WITH the weather starting to get a little warmer, you might think that mould and damp will be less of a problem – but that’s not the case.
During the colder months, a dark and damp home can certainly be a big issue, as it offers the ideal environment for this toxic fuzz to grow.
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Weeks of rain outside, constantly drying clothes inside, and opening windows less frequently can all cause humidity, and exacerbate a mould infestation.
But what you might not realise is that it doesn’t go away in the summer.
Plumbing expert, Mark Davies, from Cardiff-based M&M Plumbing told The Sun: “When most people think of mould, they think of the winter.
“But it can thrive in your home all-year round.”
Tell-tale signs include black, white or green patches appearing slowly on ceilings, walls or tiles, along with a musty smell, making the home uncomfortable.
Not only is mould unsightly, it can also cause a range of different health conditions, including respiratory issues and headaches.
“Preventing mould from forming, or getting rid of it as soon as you spot that it’s formed, is really important,” said Mark.
“Dealing with the problem doesn’t need to burn a big hole in your pocket.
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“There are plenty of budget-friendly steps you can take. But first and foremost, you need to know where to look.”
We asked Mark to talk us through some of the hidden mould hotspots in the home, and what you can do to get rid of the fungus without having to pay through the nose.
The bathroom floor – from less than £20
While you may know that the bathroom is one of the most common areas in the home for mould to form, you might not realise it can sometimes grow in places that aren’t easy to see or reach.
“If you can smell mould in your bathroom, but can’t see it, you will need to investigate further,” said Mark.
“One place that people don’t expect to find it, is within the floor. If it feels softer than usual, this can be a sign that the sub-floor is rotting away.”
The bad news is, there is no cheap fix for this, according to Mark. You may need to pay a professional to remove your floor and fix the damage.
According to Checkatrade, while you may be able to pick up laminate flooring relatively cheaply, for just £6.50 a metre, you could find yourself having to fork out around £150 to get a tradesperson to fit it.
“The best way to avoid mould in the bathroom is to get rid of any moisture after you have used the room,” said Mark.
“If you like a long steamy bath, fill your tub with cold water first, and then add your hot water. This will significantly cut down on condensation.”
Also consider investing in an extractor fan. At B&Q, you can get the Manrose bathroom extractor fan for under £20.
Equally, don’t forget that an extractor fan will add to your energy bill.
By contrast, remembering to open a window won’t cost you a penny.
After bathing or showering, aim to leave one open for half an hour to increase airflow.
The bedroom – a couple of pounds
Most of us wouldn’t expect to find mould in the bedroom, but Mark warns that it could be lurking on our mattresses, and especially during the summer months.
“As our bodies sweat to keep us cool during the warmer part of the year, this moisture, along with dead skin, can cause mould to develop,” he said.
“If you do notice it forming, you will need to vacuum both sides of your mattress. You should then clean the black patches with a damp, but not soaking, soapy cloth.”
Once done, leave to dry in sunlight if you can.
Mark adds that moisture in your bedroom could also come from you breathing and causing condensation.
“If you are starting to notice it, the solution, once again, is to use interior dehumidifiers,” said Mark.
“These will remove the moisture from the air.”
You can pick up a pack of eight microfibre cloths from B&M for just £3 if you don’t have any already – and you’ll have a few left over too.
The basement – from £10
If your home has a basement, this can be one of the most common places for mould to grow, according to Mark.
“These spaces are often dark, have no ventilation, and it’s common for pipes to leak down there, too,” said the plumbing supremo.
“The best way to prevent mould in the basement is to make sure there are no leaks in the first place. Leaking pipes can damage your home, increase your bills, and create an environment for mould to grow.”
For most people, regular checks will prevent moisture from building up. But if your basement is damp, you will need a dehumidifier.
“Electric models can be expensive,” warned Paul.
“So try an interior dehumidifier first. These are small devices which suck the moisture out of a room.”
On Amazon you can pick up a pack of 10 Babz interior humidifiers for less than a tenner.
Air condition units – from £1.29
As we move further into summer, and temperatures creep up, many of us will turn to our trusty air conditioning units to try and minimise the heat.
This can help reduce the amount of time we spend tossing and turning at night.
“The problem is, in the UK, we can go months without needing an aircon unit,” said Mark.
“If you haven’t used yours in a long time, there’s a good chance you will notice a musty smell when you turn it on for the first time this year.”
If this happens, the plumbing whizz recommends shutting it off and checking for mould.
“You then need to replace your filter, or clean down the unit with a commercial air conditioning spray,” said Mark.
“But as these sprays can be expensive, it’s worth trying a home-made solution first.”
Mark suggests using a mix of one cup of baking soda and two cups of water.
At Savers, you can buy 500g of baking soda for £1.29.
“Use this home-made spray to clean your filter,” said Mark.
“Next, with your aircon unit turned off and unplugged, remove your filter, and spray your home-made solution onto the coils. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse it off with water and let it dry.
Mark added: “Once it’s ready, put your unit back together and you should find you have removed all the mould.”
