How To Prevent Mould In Your Property Building

CONTENTS

• What is mould?
• The risks of mould
• How mould can spread in your property building
• How mould can devalue your property building
• How to prevent mould
• What to do when you see mould
• Get in touch

As a property manager, you are responsible for ensuring your occupants have a safe and comfortable environment to live in. If you do not install the proper preventative measures for mould and damp, you could be made legally responsible for illnesses or damages.

If mould has taken over one of your properties, you can turn to ICE Cleaning’s leading mould remediation team. Our mould removal services are some of the best in the UK, offering a lifetime guarantee* to ensure mould does not return to an affected property after its removal.

Read on to learn more about what you should do to prevent mould in your property.

*subject to advisories

What is mould?

Mould is a difficult fungus to control and tackle once it begins growing in your house. You may recognise it as a dark green or black, slimy substance that grows around windows, or in the corner of your room. However, it is much more than just an unsightly problem.

Because mould spores are always present in our environment, it is difficult to remove once it starts growing. Most mould issues are due to environmental factors, such as dampness and humidity. With a well-regulated environment and good air quality, you can avoid mould growth forever.

However, if left alone to fester, mould will embed itself deeply into the surfaces it grows on, leading to structural damage and rotting. Anyone exposed to mould for a prolonged period of time is at risk of contracting mould-related illnesses and infections.

The risks of mould

If a child is living in a mould-infested property, they are statistically more likely to develop asthma due to living with indoor mould. This is because inhaling these spores daily can change the way their lungs function, and may trigger a condition known as hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Although healthy adults are less likely to experience mould allergies that cause coughing, wheezing, and sneezing, there is a risk of illness. In recent years, it has been found that the toxins present in mould can trigger chronic illnesses like:

• Lupus
• Arthritis
• Sarcoidosis
• Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome

How mould can spread in your property building

There are several ways mould can spread, but the most common form of transmission is through airborne spores. Once mould has become visible, it has already started to produce spores, which will stagnate and travel throughout a property building quickly.

If you own a building with several flats that are all linked by an air conditioning system, mould can spread through these and grow inside air vents. The mould spores can carry across several flats, and may even infest a neighbouring property just by growing on the wall.

This is because mould will slowly eat away at rotting surfaces, providing them with dead organic matter which they require to survive. When several flats are infested with mould, they can spread to other homes without needing damp, humidity, or dead organics.

How mould can devalue your property building

According to a report conducted by Rated People, in 2021 signs of damp and mould are the worst contributors to house value. It is estimated that having these signs in your property can devalue a house by £9,571.

This is because mould is an incredibly unsightly issue, and due to recent health controversies involving mould, people are less likely to purchase or rent a property with mould. Removing mould professionally can boost the value and ensure a safer occupancy for future residents.

How to prevent mould

As a property owner, you are responsible for preventing mould growth in your buildings. Because it is often caused by environmental factors like moisture, warmth, and dead organic matter, it is easily preventable with the correct measures in place.

If you fail to prevent mould and do not address it properly, your tenant may report you to the council which could fine you up to £30,000. This could also lead to a court order where you are prevented from letting property again. To properly prevent mould in your properties, you must:

• Check for damp regularly
• Ensure the tenant has proper ventilation in every room
• Install extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms
• Advise the tenant on how to ventilate the property
• Have a professional conduct a moisture survey

What to do when you see mould

If you see mould, then you must contact mould removal services immediately. Although it may be tempting to try and clean it yourself, there is little you can do about it without professional help. Domestic cleaning products will only remove surface mould but cannot kill it at the source.

Mould will need to be removed at the source, and this can be hard to do when it penetrates porous surfaces deeply. Mould specialists with industrial-grade technology will be able to do this effectively and safely. Trying to do it yourself may expose you to mould spores or exacerbate the spread.

Get in touch

We are a mould removal company that operates nationwide, offering leading solutions in mould remediation. Our technicians are Dewpoint-accredited and can identify mould at the source to remove it permanently. With our innovative technology and solutions, we can make your home safe.

If you want to know more about our industrial cleaning services, get in touch with us at 0208 066 0360 or enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk. Our lines are open day and night, 365 days a year, we can solve your problem at your earliest convenience.