How to spot signs of mould before you buy

Mould is an unwelcome guest in any home. It is important to be able to identify it, as it can harm both your home and your health. Mould thrives in damp conditions and can often be found in bathrooms, kitchens or basements. Spotting the signs early can help you deal with the problem quickly.

One of the most common signs of mould is discoloured patches on the walls or ceiling. These patches can vary in colour from black to green or even yellow. They often appear as uneven spots that do not immediately look like ordinary dirt.

Another indicator is a persistent musty smell. This smell is typically strongest in rooms without proper ventilation or in places where moisture has built up over time.

You may also notice wallpaper bulging or paint peeling for no obvious reason. This happens because moisture behind the surface makes the materials come loose.

What does mould look like on a wall?

When you check your walls for signs of mould, there are several characteristic features to look out for:

• Discoloured patches: Mould can show up as black, green or grey patches. These uneven areas do not look like ordinary dirt and can often appear damp.
• Peeling wallpaper: If the wallpaper starts coming away from the wall for no obvious reason, it may be due to moisture trapped behind it.
• Bubbles in the paint: Paint can form bubbles or blisters when it is exposed to constant moisture. This is a clear warning sign of potential mould problems.

Pay extra attention to areas near water pipes or places where there has been water damage in the past. This is where the risk of mould developing is particularly high.

How do you test for mould?

Finding out whether there is mould can seem like a challenge. Fortunately, there are several ways to test for it.

You can choose between professional services and do-it-yourself (DIY) methods. Here we go through both options.

Professional services:

Professional inspections often give the most accurate results. An expert will typically do the following:

1. Visual inspection: They check known problem areas such as bathrooms and basements.
2. Sampling: Samples of the air or of surfaces are taken to analyse whether any mould is present.
3. Laboratory testing: The samples are sent to a laboratory for detailed analysis, which determines the type and amount of mould.

The advantages of this method include high accuracy and professional advice on removal. The drawback can be the price, as professional services often require a significant investment.

DIY methods:

If you prefer a simple approach, you can test for mould yourself with kits from DIY stores:

1. Start with a visual inspection: Look for signs such as discoloured patches or a musty smell in the damp areas of your home.
2. Use a test kit: Test kits typically contain plates for collecting samples from suspect areas, or for air samples. When you buy a test kit, it usually comes with instructions showing you how to collect samples correctly from suspect areas. These may be surface samples from walls or air samples, depending on what the kit offers.
3. Wait for the result: Some kits let you see the growth directly on the plate over a few days; others have to be sent to a laboratory, as with professional testing. You should, however, be aware of how accurate the results are. Although DIY kits can give an indication of whether mould is present, they often lack the precision and in-depth analysis that professional laboratory tests offer.

The advantage of the DIY method is its low cost and convenience, but it takes a little more time and relies on your own judgement when analysing the results.

The risks of living with mould

Having mould in your home can lead to a range of health and structural problems. Mould spores can harm both your quality of life and your home.

If you live with mould, you may experience allergic reactions such as itchy eyes, sneezing or skin irritation. These symptoms are particularly common in people who already have allergies or asthma. Children and older people are also more vulnerable to these reactions.

Breathing difficulties are another problem. When you breathe in mould spores from the air, they can irritate your airways. This often leads to coughing and even more serious lung problems.

Beyond the health risks, mould can cause significant damage to the structure of a house. The damp that encourages mould growth can weaken building materials over time, resulting in rotten timber beams or crumbling plasterboard.

Situations like these show how important it is to deal with damp and mould problems quickly, to protect both your health and your home.

Can mould affect your lungs?

Mould can have a significant impact on your lungs and your respiratory system in general. Breathing in air that contains mould spores can irritate your airways.

The most common symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath and worsening asthma in people who already have it. Children and older people are particularly susceptible to these problems, as their immune systems are often more vulnerable.

If anyone in your household starts to experience these symptoms for no obvious reason, it could be a sign of hidden mould in the home. It is especially important to watch out for persistent or unexplained health problems.

To protect your lung health, make sure your home is well ventilated. Regular cleaning and checks of damp areas such as bathrooms and basements can also help minimise the risk of mould growth.

You should also consider using dehumidifiers or ventilation systems to reduce the humidity in the air, which makes the environment less favourable for mould.

How to prevent mould in your home

Keeping your home free of mould takes a few simple but effective strategies. Here are some practical tips for reducing the risk:

Ventilation:

• Make sure air circulates well by opening windows and doors regularly.
• Use extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens, where humidity is often high.

Controlling indoor humidity:

• Keep an eye on the humidity levels in your home with a hygrometer. Ideally, they should be below 60%.
• Install dehumidifiers in areas prone to high humidity, such as basements.

Repairing water leaks:

• Check pipes and the roof regularly for signs of leaks or cracks.
• Repair any water leaks straight away to prevent a build-up of moisture that can lead to mould growth.

These simple steps can help you maintain a healthy indoor climate. By taking proactive steps against mould, you not only reduce the risk of health problems but also protect your home effectively.

Can you remove mould yourself?

If you are faced with mould in your home, it can be tempting to take matters into your own hands. There are several DIY methods that many homeowners choose to try.

Baking powder: A popular solution is to use baking powder. Mix a teaspoon of baking powder with water in a spray bottle and spray it on the affected areas. The baking powder helps kill the fungus and neutralise the smell.

Vinegar: White vinegar can also be effective. Pour undiluted vinegar into a spray bottle and spray it directly onto the mould patches. Leave the vinegar on for at least an hour before cleaning.

Commercial products: There are also cleaning products on the market made specifically for removing mould. They are designed to break down fungal growth quickly, but always remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

Although these methods may seem appealing, there are also drawbacks to tackling the problem yourself:

• Risk of incomplete removal: If not all the spores are removed, the mould can come back.
• Health risks: Handling mould carelessly can lead to health problems. Always wear gloves and a mask for protection.

In some cases, professional help may be necessary:

• More extensive problems: If the mould has spread or covers large areas, you should consider bringing in professionals. They have the equipment and expertise for a thorough clean-up.

Choosing between DIY solutions and professionals often depends on the extent of the problem and your own experience with this kind of job.

Mildew vs. mould: what’s the difference?

Telling mildew and mould apart can be confusing, but there are some clear differences. Mildew is often a type of fungus that grows on surfaces such as food or organic materials in the home, like carpets or textiles. It typically appears as white, grey or green patches and has a soft texture.

Mould, on the other hand, penetrates deeper into the materials it grows on. It is often found on walls, ceilings and other structural elements of the home, especially where there are damp problems. Mould varies in colour from black to green and can look fuzzier than mildew.

Here is a brief overview of the differences:

Feature	Mildew	Mould
Colour	White, grey, green	Black, green, yellow
Texture	Soft	Fuzzy
Location	Food, textiles	Walls, ceilings
Effect on the home	Surface damage	Structural damage
Health impact	Often mild irritation	Potentially serious

Knowing the difference between these two types of fungus helps you deal with them better in your home. It safeguards both your own health and that of your nearest and dearest, as well as your house.