Black Mould Inspections And What They Mean

CONTENTS

• What is black mould?
• What are the health risks of black mould?
• What is a black mould inspection?
• How to prevent black mould
• What to do if black mould is in your home
• Get in touch

If you have spotted black mould growing in your home that means mould spores are already in the air and are spreading throughout your home. There may be growths you cannot see, like hidden behind the walls or under the floorboards, and you might need an inspection to find them.

Our services at ICE Cleaning include rapid and thorough mould remediation services, inspections, and damp surveys. Our Dewpoint-accredited technicians can determine the source of mould and advise on how to prevent it from returning.

Read on to learn about black mould inspections and what to do if you spot it in your home.

What is black mould?

Stachybotrys chartarum is a type of mould with a dark green or black appearance and is known more commonly as black mould. It thrives in humid, moist environments like homes in the UK where our wet weather provides it with the perfect conditions to grow.

Some areas in your home are more vulnerable to black mould, like the bathroom and kitchen due to splashing water and humidity. If left alone for too long, it will produce airborne spores that spread throughout your home and may become dangerous to live with.

What are the health risks of black mould?

The effects of mould exposure can vary in individuals depending on their age and potential health conditions. People with mould allergies, immunocompromised individuals, and asthmatics are more at risk of severe symptoms.

Extreme mould exposure in particularly vulnerable individuals could lead to asthma attacks, chronic respiratory disease, or fungal infections. According to a 2016 study, mould can also trigger asthma in school-age children. If you are sensitive to mould, you might suffer from symptoms like:

• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Irritated eyes
• Skin irritation

By attempting to remove black mould, you may put yourself at risk of inhaling airborne mould spores. Scrubbing it with cleaning products like bleach can potentially damage your lungs and skin.

What is a black mould inspection?

A mould inspection is crucial to the mould removal process as it identifies the mould spores on your property and their source.

An inspection can also determine if there are any hidden growths in your home by using devices like damp meters and thermal cameras.

The individual conducting a mould inspection must be someone from a certified mould removal company who detects and removes all fungi. A black mould inspection will consist of:

• An external inspection
• A revision of the client’s health and property history
• A thorough investigation
• An inspection of high-risk areas
• Taking mould samples via air or swab tests
• A sample analysis
• A conclusion and plans going forward

A bespoke mould removal service will follow once the inspection has concluded to suit your needs and current circumstances. Depending on any mould-related symptoms you are experiencing, healthcare may be recommended.

How to prevent black mould

Mould can grow in any home, regardless of how old or new it is. As a homeowner or tenant, you are responsible for preventing mould in your home.

There is always a small amount of mould in the air and it waits for the perfect environment to grow. To prevent black mould from growing in your home, you should:

• Ventilate your home often by opening doors and windows
• Close kitchen and bathroom doors to keep steam inside
• Have a damp survey conducted on your property
• Dry your clothes outside or on a heated clothes horse
• Install extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms
• Use a dehumidifier in high-risk areas
• Insulate your home thoroughly
• Install double-glazed windows

What to do if black mould is in your home

If you spot mould in your home, do not try to clean the mould yourself. It may only encourage the mould to spread and could put you at risk of a fungal infection by inhaling active mould spores. But what you can do is find ways to prevent future spread.

First, keep humidity in your property low by placing a dehumidifier or air purifier in the affected room and keeping the door closed. If your bedroom contains mould, you must sleep elsewhere or find temporary accommodation.

Finally, as soon as you spot any black mould, you should contact a mould removal company specialising in black mould inspections and remediation solutions.

Get in touch

Here at ICE Cleaning, we conduct mould inspections and offer mould remediation services. Our expert technicians can remove all traces of mould from your home, and with our services, we offer a lifetime guarantee* if the mould returns.

If you would like to book a mould inspection with us or want to know about our industrial cleaning services, contact our informative customer service team. We are available 24/7, 365 days a year at 0208 066 0360 or enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk.

*subject to advisories