Black speckles on paintwork, grout and window seals could be a sign that you have a mould problem. Unfortunately, black mould is a danger to your family and bad for your possessions, so it’s important to keep on top of it.
What is mould?
Domestic black mould thrives in our cool damp climate, and grows in homes where moisture accumulates. It’s caused by various species of fungi. Two common black moulds that grow in houses are Aspergillus niger and Stachybotrys chartarum.
Is black mould dangerous?
Black mould is linked to medical problems, including nose, eye and skin irritation. A black mould infestation can also worsen asthma. Babies, the elderly and immunocompromised people are particularly vulnerable to mouldy homes.
How does black mould damage possessions?
Black mould can spread from walls and tiles to textiles like curtains and carpets and on to any organic material – including paper, leather and wood. It is almost impossible to remove from books and papers, and will spread to other items. Mould can stain fabric with little black dots that can’t be washed out. It can also make your stuff smell musty.
How do I know if I’ve got black mould in my home?
Black mould looks like black speckles on walls but it can also affect wood, carpets and other fabrics. It occurs particularly near windows and in bathrooms and kitchens.
Causes of black mould in homes
Most mould in UK homes is caused by condensation from cooking and showering, and draught-proofed homes are particularly vulnerable to this. Wherever warm, damp air meets a cold surface, condensation occurs, as water droplets form on the surface, creating the damp conditions in which mould can thrive.
Condensation may form on outside walls behind large piece of furniture, or items stacked against the wall so that air cannot circulate.
How can I get rid of black mould?
If it’s only a small amount of black mould, you can clean it off with hot water and a mould cleaner. Once the area is clean and completely dry, you can paint over it, preferably with an anti-fungal paint.
You do need to investigate the damp that the mould in your home is growing on and correct it, or the mildew spots will just come back.
Check extractor fans – these need to go to the outside. Make sure that trickle vents are working and look for visible condensation (drops of water or mist on windows) on cold mornings. Check outside for leaking or blocked gutters.
Improving ventilation can help to reduce condensation. You can also run a dehumidifier overnight. And try to air the room by opening a window every day.
When should I call in a professional about black mould?
If you have any doubts about your ability to handle a mould problem, or if the mould patch is larger than a square metre, it’s best to call in professional help.
In the UK, landlords and housing associations have a responsibility to deal with black mould. Tenants should let their landlord know as soon as they spot signs of mould. Citizens Advice has a page about damp and mould in a rented home.
How can I prevent the condensation that causes black mould?
There are some steps you can take to reduce condensation in your home, and this will help stop mould growing.
Keeping your home heated to 15C will help to stop the formation of condensation.
Minimising damp in your home with good ventilation will help to prevent black mould. This is particularly important when cooking and showering. Your clothes drying habits will have an impact on humidity levels in your home. Drying clothing outside is best; but if that’s not possible, use a condensing tumble dryer or one that vents to the outside.
It’s a good habit to open your bedroom window first thing in the morning for 10 or 15 minutes, as this will improve air circulation.
Eliminating mould on outside walls
Where mould has formed on the inside of outer walls behind large furniture, it may help to improve the insulation of these walls. And you can make an air gap by moving the furniture away from the wall. This air gap should reduce condensation by allowing the wall to warm up.
If your home is very full of furniture, consider decluttering to give yourself a bit more space. Decluttering some of your possessions might allow you to get rid of (for example) a large wardrobe or shelving unit.
Decluttering will also make it easier to maintain your home and you will be more likely to spot black mould issues before they spread. Regular checks for condensation and damp will go a long way to keeping black mould under control.
If you’re not able to get rid of any stuff, you could temporarily put some domestic goods into storage until the mould problem is resolved.
A word of warning: make sure anything you put into storage is clean, dry and free from mould before packing it away. Your self-storage insurance won’t provide coverage for damage to items that were stored in your unit already damp or mouldy. Here is our advice for preventing mould in a storage unit.
Self-storage insurance will, however, cover you if your possessions went mouldy because of a leak in your storage unit.
Keeping your family and stuff safe from black mould
It’s really important to keep black mould at bay for the sake of your wellbeing: you and your family deserve a safe, healthy, mould-free home.
