One of the most common and unsightly problems homeowners face is mould infestation. Mould and mildew can grow on virtually any surface and thrive on moisture. Therefore, they feel completely at home in warm, damp, dim lit, unventilated areas. There are a lot of places in your home that black mould may settle.
Here are a few of our top tips on how to get rid of mould for good!
Apart from being unsightly, mould produces a pungent odour and can cause serious damage if left unchecked. It can also cause serious health issues as it is often linked to asthma attacks and allergies.
Deal With Moisture
Mildew is a thin layer of biofilm often black or white in colour. You can most commonly find it in your bathroom, although it thrives in other damp and dark rooms like the basement. The best way to prevent mildew from forming is therefore to eliminate the source of moisture.
Make sure you clean the bathroom and kitchen regularly to ensure that the surfaces there don’t stay wet after you’ve showered or prepared lunch. The same thing goes for the basement. If it’s damp make sure to eliminate the source of the moisture like crevices.
One good way to make sure your home is moist-free is to use an air conditioner, as it takes the air containing the moisture and circulates it. You can also use a dehumidifier, or simply open your windows wide if the weather is pleasant outside.
Air Quality Monitor
One way to keep on top of the air quality in your home is with a device that will check the air for you. Something like the Wave mini does just that. It evaluates the risk of mould in your home by checking the temperature, humidity and toxic chemicals in the air around you. You simply set it up by connecting it to an app on your phone and let it do it’s thing. If the light on the device is green then you’re all good. However, if it’s red or yellow, there may be a few things you need to check to prevent mould from forming.
It takes around 10 days to settle in your home to properly be able to detect the quality of your air before it will give you a proper reading. After that, all you need to do is check it a few times a week to make sure you have the green light. A great little device if you want to keep track of the quality of the air in your home.
Use Cleaning Agents
There are several remedies you can use to clean black mould or mildew, and most of them you already have in your home. For example, bleach can be very effective in combating mould. Simply mix a cup of water with a cup of bleach and use a spray bottle to distribute the solution across the infected area. Be careful, as bleach can damage some materials like wood.
Other common household items that can help are vinegar and baking soda. Vinegar is similar to bleach but without the dangerous fumes. On the other hand, baking soda is safe and mild and can be used on any surface.
Other chemicals you can use include ammonia and borax, but there are certain health concerns linked to both.
Eliminate Large Infestations
While we tend to notice black mould only when it appears on a visible surface, mould can grow inside walls. Homeowners often don’t notice the infestation even though the unpleasant smell is often a dead giveaway. At this point, you have to literally cut the mould out of walls, carpets, and other areas.
Experienced DIY-ers can do this on their own, even though it’s not recommended. Make sure you wear protective gear and keep the windows open to eliminating the spores that are left in the air after you’ve started the process. You will have to cut through the walls to find the source of the infestation, so make sure you cut the power to that room, as you might stumble onto wiring.
After you’re done, vacuum the debris so you can prevent the spores from spreading again. Use one of the solutions above to clean the surrounding areas and then wipe your walls dry. Once you are sure you are rid of everything, make sure to put proper insulation, replace the trim and use a paint with mildew-cide.
Call In Professional Help
If removing the infestation seems tiresome, it’s because it is. This can be a long, daunting process. More importantly, it can be dangerous in many ways. When you notice a serious infestation, the best course of action is to call in the experts to make sure the mould does not come back.
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