Common misconceptions about mould and damp

There is plenty of information on the Internet nowadays but how do you know what is reliable? When anyone can post information about mould and damp how can you know what is true and what isn't?
Well in this blog I thought I would tackle a few of the common misconceptions about mould and damp used by businesses to sell their products or services, but will not stop your mould or damp problem.
Why listen to me? well Damp Detectives has over 20 years of experience in dealing with mould and damp and we have had an almost 100% success rate over the last 3 months. some of these have had recurring damp problems that others have not been able to solve, so we must be doing something right. If you are lucky enough to live in the South West why not call us for a survey

1. Firstly one of the most common misconceptions, mould will only grow on wet or rotten surfaces. This is false! there are many complex reasons why mould and damp grow where they do, but they do not need a wet surface to grow on. Mould needs constant moisture and food to survive so the air could be providing the moisture, and the wall could be dry. Quite often in past surveys there has been damp elsewhere and this has given off enough moisture into the air to provide the conditions needed for mould to grow on a dry surface (less moisture is needed than you think). If you don't believe me look at this page from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification website http://www.certifiedcleaners.org/mold_remediation.shtml. I should point out the I.I.C.R.C. website is American and this website is directed more towards wooden construction houses. However, the point is still valid for a brick house as moisture being released elsewhere can provide the conditions for mould to grow. My point for raising this is that the problem is not always as obvious as "there's mould growing around my window therefore the window is the problem". You should always pick your surveyors carefully as many of the free surveys are provided by firms that have an interest in selling a particular product or service and will look for a reason to sell you this. Therefore look for an independent surveyor I.e. one that only does surveys. They will most likely charge for these but at least you can be sure they will give you an honest opinion of what needs to be done.

2. Mould doesn't grow on painted walls. Again this is false. The main source behind this theory is that by having the painted wall there is no food source on the wall. Well this is correct when you have just painted it and you have cleaned the brushes. BUT as you live in your home you will add the food source to the wall. Let me explain, if you are cooking and for example frying some food, the fats in the oils will evaporate in small amounts and be carried by the air. This will eventually reach a wall or ceiling or surface and deposit the oily residue. Not in noticeable amount I might add but enough to provide a food source for mould. This can even happen on a painted wall, so even if your wall is painted other sources will create a food source for mould.


3. Mould cleaning products permanently remove mould. NO, what is happening is that you are cleaning the surface thereby removing the food. If there is bleach in the product you will kill the mould but before it dies it releases millions of microscopic spores which you may breathe in to the detriment of your health. They don't write that in the small print on the tin. There may be an ingredient that prevents mould returning for a while but the main problem is the source of moisture so unless you deal with that then once the food has returned to the surface, the mould will start growing again. However mould doesn't just grow on surfaces it will also grow on food, clothes, books anything really. So you might prevent mould growing on your walls only to find it in your cupboard over your clothes. The only sure way to stop mould is to remove the source which is the moisture and that is what independent damp surveyors do. They identify the source and recommend a solution. Because we don't actually carry out building works or anything like that the survey is totally reliable and it also allows you to look around to find the best deal for any works that need to be done. There is no pressure to use that particular company.

4. You are the cause of mould and damp, open a window. This is one of the most common phrases I have heard recently, landlords have said that the tenants are causing the damp and that by opening as window, the problem will be resolved. This is highly unlikely and in most cases false. it is true that people release moisture into the air, through our breathing, by cooking, washing, drying clothes on the radiator etc. However, unless you never open your windows and do a lot of the above it is highly unlikely you are the cause. All of this may contribute but there is still likely to be a source elsewhere and some of our cases have been for very unlikely sources from hot water tanks with no lids to a water leak 10 years ago that never properly dried. The only way to tell is to get a damp survey, you can theorise all you like but at the end of the day it is much easier and less stressful and even cheaper to call a damp surveyor. But like I said above make sure that they are independent and try to avoid free surveys because they often have an ulterior motive.

If you rent from a landlord or housing agency and you are suspicious about the surveyor they have called you can always ask for a second opinion from a surveyor of your choice. If you really want to know how to remove your mould and damp call the Damp Detective! http://www.dampdetectives.co.uk/