Black mould removal
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What is black mould?
Black mould is the common name given to a specific type of mould, ‘Stachybotrys chartarum’. It is a common household problem that is generally caused by condensation, leaks or moisture in the air.
In addition to its unsightly appearance and damaging effect it can have on furniture and fabrics, black mould is also known for the potential health impacts it can have.
All buildings are potentially at risk from black mould and it can appear in any part of the home where there is a damp, stagnant atmosphere. Continue reading this page for more help and advice on black mould, or find out how the professionals at Peter Cox can remove it from your property for good.
How dangerous is black mould to health?
Only certain vulnerable groups of individuals will be affected by black mould and black mould is very unlikely to be the root cause of an individual's health problem. However, people suffering from respiratory illnesses such as asthma or bronchitis may see their symptoms aggravated by living in a mouldy property.
The general guidance, however, is that inhaling or ingesting black mould spores or mycotoxins has long been associated with ill health in humans and animals alike. This is particularly prominent amongst the very young, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions such as asthma. Some of the adverse long term health effects of direct contact with black mould are:
- Circulatory and respiratory problems
- Skin inflammation and rashes
- Eye inflammation and soreness
- Red or bloodshot eyes
- Tiredness and Discomfort Symptoms
How to identify black mould on walls
Black mould has a very distinctive appearance. When active and germinating it is usually dark green or black and slimy. In its inactive state it will appear dry and powdery, however, it is important to recognise that black mould can cause problems in either state.
If the affected wall is made of non-porous material then the black mould will appear on the surface, making it quite easy to spot and identify, however, it is often the case that black mould has grown in the cavities behind the wall itself or behind wallpaper, this is difficult to see without conducting a disruptive survey such as a borescope survey.
Alongside an unappealing damp earthy smell in affected rooms you may notice the following signs of black mould…
What are the signs of mould in walls?
- The appearance of a black or very dark green slimy mould on the wall
- A musky earthy smell often accompanies black mould growth on walls
- If problems associated with allergies such as sneezing or skin irritation seem to improve when you are outside of the home, then you may have a mould infestation in your walls
What causes black mould to grow
There are four typical reasons why you are seeing black mould on your walls:
- Excess moisture in the form of condensation
- High humidity and poor ventilation
- Water leaking into the property
- Other damp related issue such as penetrating damp
The two leading causes of black mould appearing on or behind your walls can be resolved by introducing more ventilation into the home, either through opening windows, clearing vents or installing a ventilation unit.
With regard to the other two reasons, plumbing defects and burst water pipes can lead to a build up of moisture and high humidity behind the walls . In terms of other types of damp being the possible cause, issues with penetrating damp from sources such as burst downpipes can lead to moisture penetrating through to the inner wall and causing black mould to grow on the wall.
How to get rid of mould on walls
Firstly, in order to stop black mould from occuring, you must tackle the source of the moisture. Without tackling the source of moisture then the mould is likely to return.
There are some very cost effective methods to tackle and get rid of the black mould ranging from free solutions to mechanical solutions.
In terms of the free solutions, this is purely down to everyday activities within our property or home and what changes we can make that will then have a positive impact at reducing the black mould. To find out more, visit our page on how to stop condensation and excess moisture for free tips and tricks.
If changing everyday activities do not resolve the black mould issue, then we will need to consider and combination of chemical products ad mechanical solutions to remove the black mould. To find out more, visit our black mould removal web page.
Contact the black mould specialists
As the market leaders in treating and removing black mould Peter Cox offer a holistic service where a fully trained and qualified black mould removal specialist will comprehensively investigate your property to identify all the black mould areas and the source of the moisture leading to the black mould growth.
We have a team of specialists at a local branch near you who would be happy to discuss your black mould problems and offer invaluable help and advice on the best way to preserve your property and return it to a safely habitable space.
To contact us for help and advice call or click to find your local branch or click the button below to book a survey.
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