Poor ventilation is one of the main causes of mold, and this problem can be easily solved with a few daily steps. Once you notice mold growing in your home, you should hire mold removal professionals to get rid of it.
Mold removal services are just one of the many industrial cleaning services we offer here at First Cleaning Services. Our technicians identify the source of the mold and effectively eliminate it to stop its growth and remove it.
Read on to learn more about how poor ventilation causes mold and what signs to look out for.
Does poor ventilation cause mould?
Mold is a fungus that spreads by the reproduction of airborne spores, and it is these spores that are constantly present in many buildings. However, these mold spores often do not have the opportunity to grow due to air circulation.
When a home is well ventilated, the air with the mold spores circulates through the home and back out again. However, if your home is poorly ventilated or there is a lack of air circulation, mold spores settle on various surfaces.
Once settled, mold spores begin to thrive in warm, humid conditions. Areas such as bathrooms and kitchens that meet these conditions require adequate ventilation to prevent mold, which is why exhaust fans are needed.
What are the signs of poor ventilation?
The best way to tell if your home is poorly ventilated is by smell alone. Sometimes, strong odors may linger longer than usual, or a mild musty odor may build up in rooms. However, there are other ways to determine if your home is poorly ventilated:
Discoloured walls, tiles, and grout
Consistently warm or hot rooms
Rust staining on pipework
Condensation on windows and mirrors
Accumulation of dust
High humidity levels
Health risks of poor ventilation
Mold is just one of the many consequences of poor ventilation. It can also put you at risk for serious health problems. Polluted air is more common than ever, and has been shown to have serious consequences for children and vulnerable individuals.
CO2, dust particles, organisms, and moisture combine in the air and remain in a space without proper ventilation. These elements can damage the body over long periods of time, leading to symptoms and diseases such as:
Sore throat
Fatigue
Headaches
Drowsiness
Shortness of breath
Chronic colds
Respiratory infections
Asthma
Cardiovascular disease
Cancer
Health risks of mould
Mold may not initially seem to affect your health because the effects of mold on an individual can be subtle and require chronic exposure to cause harm.
Individuals who live with large amounts of mold will breathe in mold spores daily, putting them at risk for long-term illnesses.
Some people are more sensitive to mold than others, such as those with mold allergies, asthma, or weakened immune systems. Those who are allergic or chronically exposed to mold may experience symptoms such as:
Coughing
Stuffy nose
Irritated eyes
Sore throat
Headaches
Black mold is dangerous because of the health consequences it can cause. Mold poisoning is a disease that causes severe illness and requires immediate medical attention. With mold poisoning, you may experience:
Respiratory tract infections
Airflow obstruction
Mucositis
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Pulmonary haemorrhage
Brain inflammation
Cancer
How to improve ventilation in your home
One easy way to increase circulation throughout your home is to open doors and windows where possible and let fresh air in. Some other ways to improve ventilation around your home include:
Fitting extraction fans in the bathroom and kitchen
Using a dehumidifier
Installing an air conditioning unit
Building a ventilation system on the property
Using an air purifier
Using standing fans in affected rooms
Improving the ventilation in your home removes a critical factor that mold spores need to start growing. It can also reduce humidity levels. By maintaining a consistent level of ventilation in your home, you can keep mold at bay.
What to do if you see mould in your home
If you see mold in your home, it’s important to know that regular cleaning products or home remedies won’t completely kill mold. While mold removal products and vinegar can clean surface mold, the spores will still be there.
Mold is more than just a surface problem because it adheres to porous surfaces and stays there even though the surface growth has died. Trying to clean it yourself can also expose you to harmful chemicals in cleaning products or worsen the mold and spread more spores.
While you can’t kill mold without professional mold removal services, you can slow its growth and prevent its spread by:
Improving ventilation
Closing bathroom and kitchen doors when in use
Drying clothes outside
Wiping down condensation when you see it
Keeping your home clean
Maintaining pipework
Cleaning gutters often
Contacting a mould removal company
Get in touch
If you’re struggling to keep mold out of your home, our technicians offer comprehensive mold removal services that can help remove mold at the source. We can provide you with high-quality cleaning services and professional advice to help prevent mold from returning.
Our lifetime guarantee* guarantees complete protection against mold. If you’d like to know more, get in touch on 052 252 3500 or info@firstcleanuae.com where our team is available 24/7, 365 days a year, across the country.
