Everyday activities such as cooking, running a bath or drying clothes creates moisture, which in your home, rises into the air. When this moisture meets a cold surface like a window or outside wall it condenses and leaves water droplets on the surface. If this is allowed to happen on a regular basis an unsightly mould growth is likely to appear on walls or soft furnishings and windows.
Avoid moisture build-up to prevent mould growth
You can help prevent condensation by:
- Ensuring the home receives adequate natural ventilation. Fresh dry air needs to come into the home to remove moist stale air. Open windows a little, reduce misting up and do not close trickle ventilators where fitted.
- Using extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom
- Wiping and drying away moisture where you see it, especially water lying on the inside of your windowsill
- Keeping rooms warm – a low heat throughout the day will help
- Not blocking air vents which are fitted to reduce condensation
- Apex recommend that clothes are dried outside on the clothes lines provided and only use a tumble dryer if it is piped directly to the outside atmosphere
- If clothes are to be dried within the property we recommend that they are placed on a clothes horse in the bathroom with the heat on, the ventilation extractor fan on, the window open and the door kept closed
- Opening the kitchen window when you are cooking
Everyday living habits – main culprit for mould growth
The presence of black mould is very rarely associated with rising damp as ground moisture contaminates walls with soluble salts, which will not promote the growth of black mould.
If black mould is growing on the internal surface of the window glass, wall or framing it would strongly suggest that the source of the moisture is coming from within the room by way of condensation. Observations indicate that condensation and wetting of walls results in the deterioration of the internal decorative finishes and subsequent growth of black mould. The black mould growth and mildew has come about by the generation of excessive levels of moisture, primarily by way of the everyday living habits of the tenants/householders.
Use anti-fungal wash to wipe off mould growth
Mould growth can be wiped off with a solution of anti-fungal wash that can be purchased in local hardware stores. If left unattended this will make the dwelling very uncomfortable with mould growth, stale air and very humid conditions.