Getting Rid of Black Mould - Advice for Scottish homes

Black mould is a fairly common occurrence in properties across Scotland - especially in winter. It is caused by condensation, and can lead to staining and damage to wallpaper, paint, wall surfaces, window frames, furniture and clothing. Mould can be green, grey, pink, yellow or indeed white, depending on the species, but they all have a similar root cause and require the same treatment.

For mould to form there needs to be organic material, a fungal spore and moisture. During winter homes often have excessive moisture in the internal atmosphere, creating perfect conditions for mould growth. This is because ventilation is often reduced as we try to prevent heat escaping.

For isolated patches of mould growth you will be able to clean this yourself, however if the problem persists or gets worse, you may require a professional damp and timber survey to understand the ventilation dynamics of your property, and why there is so much excess moisture in the internal atmosphere. You may need to increase ventilation or carry out improvements to the thermal efficacy in your home or property. A surveyor can provide you with advice for this.

If you start to notice mould forming on walls or window frames in your property you can simply wipe away the mould with a cloth and a solution of bleach and water or a commercial product designed for this purpose. Always read label directions before use. You should always wear protective gear and ensure ventilation in the area.

But bear in mind that simply wiping away surface mould will not remove the long-term issue, as it will likely return if the underlying moisture production problem isn’t resolved.

Because mould spores form on wet surfaces, you should try your best to make sure the walls are dried through ventilation or by wiping them down once the mould has been removed. Wring the cloth out in a sink to remove as much water as possible, otherwise this will just evaporate off back into the room.

Condensation and mould growth will form on cold walls or where there is little ventilation, like behind cupboards, large furniture or even the headboard on your bed. Move furniture away from the walls to increase air circulation.

Think about where the moisture in your home is being created. If the problem is near a bathroom or kitchen, try and close the door when washing or cooking to prevent moisture reaching these areas. Always use extractor fans or open windows to let the trapped moisture escape.

For a permanent solution you may require anti-condensation paint or thermal plastering to increase the thermal efficiency of the wall, and therefore preventing a cold spot on which mould can form. You may also require increases to ventilation through new extractor fans or even positive input ventilation (PIV) units.

Mould can often form on walls or the ceiling in bedrooms, this is because throughout the night you produce warm moist air through breathing, which can condense on cold surfaces.
If you have an ensuite make sure to use the extractor fan when showering and close the door for ten minutes afterwards with the fan on so excess moisture can escape.

• Wipe down wet walls and windows and rinse the cloth out into the sink, this will prevent the moisture from returning.
• Try not to dry clothes on bedroom radiators, instead dry them in the bathroom with the extractor fan on, or a window open, with the door closed.
• If your windows have trickle vents make sure to leave them open all year round, this will let moisture escape so it does not condense on cold surfaces.
• If you notice mould growth on ceilings there may be a lack of insulation in the roof space. Check these areas to make sure insulation levels are up to recommended standards of 270mm. If there is missing insulation, mould patterns will often have straight lines that correspond to joists or missing panels of insulation.

Bathrooms are one of the most common places to find mould. Even in warmer months you may notice condensation forming on mirrors and tiles after taking a shower. A lot of moisture is created, so these rooms need to be ventilated correctly, so it does not disperse around your home.

Make sure you always use extractor fans and leave them running afterwards, for at least ten minutes. Always keep bathroom doors shut so the moisture does not escape.

If the bathroom walls are external, you can look at anti condensation paints to help improve the thermal efficiency of the room. Open windows where possible, although this may be difficult during Scottish winters.

Sealants can be cleaned and wiped down with a mix of bleach and water or commercially available products. If the mould has been there for a long period of time it may have cosmetically damaged the sealant and it could need replacing.

Make sure you continue to wipe away water that is sitting around the bath or base of the shower to prevent moisture build up. If you have a shower curtain make sure this is spread out to help them dry. Unfortunately, all mould requires to germinate is a damp surface for around six hours, so it is very easy for this to happen when water is splashed around a bathroom and sits on surfaces.

If you have only just noticed signs of mould in your home in isolated areas, a few small changes may prevent the issue from returning. This could be as simple as increasing ventilation or keeping surfaces dry.

If however you notice the problem returning, and there is no improvement over time, you may require professional advice from a condensation specialist.

If mould growth keeps returning to your property, you may require treatments to address the root cause of the problem. A damp and timber survey should be carried out to fully understand what is causing the imbalance, and if required will provide recommendations for increased ventilation and thermal improvements.

For isolated areas of condensation caused by cold bridging, anti-condensation paints are used to create a thermal barrier between a cold surface and humid air. These paints use glass beads which creates the barrier, therefore air is insulated against the colder wall or ceiling surface, condensation is controlled and mould growth is prevented.

For more extreme cases you may require thermal plastering, which is used to remove cold spots where condensation can occur.

One of the main solutions for condensation is to increase airflow and ventilation. PIV units work by increasing the air quality within a property by removing stale humid air and replacing it with fresh, filtered air. If you have a severe mould problem in your home this could be a long term solution.

When you’re worried about a mould problem in your home, you want to use a company with experienced and specialist surveyors - with the right training and knowledge to reach the proper diagnosis.