If you’ve never seen mould in your bathroom, you’re either a truly fastidious cleaner or you’re simply not looking hard enough. It’s one of the most common cleaning problems in the house. This is because the bathroom often provides the ideal conditions for mould to grow – much of the time there is warm, humid air and lots of moisture in a small space with little ventilation, and this is the best way for mould to grow.
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While winter may not see constant rain day in, day out, it’s nevertheless a challenging time of year for hill-bound households. Without the proper precautions and planning, your home may be susceptible to various rain-related problems – including mold.
Not only is it unsightly, mold’s effects run deeper than the aesthetic: mold has been known to cause irritated throats, congestion, coughing, eye discomfort, and skin issues. In some rare cases, it can even lead to infections in people suffering from serious problems with their immune system.
You want to protect yourself and your family from any frustrating smells or health concerns as much as you possibly can – and we’re going to help you!
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Condensation is an issue for every bathroom – it’s a humid environment where moisture is released into the air in an indoor environment by something as simple as taking a shower or a hot bath. Condensation forms when the hot steam meets cold air and surfaces, forming droplets on windows, mirrors and every hard surface. The hotter the water vapour, the more moisture the air can hold and the more condensation will be deposited on cold surfaces.
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If you’ve ever lived in an old house, chances are you’ve had some sort of encounter with damp. But, even poorly designed new buildings or internal water leaks can leave you facing a damp problem. Poorly ventilated bathrooms are often a haven for excess moisture in the home, and this can lead to a damp problem and mould growth. The tell-tale sign of a damp problem is often a musty, stale smell. On further inspection, a patch of affected wall or ceiling is usually found to have black mould (Stachybotrys chartarum) growing on it; a result of condensation. Mould is a fungus, and it’s the mould spores released into the air that are known to cause damp related illnesses.
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Wood is a very hard-wearing material and is resistant to most kinds of fungi or biological attack. However, when it’s subject to prolonged damp or wet conditions and the moisture content is raised to above 20%, it can be susceptible to the dry rot fungus. This wood-rotting fungus breaks down the cells in wood and causes it to lose its strength.
Today most homes and buildings are well designed and professionally constructed and if they’re also maintained properly the fungus that is dry rot should not develop in any of the timbers. However, the hidden wooden timbers in a home or building can be subject to prolonged exposure to moisture that we don’t know about and it’s here that serious problems can result.
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Damp occurs when moisture or water builds up within the structure of a building – often in the floor, walls or the ceiling. It can occur for a huge number of reasons, often related to poor building quality and it has become a serious problem in the UK, reducing the quality of living conditions in many households across the country.
Aside from causing physical damage to the upholstery and aesthetics of a property, damp can also cause structural problems as well as having health implications for those who live with severe cases. That’s why it can be so important to have a damp survey completed on your property if you’re worried about damp.
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Usually associated with the nasty back and green patches on the walls, mold is the non- scientific term for a wide variety of fungi. These organisms thrive in damp, warm and humid environment and can evolve both indoors and outdoors. Mold is not only unsightly and smelly, but it is also potentially dangerous for human health.
Toxic black mold in particular can be quite hazardous and can trigger an array of symptoms. Also known as Stachybotrys chartarum, these fungi feed on organic materials such as carpet, insulation and drywall, while releasing spores. These spores are then inhaled or ingested, causing a range of unpleasant and sometimes severe health issues.
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In a business setup, indoor mold growth is responsible for more than just nasty smells. Mold is a fungus that spreads through the ventilation and HVAC system, into the very air that you, your customers and your employees breathe.
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Water damage can occur in your home when you least expect it. Water damage can be costly to repair and nearly 1 million families have their homes ruined every year because of water damage. It is imperative to prevent water damage in your home and here are 9 ways to keep your home well-maintained:
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While the most ideal locations for mold to grow are kitchens, bathrooms, and basements—as they generally provide mold spores daily access to a bountiful supply of decaying organic material (dirt, dust, sweat, food, urine, hair, body oils, etc.)—mold will grow wherever its needs are even remotely met.
