‘Tis the season to be mouldy… Unfortunately, when the weather is rainy, when it’s cold, and when your property isn’t getting adequate ventilation, your home becomes a veritable haven for mould and mildew. You see, mould loves dark and damp spaces. As a result, garages, bathrooms and laundry areas are usually the first places in the home where mould appears, because they tend to have poor ventilation and a lack of light.

 

Mould problems can easily get out of hand because mould spores can reproduce rapidly. This is why you need to get on top of it quickly. Mould can ruin your furniture, your clothes and, worst of all, it can be detrimental to you and your family’s health. Mould spores are airborne and unfortunately are easily inhaled. This can cause symptoms such as sinus issues, wheezing and asthma attacks, runny or itchy eyes and even skin rashes. It’s unhealthy for everyone, but mould can be particularly harmful to people with allergies, severe asthma or respiratory illnesses, or people with weak immune systems due to other conditions.

 

With warmer weather on the way, now is the time to get mould removed from your home and implement some strategies to keep your home mould-free in the future.

 

  1. Ventilation is key

On cooler days, it’s more difficult, but the key to preventing mould is to ensure you have adequate ventilation and airflow in your house or apartment. So, when weather permits – open windows and doors to encourage airflow in the home.  Ventilation is especially important to dry out areas prone to dampness, such as the bathroom and laundry.

 

Letting the sun shine into your home on sunny days can also help to dry out excess moisture inside the home. So open those curtains or blinds and let your home soak up some rays!

 

  1. Keep up with home maintenance

After a rain, it’s important to thoroughly check your home for leaks. If you do find a leak, get it fixed immediately because mould thrives in damp environments. If your furniture or belongings are damaged by the leak or flooding, remove them and dry them out thoroughly before bringing them back into the home.

 

Also, make sure exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens are working effectively – and if they break down, get them repaired as soon as possible. Adequate ventilation in these areas is a top priority for keeping your home mould-free.

 

 

 

  1. Consider using a dehumidifier

In some cases, particularly in small apartments where ventilation and sunlight are not at optimum levels, you might find you need to use a dehumidifier in the home. Most dehumidifiers work through refrigeration, but desiccant rotor models are also available. As the name suggests, dehumidifiers reduce humidity in the home. They do this by drawing in the damp and humid air, which is then filtered. Finally, the dehumidifier pushes out dry air, which reduces moisture in the environment.

 

Refrigerated dehumidifiers are ideal for hot weather. Whilst the desiccant rotor models are effective in both warm and cold weather.

 

  1. Get mould removed by a professional cleaner

Mould spores in high volume can be dangerous. If attempting to fix the problem yourself, you need to try and avoid brushing the mouldy area, as that will result in the spores spreading into the air, which in turn increases the risk of inhalation. Keep in mind, household cleaners containing bleach will only mask the issue and are not 100% effective in removing mould. In fact, leading consumer advocacy organisation, CHOICE, has stated that bleach can be harmful to tiles and grout, because it makes them more porous, which then increases vulnerability to fungi.

 

The most effective solution to any mould problem is getting a professional cleaner in to remove it completely from your home. Professionals deal with mould on a regular basis and they have the tools and know-how to get it done right.

 

To obtain a quote to remove mould in your home, contact Questa Services on 0413 235 605 or email [email protected]

 

With more than 15 years’ of experience in professional cleaning in Sydney, we can take care of your mould so you can spend your precious time taking care of the more important things in your life.