How To Prevent Mould On Windows

• What causes mould to grow on windows?
• Is mould on windows dangerous?
• How to stop mould growing on windows
  • Remove all the mould in your home
  • Find ways to prevent the mould growing back
• Contact our team today

Although mould growing on windows is a common problem in the UK, that is not to say it should not be taken seriously. It can put people’s health at risk, damage your window frames, and quickly spread around the rest of your home.

At ICE Cleaning, our mould remediation services are carried out by trained mould specialists. Our nine-stage mould removal process will eliminate every trace from your home, giving you the peace of mind that it is clean and safe. We are available 24/7, 365 days a year, nationwide.

Read on to find out why mould is growing on your windows and how to stop it in the future.

What causes mould to grow on windows?

Mould is a type of fungus that feeds off dead organic material. It is usually caused by excess moisture, such as high humidity, damp, and condensation in a property. Poor ventilation also enables it to thrive as it allows humid air to build up and condensation to occur.

There are some more specific reasons why mould could start growing on your windows and window frames:

• During the colder months, condensation can form on windows and make window frames damp
• If your window frame is leaking, it could let in rainwater and make the surrounding area wet
• There is plenty of organic material for the mould on window frames to feed off including dirt, dust, and dead bugs, and, depending on what it is made from, wood
• Should you display houseplants on window sills, they can produce humidity
• Windows in modern homes are particularly vulnerable to getting mouldy as older windows tend to let in draughts which ventilate the area and prevent condensation building up

Is mould on windows dangerous?

Mould can endanger people’s health, particularly people who are elderly or very young, or have respiratory problems, weakened immune systems, and skin problems. It produces allergens, irritants, and sometimes toxic substances called mycotoxins.

Inhaling, ingesting, and touching mould spores can trigger an allergic reaction, resulting in symptoms including sneezing, a skin rash, and irritated eyes. It may even cause asthma attacks.

Mould on window sills can be particularly harmful as you are more likely to come in close contact with it when opening or closing the window.  

If black mould is on your windows (also known as Stachybotrys Chartarum), it is especially hazardous as it can produce mycotoxins. When these toxic compounds are inhaled, absorbed into the skin, or ingested they cause serious health problems, such as mould poisoning.

Mould can eat away at your window frames if they are made of wood, too, and leave behind lasting damage.  

How to stop mould growing on windows

Remove all the mould in your home

Although there are plenty of mould cleaning hacks online ranging from spraying it with vinegar to wiping it down with alcohol, you must not attempt mould remediation yourself.

Firstly, you might not remove all the mould and any traces can quickly grow back. You could even make it worse, like “washing” the mould which just spreads it around the area, or not thoroughly drying the window sill after cleaning which may encourage new growth.

Mould specialists, on the other hand, know how to safely remove all traces of the mould, including how to tackle growth in difficult to reach areas, like on the ceiling or vents. They can even diagnose the cause of your problem and advise on how to prevent the mould returning.

Find ways to prevent the mould growing back

There are lots of things you can do to stop mould growing in your home, including keeping humidity levels below 50%, drying clothes outdoors, and fixing leaks in your home as soon as possible. Here are some specific ways to prevent mould on your windows:

• Regularly open windows to ventilate the property and stop condensation building up
• Keep the window vent open to let in fresh air
• Use extractor fans or open windows when cooking or washing
• Don’t keep houseplants near windows as they can release moisture
• Replace single glazing windows with double glazing to reduce the likelihood of condensation forming

Contact our team today

Our technicians can be on site to eliminate all the mould in a matter of hours in an emergency. Every service comes with a lifetime guarantee* so if the mould returns, our expert technicians will remove it free of charge.

Book your mould removal service today by giving our friendly team a call on 0208 066 0360 or sending an email to enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk.

*subject to advisories