Winter is here (almost). It is a time of mixed feelings with the festivities and the cold weather. With the cold weather comes an uninvited guest to your household - mould.
Mould is a scary word that strikes fear in every household - for good reasons. Mould is dangerous, causes severe health problems, and brings in structural damage that could cost thousands of Pounds. But you don't need to worry, and it will not be as dangerous as this if you take preventive measures in the first place.
We'll start with the most common places where you can check for moulds and thoroughly clean up the area before anything dangerous happens.
Above all, remember the golden rule to mould - the faster you can take preventive measures, the better. Don't wait for it to be unbearable - it is not one of those things that you procrastinate until the end of cold weather.
But first, what exactly is mould? Mould are particles that are airborne spore that lives in warm and damp conditions. It forms on any surface, from wood, tiles, concrete walls, and plastics, and literally, any surface is not mould-safe.
Winter is a peak time for mould infestations since we keep windows and doors locked away from the cold. But when we do so, your home lacks ventilation, building humid air. As days go by, condensation will gather for the mould deposits to grow.
So, here are 8 quick and easy ways to prevent mould from growing in the first place, ensuring that your house is a safe space in the cold weather.
1 Ventilate the home as much as possible
While it will be tough to keep the windows open during the colder days of summer, try to ventilate the house as much as possible when there is sunlight. It is the right decision to tighten the windows until spring but try to keep some air flowing in whenever possible.
Kitchens and bathrooms have the highest risk of building mould with the excess dampness in these areas. So when cooking, or having a shower, open a window or two for a short time.
Alternatively, have air vents retrofitted into your windows if you are conscious of letting the heat out.
2 Don't let it spread
The kitchen and the bathroom are the most common sites for mould, and the first thing about keeping the rest of the space free from mould is to confine it. Keep the bathroom door closed while having a shower or a bath.
If you leave it open, steam will travel around the house more freely, causing more mould problems.
Over time, condensation can build up on the walls in your hallway or landing, to more mould growth.
3 Watch out for your carpets
If you notice an unpleasant odour in the carpeted rooms, it is time to take immediate action. While it can go unnoticed by the naked eye, the foul smell results from the build-up of moisture in the carpet.
Prevention is always the best cure, so invest in high-quality carpet padding with anti-microbial properties. While this can be a little expensive, it will save you money and the hassle in the long run if you become a victim of a mould breakout.
Ensure that you have regular vacuuming of your carpets and get them cleaned by a professional at least once a year to ensure they are clean.
4 Check for leaks
Kettles and showers can have moisture build up when they are in use. For example, if you have a loose tap in the bathroom, tiny drops of water can leak, eventually bringing in excess moisture.
This happens commonly under the sinks, behind toilets and around the washing machine. Don't forget to look behind the dishwasher or in the drain pipes. Sometimes, you might miss the drain pipes above the ceiling, so set up a calendar event to routinely check for such leaks.
If you find a leak, consult a professional to help you out before things go out of hand.
5 Clear the clutter
We've all heard of spring cleaning, but Winter is a better time to throw away unwanted things around the home. The more we have, particularly in cupboards and wardrobes, the less space the air has to circulate.
The result? More space for mould growth.
As the colder months creep in, spend a day clearing your house of unwanted clutter. You won't regret it!
6 Don't dry clothes indoors
It might be tempting to dry your clothes on a clothes horse or a radiator to make life easy, but without ventilation, the moisture from your clothes will evaporate and settle on the ceilings and walls.
Consider investing in a tumble dryer to dry them or if that's not possible, open the windows when you dry your clothes.
7 Clean the extractor fans
The extractor fans in the kitchen and the bathroom are ideal for ventilation and improved circulation, but they can get clogged over time and lose power.
n
They are a great resource to own, and to make the best use of it, clean them regularly. Clean the dirt out regularly and have a service person check periodically.
Extractor fans are essential for filtering humidity and foul odours outdoors.
8 Use a Dehumidifer
Dehumidifiers drastically reduce humidity levels, making your home less hospitable to mould, mildew and dust mites.
If you're running a dehumidifier for the first time, you'll be amazed to see how much water gets collected from the air. Some can even gather up to 20 litres in a few hours. This will happen when it is the first time, and if you use it regularly, it will help reduce the moisture levels inside the home.
Getting ready!
If you want to get your home ready for the Winter, and if you are feeling uncertain of mould deposits, Accurate Handyman can help you through this.
Allow our professionals to take a look and completely clean your home before the cold weather comes through.
<< Return to news