After the recent rain and flooding (and the promise of more to come thanks to La Nina), the topic of Mould is on everyone's lips and all over social media and is distressing to the people trying to rid it from their homes.
With Winter and the cooler temperatures approaching, I thought it would be a good idea to look at the issues facing us when Mould enters our homes.
So what is Mould?
Are there different types of Mould?
Where does it come from?
What is the cause?
Can we consume it?
What dangers does it possess to all that come into contact with it?
How do we treat it?
Is prevention better than cure?
How can we prevent Mould in our homes?
What Is Mould?
Mould is a fungus, plain and simple. Mould spores are everywhere particularly anywhere that has moisture and is warm. The spores which are airborne can invade many surfaces both indoors and outdoors.
It is an important part of our ecosystem and yet can be a nasty problem often ruining the surface that it lands on. Mould is heterotrophic, which means it cannot make its own food. It lives on plant and animal matter. Mould must gain nutrients from other organic substances. The way Mould does this is by secreting enzymes that break down the food substance into smaller organic molecules that can then be absorbed. Much like this mushy orange image below.
Mould is not always easily detected. It can look like fuzz, a stain, smudge or even a discoloration.
Types Of Mould
The most common types of Mould are black, green or white. However, Mould can be many colours ranging from grey to orange to brown.
There are 12 common varieties of Mould that can present in the home:
1. ACREMONIUM
Looking like a fine powder it is a carcinogenic mould and typically grows anywhere there is condensation like humidifiers, around windows and air conditioning systems.
2. ALTERNARIA
It is the most common form of Mould in the world that causes allergies. It is also the most common Mould to appear after water damage to the home.
3. ASPERGILLUS
The most common form of Mould found in the home. It is also responsible for many respiratory allergies. Some forms of Aspergillus can also be carcinogenic.
4. AUREOBASIDIUM
Typically it grows behind wallpaper, on paint and on wood. Commonly responsible for allergies of the eye, skin and nails. One requires gloves to clean this nasty one or dermatitis can result.
5. CHAETOMIUM
Commonly found in water damaged homes, it can be found in leaking rooves, rising damp on walls and is easily detected by a musty odour. Again it is responsible for skin and nail infections and is dangerous to anyone with an immune system that is already compromised.
6. CLADOSPORIUM
This one can grow in both warm and cold conditions and is usually found in fabrics, carpets and upholstery. It's responsible for allergies to the eyes, nose, throat and skin, typically skin rashes, asthma, lung infections and sinusitis.
7. FUSARIUM
Colder temperatures do not bother this one. Found in water damaged homes it will grow in fabrics like carpets, materials and wallpaper. It causes allergies like sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes and dermatitis. It can also cause life threatening illnesses.
8. MUCOR
It is found anywhere there is moisture and condensation. Responsible for allergies are that are respiratory like asthma and can even infect the eyes and nose.
9. PENICILLIN
Again found in water damaged homes it is easy to recognise by it's blue/green colour. Found in carpets, wallpaper, ducting and even mattresses.
As we know, it is also an important for the production of antibiotics and food processing. These spores can be airborne causing respiratory allergies, asthma and sinusitis.
10. STACHYBOTRYS
Also known as black Mould it thrives in damp, wet and humid areas of the home. Allergies include difficulty breathing, sinusitis, fatigue and many more and it is particularly dangerous to children.
11. TRICHODERMA
Found on wet/damp surfaces the enzyme it contains can destroy wood and paper products as well as fabrics which leads to rotting of the surface. Allergic reactions are respiratory and even liver infections.
12. ULOCLADIUM
Is a black Mould found in kitchens, bathrooms, windows and anywhere there is condensation. Allergic reactions are difficulty breathing, asthma, hay fever and skin infections.
Causes Of Mould
There are 4 main causes of Mould: moisture, food, the correct temperature and the spores themselves.
Water damage to the home due to floods and rain through broken roof tiles.
Any leaking pipes or ducting, and leaking windows also causes Mould.
Areas of condensation due to humidifiers and in bathrooms.
Using unflued gas heaters.
Increased condensation cause by different seasons like Winter when we tend to experience more rain and we heat our homes inside, it's common to have Mould around windows and window furnishings.
Older homes and even more modern homes which have been constructed to reduce ventilation by insulating roof cavities and are more like sealed boxes. No one opens a window in Winter due to the high cost of heating the home.
Using chemicals on your surfaces will damage grout and silicone thereby allowing the areas to remain wet which is an open invitation to Mould.
Mould In Food
Penicillin is typically used in cheese. Some of my favourites are Stilton, Gorgonzola and Brie!
Certain Moulds are used to make cheese, soy sauce, vinegar and even Sake and peanut butter. Some of the highest levels of Moulds can be found in nuts.
In normal healthy people ingesting small amounts of Mould is not harmful.
The Dangers Surrounding Mould
Anyone with a compromised immune system, sufferers of asthma and other respiratory illnesses are more likely to be affected by Mould.
Children, seniors and pregnant women are more susceptible. Mould can often be found in children's car seats, capsules and strollers. Also in dark and airless areas like wardrobes.
Common reactions include breathing difficulties, skin rashes, dermatitis, headaches, sinusitis, itchy eyes, hay fever like symptoms and sore throats.
Chronic exposure to Mould can cause Pulmonary disease, Liver and Kidney disease, Heart disease, Blood disease, and toxicity to the Nervous System and Immune System.
As already mentioned above Mould can be toxic and carcinogenic.
How Do We Treat It?
Finding the location of the source of the moisture is the first step.
Fixing leaks: leaky windows, leaking pipes and repairing roof tiles will prevent the surface from remaining wet with moisture or condensation.
Improving ventilation by opening a window or installing an exhaust fan.
Only then can we get into tackling the actual Mould by wiping the surface with a damp cloth, with detergent or vinegar, even a mild alcohol solution will help. Once cleaned, dry the surface thoroughly.
A damp microfibre cloth gently wiping the surface and then drying with another microfibre cloth is effective.
Essential oils like Clove and Thieves are helpful.
It's important to note that commercially available Mould treatments found on the grocery shelves can bleach the Mould white, but may not remove the Mould.
Direct sunlight is also beneficial.
Renovating bathrooms, kitchens and laundries will remove it.
Professionally dry cleaning carpets and soft furnishings or replacing them.
And finally, you may need professional help for the safety of you and your family!
Prevention Is Better Than The Cure
Reducing dampness is key to Mould prevention.
Using exhaust fans, opening windows, limiting the use of humidifiers, fish tanks, indoor plants and ensuring gas heaters are flued.
Homes in flood prone areas, if time permits, moving furniture upstairs (where possible) or to higher ground.
Repairing any water leaks as soon as they are detected.
Ensuring roof tiles are in good condition with no cracks and that the ridge capping is secure.
Making sure sub floor areas are well ventilated or have a waterproof barrier and that weep holes are clear. Check around your home to see if any garden beds are covering the weep holes.
Always remove the Mould as soon as you find it!
In conclusion prevention is better than the cure but not always possible.
It saddens me greatly to think of people in flood prone areas. What they have lost personally, financially and in some cases, lives are lost.
The loss of personal items, clothing and furniture is devastating and in the aftermath if they have a home to go back to, then they have Mould to deal with.
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