Mould is not just unsightly but it also poses significant health risks and can reduce the value of your property. It can trigger asthma and other respiratory problems in those sensitive to it and is particularly damaging for young children and elderly adults. For landlords, ignoring damp and mould in their properties could result in being prosecuted by the housing court for negligence.
Mould can appear in a number of places within your home, including stains on bathroom walls and ceilings or dark green or black patches in the loft or under floorboards. Mould is caused by a moisture problem in the building, either through water ingress or the build up of humidity over time due to poor ventilation.
Once the mould has established itself it can be difficult to eradicate completely. Anti-mould paint is usually fairly effective but is not always suitable for all areas of the house and it will need to be reapplied regularly. Mould thrives in dark and damp conditions, it cannot survive in direct sunlight as the ultraviolet rays will damage its cellular structure.
Mould spores are present in all indoor environments and it is not possible to eliminate them entirely from your home, however you can minimise the amount that grows in your property by controlling the conditions that allow it to grow. You should act quickly when you suspect that you have a mould problem, especially if the symptoms include coughing, sneezing and headaches – these are all signs that spores are being breathed in and over prolonged exposure they can cause serious health issues, especially for those with existing respiratory conditions such as asthma. mould specialist london