With the potential of microscopic mold spores naturally teeming in the thousands (if not millions) inside and outside the home, it should come as no surprise that your chances—of acquiring mold growth at all—are incredibly high. In fact, it is a constant battle, especially in more humid climates or in homes that have moisture issues.
Even if a home does not suffer from moisture issues, the simple daily tasks performed as a pet owner could be inviting and maintaining mold growth. The purpose of this article is to reveal the mold-inviting scenarios you’re faced with as a pet owner.
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Mold can grow most anywhere with the help of several atmospheric conditions, as well as catalysts, such as water leaks, unkempt or neglected homes, and other homeowner or renter mistakes. But, in some cases, mold-growth can be the result of a specific career.
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It may not be the first location you think of when the topic of mold comes up, but in this hustle-bustle, quick-and-easy, on-the-go lifestyle that most of us have bought into, these six words could be the truth of an entire commuting and overworked generation: “I practically live in my car.”
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Whether you keep a tidy vehicle or not, mold is a persistent threat. Owners must be vigilant in the upkeep of their vehicles, in order to avoid what could become a costly issue, both financially and health-wise. The key is prevention—a routine defense strategy—but if mold is already present, salvageable remediation may still be possible.
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It is common knowledge that mold grows most frequently in rooms that serve as a basis for water use. The laundry room and dirty clothes hampers, in fact, are the ideal locations for mold to grow, as they generally provide mold spores daily access to a bountiful supply of decaying organic material (dirt, dust, sweat, food, urine, hair, body oils, etc.) to feed on and, in many cases, moisture.
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It is common knowledge that mold grows most frequently in rooms that serve as a basis for water use. The kitchen, in fact, is the ideal location for mold to grow, as it provides mold spores daily access to a bountiful supply of moisture to thrive in and decaying organic material to feed on.
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Mold may not be hailed as a friendly, beneficial presence, but in the case of early warning signs for diabetes, it could just save your life.
Do you or a loved one experience any of the following symptoms?
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When it comes to mold, the most commonly discussed topics are moisture and the effects of mold on the health of the home’s residents. While moisture and health concerns are vital symptoms of mold that can’t be ignored, it is still important that the homeowner or renter be prepared to recognize the presence of mold long before excessive moisture and bad health set off alarms.
Think of your home like you would your own body. When you’re ill, your body displays symptoms that give clues as to what the root sickness is. Doctors can’t diagnose your illness, disease, syndrome, or disorder until they have considered all the symptoms and ruled out false causes. The same detective work should be done in relation to your home.
There are three symptoms—aside from moisture and health issues—that reveal the presence of mold in the home.
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In an article, titled HVAC Systems, Mold, and Homeowner Responsibilities, a brief overview of the function of the HVAC system as a whole and in collaboration with the homeowner’s preventative measures against mold were discussed. While many of the same concepts will be covered here, the purpose of this article is to equip the homeowner with knowledge concerning the maintenance of the forced-air central cooling system so as to shield the home even further from mold infestation.
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Within the walls, flooring, and ceilings of your domain, the HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning) system is busily catering to your specific comfort needs. Much like the circulatory or cardiovascular system of our bodies, the HVAC system regulates and monitors the ebb and flow of a home’s life sources: air and temperature.
A complete HVAC system is usually comprised of a “split system,” which consists of two separate devices: the “central cooling system” and the “central heating system.” In many cases, a home is equipped with only a central heating system, which could be due to the financial limitations of the original home owner, or because the climate in that specific area is generally cooler all year-round. In the case of a split system, however, both the cooling and the heating systems are “matched,” or paired. This means that they share the same ductwork and ventilation throughout the house and—depending on the type and configuration—both systems can actually work in sync with one another by combining specific processes, despite their seemingly contradictory functions.
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Mold is more common than we’d like to realize, and while it may not impact us on a daily basis, it’s possible that this pesky fungus will eventually come and kick us in the butt. Even if you don’t think about it often, there are many ways that mold can have a negative impact on your life. However, when you’re more aware of the potential dangers it possesses, you have a better chance of getting ahead of it. Check out the following four ways that mold can ruin your life.
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