew to be mould at an early stage. If mildew is not cleaned and allowed to grow, it doesn’t take much time to become mould with harmful spores that can contaminate indoor air.

However, both fungi can develop independently in damp and enclosed spaces. Mildew is generally not harmful and easy to clean, whereas mould is harmful as it can aggravate allergies and cause a variety of respiratory problems.

How to Prevent Mould Growth in Your Home?

If your house has significant mould growth, it is recommended to hire professional cleaners who are experienced, have the right tools and know the correct techniques to treat mould and reduce its chances of regrowth. However, if the growth is small, here are some methods that can be used to remove mould at home.

Regularly Mop, Dry & Aerate Damp Areas

The walls, floors, and sections behind heavy objects in these parts of the house become moisture ridden due to exposure to steam/ water and poor ventilation. Therefore, to prevent mould from growing inside your home, make sure you regularly mop and deep clean bathrooms, kitchen, basements, laundry rooms etc.

Also, it is essential to aerate these areas by installing exhaust fans and opening doors/windows for proper airflow.

Use Tools That Reduce Moisture

One of the best ways to avoid damp areas in your house is to use equipment to keep your house’s moisture level below 60%. When the weather is hot and humid, use air conditioners and dehumidifiers to reduce air dampness. If the weather is cold, use heat blowers or install central heating systems. In addition, get insulation installed for walls, floors, windows etc. to prevent moisture from outside to seep in.

Get Leaks and Seepage Fixed

If any room in your house has constantly wet walls, ceiling, or floor hire professional contractors to inspect the source. If there are plumbing leaks and seepage, get them fixed immediately as they can cause the growth of mould. Sometimes, you may not know that there is a leak or seepage but upon entering the room if it smells musty or pungent, inspect every nook and cranny for mildew or mould infestation.

Clean Small Infestation Immediately

If you spot a stain of mildew in any area of the house expert end of lease cleaners in Brisbane advise cleaning it immediately. Small patches of mould from walls and floors can be removed using one part chlorine bleach and three parts water solutions. Spray the solution over the mould and let it rest for a few hours. Then scrub with a brush dipped in water and detergent solution. Wipe off the residues until the surface is clean then ensure it dries completely.

Mould can be cleaned using natural cleaning ingredients like distilled white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda. When cleaning with vinegar or hydrogen peroxide (3% concentration), spray them directly over the stain. To use baking soda, you’ll have to mix a quarter of a tablespoon in a spray bottle filled with water.

The baking soda solution works immediately; vinegar will take an hour to kill the microbes whereas hydrogen peroxide will take 10-15 minutes. Once the solutions have done their work scrub the stain off with water and detergent, then wipe dry until no residue remains. Once the mould is removed from the walls, make sure to proof the area with mould resistant products.

Proof Your Home To Prevent Mould Growth

‘Prevention is better than cure’ is correct when it comes to being proactive and making your home safe from mould. If you had to call professional cleaners to treat the mould problem in your house, the next step should apply mould resistant products your home with the help of expert contractors. Here is a list of things to get done.

• Get mould resistant drywall to protect the walls and ceiling from fungus growth
• Proof the outside of your house with water-resistant membranes
• Invest in drying equipment that can be used to evaporate moisture from damp walls and other areas.

Always Hire Professionals if Growth is Substantial

Widespread mould growth is extremely harmful because it contaminates the air with spores. Treating it would require the use of potent chemicals along with the right tools and proper safety gear, which is why it is best to hire professional cleaners in Brisbane. The experts can safely clear a mould infestation and proof the surface to stop regeneration.

If you are at the end of tenancy with the house having mould growth, you should hire professional end of lease cleaners in Brisbane to avail their bond cleaning and mould removal services to secure your entire deposit.

Endnote

Taking the measure mentioned above to prevent mould growth in wet areas of the house is necessary. These measures will help keep the structural integrity of the property and keep your family from falling sick. However, if your home has a mould infestation, the best course of action is to hire professional cleaners in Brisbane to treat it. In addition, get your home proofed to inhibit mould growth in the future.