If you’ve recently found patches of mould growing on your bathroom walls or ceiling, it’s important to get rid of the problem as soon as you can. Mould in your home can be damaging to the health of you and your family, particularly if there are older people or children living with you.

Simply cleaning mould from the surface of the walls will not stop it from growing back. You need to deal with the underlying cause and conditions in your home that are giving mould an environment where it can thrive. This means understanding what causes mould and where it comes from.

What are mould spores

Mould is closely related to the fungi family and spreads by way of microscopic particles called spores. These tiny spores are ubiquitous in the environment, floating through the air and settling on surfaces. While mould spores are a natural part of the ecosystem, they can become problematic when they find the right conditions to grow and multiply in your home.

These mould spores are the reproductive units of moulds, similar to seeds in plants. They are incredibly resilient and can survive in harsh conditions and usually remain completely inert until they find a suitable environment to grow. When they land on a damp surface, they can begin to grow and form visible mould colonies.

How mould spores spread

Mould spores spread through the air, water, and even on objects. They can enter your home through open windows, doors, ventilation systems, and even on your clothing or pets. Once inside, they can settle on various surfaces and remain dormant until they encounter the right conditions for growth. High humidity, poor ventilation, and dampness are key factors that contribute to the spread and growth of mould spores.

The conditions in your home that help mould grow

High humidity levels in your home are the foundation from which mould problems develop, and the root cause of this is often poor ventilation.

Mould spores need moisture to grow. High humidity levels, typically above 60%, provide the perfect environment for mould to thrive. Bathrooms, and kitchens are common areas with high humidity, especially if they are poorly ventilated.

High humidity levels cause condensation to form. This occurs when warm, moist air meets cold surfaces, such as windows and walls. Water droplets will form on the surface and can soak in to create a damp patch where mould spores can activate and start to spread.

Poor airflow, particularly in rooms with a source of moisture is a factor in condensation. A lack of ventilation such as an extractor fan in your bathroom means that the water vapour from bathing is not removed from the air, and instead is allowed to settle as condensation. By using your extractor fan or installing a whole house ventilation system such as EnviroVent ATMOS, you reduce the humidity levels and prevent condensation creating conditions where mould spores can start to grow.

Stopping mould growth in your home

Mould can be cleaned from surfaces using a fungicide or dilute bleach. Spraying the fungicide onto the areas infested with mould will kill the surface colony, and then the mould can be wiped away. Make sure you wear mouth and eye protection when cleaning mould to stop any spores from being inhaled, and if you suspect that you have a problem with toxic black mould – Stachybotrys Chartarum – you should have it professionally removed.

To stop the mould from returning, you need to remove the conditions that allow it to grow. The most effective way to reduce humidity is with ventilation. Ensure that extractor fans are fitted in your bathroom and kitchen and use them when bathing and cooking. This will remove the moist air before condensation has a chance to form.

If you have discovered mould away from an obvious source of moisture, then you should consider whether whole house ventilation may be more appropriate. Positive Input Ventilation Systems (PIV) such as EnviroVent ATMOS draw fresh air into your home from outdoors through a central unit and then distribute the air through multiple rooms. This displaces the humid air and stops condensation and mould throughout your home.

Find out more

Arrange a free home survey from one of our local ventilation specialists. They will visit your property and identify the source of moisture that is allowing condensation to form. They can provide you with advice about the best solution for your needs; simply enter your postcode below to find an expert in your area.