Glen Forsyth
21 December 2022
If there’s one thing that you don’t want invading your home, it’s mould. Although at first, a few mould spots might not seem like a big deal, it can have a serious impact on your house and your family’s health. We investigate the different types of mould, how they arrive in our homes and what we can do to treat and prevent a mould problem.
There are quite a few different types of mould, and the majority start growing in your house when surfaces are exposed to moisture, and not treated or maintained effectively. Here’s a list of the ten most common types of mould and how you can spot them.
Alternaria
This type of mould is the most common, and is found inside and outside of the house; normally found in damp and/or dark areas. It’s identified by its black/dark brown appearance.
Aureobasidium
Aureobasidium is characterised by its pink and black spots, and is most commonly found on wood, painted surfaces, culk, windows and drywall.
Chaetomium
This type of mould isn’t known by its looks, but rather its smell. People identify it’s presence when they notice their house has a musty smell to it. Chaetomium is normally found in drywall.
Cladosporium
Cladosporium is found in both warm and cool temperatures, and is common on fabrics and hardwood floors.
Fusarium
This mould thrives in a cold and wet environment, and can be found in carpets and other fabrics.
Penicillium
Watch out for Penicillium! It’s known for spreading quickly throughout your home and can be found almost anywhere. This mould is spotted by its bluish green colour, but can sometimes be a bit darker.
Stachybotrys Chartarum
You’ve most likely heard of this one before, but it’s probably been referred to as black or toxic mould. This one is quite serious and can be identified by a musty smell, and of course, its ominous dark colour.
Serpula Lacrymans
This mould only shows up on wooden surfaces and can be identified by its yellow hue.
Trichoderma
Trichoderma is normally found in damp spaces, but specifically damp carpeting.
Ulocladium
Ulocladium is common after a flood, so make sure to keep a lookout for it if you have experienced flooding in your area! This one can also show up just about anywhere.
With so many different types of moulds, it can be hard to keep on top of them! But, a common factor is that most mould is caused by untreated moisture in certain areas, therefore it is moisture build up that you should try to prevent.
Mould and the Climate
One of the most important things to remember is that mould loves to attach itself and grow on dust and dirt particles fast! Keeping your home clean and dust-free on a regular basis can play a huge part in preventing mould from forming. Wiping down surfaces and thoroughly cleaning both hardwood and carpeted floors can be very effective.
Another important thing to pay attention to is your ceiling. Although this won’t be the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of caring for your home, it’s an important one! Keeping water out of your ceiling keeps the area dry and mould free. If you ever see any evidence of water or a leak, take care of it right away! Not only could mould be a problem, but water in the ceiling can damage and weaken wood and drywall.
Water can enter the ceiling cavity via your gutters, particularly if they’re blocked or full of leaves, Water has nowhere to go and may trickle back up into your roof, which is a surefire recipe for mould.
Keeping pests out of your ceiling is very important too. Quite often bugs and insects are in yoru home because of mould and moisture. Certain critters feed off of it, so be on the look-out for bugs; they could be pointing to a bigger problem.
The mess that rats, birds and possums love to make in your ceiling cavity is a lovely breeding ground for mould spores – keep pests and vermin out of your home at all costs.
How Can Mould Damage Our Health?
Aside from being damaging to your home, mould is also very damaging to your health. While mould isn’t good for anyone, it’s particularly dangerous for people who suffer from asthma and/or allergies. It can cause more breathing issues and allergic reactions.
Black or toxic mould is extremely serious. It can cause sinus infections, fatigue, depression, and serious respiratory issues like asthma and asthma attacks. While your home is important, you and your families health is the number one reason to prevent mould, and treat it swiftly as soon as you find it. Once you’ve spotted mould, chances are there’s a lot more present that you can’t see.
How to Clean Mould Affected Areas?
Unfortunately once some types of mould have invaded certain surfaces, such as fabrics and soft woods, they can be very difficult to remove.
In cases where nasty black mould has grown in ceiling cavities and or in carpets and walls a professional mould remediation treatment might be required to kill it off and prevent it from rapidly spreading. Carpets and lounge fabrics should be professionally steam cleaned regularly.
Surface mould can be removed using vinegar or bleach based solutions depending on the nature of the area you’re cleaning. Of course, like most things, the best cure of mould is prevention.
How can you prevent pests and moisture in the ceiling?
You may be wondering what you can do to prevent mould besides keeping your house clean? Taking care of your gutters is a great place to start. Water can overflow and make its way into your ceiling, causing damp ceilings and possibly the start of mould.
This can be taken care of by regularly checking your gutters and installing our gutter protection system. It keeps leaves, pests, and other harmful objects out of your gutters so they can work properly and keep your home running smoothly, instead of damaging it.
