Should I Clean Black Mould Myself?

Mould comes in many forms, and unfortunately, citizens of the UK have came across one of its many forms at least once in their life. Mould should be cleaned and removed immediately wherever it is found, but should anyone clean it? Or should professionals do it?

In this blog we will be answering the question ‘Should I clean black mould myself?’

To prevent mould, fresh air should constantly be introduced into your dwelling daily, as it helps to regulate temperature and reduce condensation. Introducing fresh air can be as simple as having a ventilation routine, or installing extractors or PIV systems. Almost all of this is facilitated by ducting.

I-Sells is here to provide the answers you need whilst also supplying you with all the information you need to combat mould and have a well-ventilated home.

What is black mould?

Mould, otherwise known as damp, is a fungus that grows on wet surfaces. Mould comes in a variety of colours: Black, Green, Brown, Grey and White. It can be difficult to identify mould by colour as it can occur in many shades. Some of the most common mould strains in the home are:

Black Mould – Also called Stachybotrys chartarum, Black mould is commonly found in bathrooms and wet rooms but can also occur on cold exterior walls in habitable rooms such as the bedroom or living room.
Cladosporium – Commonly found in bathrooms, under sinks, and around faucets but it can grow on surfaces like carpets, furniture, walls, and floors.

Mould reproduces from tiny spores. The spores float through the air and deposit on the surfaces. Under adequate temperature, moisture, and nutrient conditions, the spores can form new mould colonies.

If you have found mould in your home, you need to assess if this is your landlord’s responsibility (for example it could be from a leaking roof that needs repairing). Or if the dampness is caused by improper ventilation. To assess your options, click here.

Is mould the same as fungus?

Mould and fungus seem incredibly similar, they can grow in the same places as they thrive off the same environments, however, there is a distinction between the two. Mould has the capability to emit toxic chemicals whilst this isn’t the case for fungus, the release of their spores are different mould grows faster than fungus.

Should I clean black mould myself?

It is strongly recommended to hire professionals to clean black mould, as they will have all the right equipment and precautions needed as standard. However, we understand not all of our readers may have access to such services.

If this is the case, you can clean black mould yourself, but you must follow these rules before attempting it, for the sake of your health.

Wear a mask, gloves and eye protection
If possible, purchase disposable coveralls, if not, wear old clothes that cover your arms and legs and head, and dispose of them after cleaning the mould.
Choose your method of removal, using a surface cleaner, or using a natural remedy like vinegar.

I cleaned the mould but it came back

In this instance, there is an issue in the area in which the mould is growing, this issue is causing a level of condensation which is enough for mould to grow. You could have cracks in the wall that is letting air in, you may have a pipe that is leaking behind or above/below the wall, or your windows may not be properly insulated.

Unless you deal with the issue that is causing the environment for the mould to thrive, it will keep coming back, no matter how many products you use on it.

Signs of mould exposure

Mould can severely affect your immune and respiratory system, as the spores are easily breathable and not obvious to see through the human eye. Having a mould allergy will result in you displaying the following symptoms when exposed to mould.

Dry, scaly skin
Nasal congestion
A cough
Watery eyes
A weakened immune system

Everyone’s symptoms may vary, but if you’re in an environment with mould and experience these symptoms, try your best to remove the mould as soon as possible.

Can any house develop mould?

Yes, any house, or building has the potential to develop mould if the area is left without any ventilation treatment and sealing of cracks and holes.

Are mould cleaning companies worth it?

Absolutely, companies that specialise in the removal and prevention of mould are worth their weight in gold. Understandably, different companies will have their own protocols, but for the most part, here is what you can expect when consulting a mould-cleaning firm.

They will assess the area or home for mould
They will find the causes of the mould
They will treat the mould

Sometimes the treatment of mould may require removal or replacement of certain parts of the home, in this instance, most mould removal companies can only clean the mould, the removal or replacement of the area in question must be done by qualified builders if required. If that is the case, the mould cleaning company may have some helpful contacts.

Can I prevent mould?

Yes, fortunately, with a little bit of work you can secure your home as best as possible from mould, one of these methods is making sure your ventilation is working efficiently or investing in new extractor fans.

Another method is by being conscious of humidity in a room, you can use a hygrometer to measure the moisture in a room, but opening a window when having a hot bath or shower, or opening a window/ using an extractor fan when cooking hot meals can greatly aid in the prevention of mould.

Again, we understand not all of our readers may have the same access to ventilation systems, but there is a natural alternative, which comes in the form of a ventilation routine.

A simple ventilation routine

Ventilation routines will vary depending on the building in question, as well as the time of year and the weather, but ventilation routines are as simple as this:

Create a clear passage for air in your home by opening doors to room (propping them open if needed) and simply open the windows in your home. It doesn’t have to be every window, but just enough for you to feel the stream of air.
If you are in an apartment, allow the breeze to ventilate the apartment for around 20 minutes, if you are in a house, open your upstairs windows, and again allow the breeze to travel through the home for at least 20 minutes.

How does a ventilation routine stop mould?

As we established, some mould occurs due to leaks or other structural issues, but for those cases of humid homes, having a ventilation routine regulates the temperature of your home, hindering any potential warm and humid areas that mould would have otherwise grown on.

Eliminate black mould now

We at I-Sells endeavour to make sure our customers have all the information they need before choosing to invest in our mould solutions. Be sure to visit our blog page to gain knowledge on the wide array of factors and issues surrounding ventilation, mould, condensation, and much more.

We hope to have answered the question ‘Should I clean black mould myself?’’

We understand you may have more questions, Do not hesitate to contact us for more information with regard to whatever you need our help with. If you’d like to send us an email, click here. For other contact options, see below:

Call us on 020 8463 9696

Visit us at our showroom:

*OPENING TIMES*

Monday – Friday: 8:00 am to 5:30 pm

Saturday: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Sunday: Closed

15 St John’s Parade

Sidcup, Kent

DA14 6ES

United Kingdom