Mould in your home? Here’s what you need to know before getting stuck into any attempt at cleaning it…
1. Mould isn’t the same as mildew
People tend to lump mould and mildew together, thinking they are much the same thing. Though they do share similarities in their makeup, the main difference is that mildew is a surface fungus while mould can penetrate surfaces setting deep roots, making it more difficult to remove.
2. Asthma can be triggered and worsened by mould exposure
Mould produces spores that are airborne and easily inhaled, causing issues for asthma sufferers and people with allergies. Many find that their symptoms worsen near mould infestations and long-term exposure has even been known to cause asthma in people who have not been diagnosed with the condition previously.
3. Mould may cause depression and low mood
Multiple studies have linked depression and low mood to mould infestations, even mild exposure. It’s not hard to imagine that living in a place where your asthma or allergies are flaring up constantly could create that kind of result.
4. Mould can take root on almost any surface
As frustrating as it is to admit, there really aren’t many surfaces in a household that are truly safe from mould growth. All it takes is a way for the mould to enter the home (vents, windows, air conditioning systems, etc.) and moisture or humidity for it to feed upon. If this happens, paper, cardboard, paints, insulation, clothing, wallpaper, grout, silicone - most surfaces can be affected.
5. Painting over mould won’t fix the problem
We’ve all had the thought at one stage or another, “What if I just paint over it? Surely that will kill the mould.” Unfortunately, fully removing mould takes more than just a coat of paint, even paint that claims to be able to ‘kill mould’.
6. Mould can grow and spread within a few days
In just 24 hours, mould can sink its roots in and start spreading, making it so important that any water leakages are sealed and surfaces are dried as soon as possible.
7. Mould can reduce the value of your property
Knowing what we now know about mould, it’s not hard to see why it would reduce the value of your home when the time comes for a valuation to sell (or even to lease) the property. Not only can it lower the functionality of the home, but the potential for costly repairs can make values drop dramatically.
BONUS: Removing mould doesn’t actually have to be as difficult as you might think
As long as you’ve addressed the underlying cause of the mould (water leakage, excess moisture due to low ventilation, etc.) simply use our fantastic mould remover, the Miracle Mould Removal Gel, to take care of any visible mould spots down to the roots. Then, you can use a specialised nanocoat protective solution on the surface to create a hydrophobic barrier, reducing the chances of mould reappearing.
