Mould Removal Blog

What Are Moulds And How To Remove Them?

Are you suffering from recurring moulds Brisbane issues at your home? You should understand that moulds can be dangerous and can cause serious health complications. Particularly, moulds may be a threat to some people who are allergic to mould spores.

You can remove minor mould infestations yourself. However, larger infestations require a professional mould removal. Primarily, understanding how moulds spread can help you to identify and prevent their presence.. 

What Are Moulds?

Moulds are microscopic organisms found in your food, woods, and virtually everywhere. Before you undertake mould removal Brisbane, it is essential to understand the characteristics of the fungus. They are different species of mould, and all of them would require moisture to survive in the environment. When moulds come into contact with damp surfaces, they can spread rapidly inside your home. Hire a professional mould removal to check their growth, save money and prevent health issues. 

Why Do You Have Moulds?

Although there are five factors supporting mould growth, water is the most common one you can’t control. Excessive humidity is the main reason for water leakage, aided by poor ventilation in some homes. Like broken pipes leak from AC vents, some sources of moisture can also cause mould growth, so please don’t ignore the early signs of mould in your property. Explore measures for mould removal in Brisbane by contacting a specialist. 

Mould Spores 

Mould spores are hard to prevent because they are present everywhere. Also, spores are invisible and enter your home from outside. Spores spread through air movement and contaminated surfaces. While you can’t stop mould spores, you can prevent them with effective professional mould removal. 

Moisture 

Moulds can’t survive without moisture and depending on the combination of elements. Where there are humid conditions and damp areas, it’s a potential place for a mould nursery. Common causes of dampness are plumbing leaks, chilled lines in winter and high-humidity environments. Your bathroom is the best place for moulds to grow. When you notice small dark patches, take necessary precautions for mould removal. 

Food Sources 

Moulds require food to survive and spread, and that’s why you will find it across all organic materials. When it comes to your home, moulds Brisbane might be feeding off wood panels or dirt. The fungus can also survive in the air and carried by pollen. Removing moulds from food sources is practically impossible, and the trick lies in controlling the elements. 

Optimal Temperature

Moulds can’t survive without the correct temperature. You won’t find moulds in the arctic or the Sahara Desert because freezing will destroy mould and make it dormant. Unfortunately, your home temperature is ideal for moulds to grow and thrive. The only way you can stop mould at home is by controlling the moisture content. 

What To Do If You Spot Moulds At Home

Moulds create panic for any homeowner. They can make your family and pet sick. In general, they look really disgusting. Have you ever tried to sell a house with mould? We bet you wouldn’t be able to. So, if you think you have mould, you must have a plan to survive. 

Few Facts About Mould

There are few facts about moulds Brisbane which you must know:

  • It is tough to detect mould
  • Moulds can grow very quickly
  • Treatment for moulds is expensive and not covered under homeowners insurance
  • You should educate yourself on the harmful effects of mould
  • Children, old, and people with compromised immune systems are most likely to be affected by mould exposure. 

If you are thinking about DIY mould removal Brisbane, observe these disciplines:

  • Wear masks, eye protector, gloves before handling moulds 
  • Use rubber gloves, rags and scrub brush when you touch mouldy surface
  • Carry a plastic bag to throw your mould from your home
  • You can use white vinegar, peroxide and other tea oil to remove moulds

Remember that just because you have mould, it requires immediate attention. For small areas of mould patch, home remedies can help to remove the issues. But you may need to hire a professional mould removal team if the problem escalates beyond your control. 

Stay away from scams during the mould removal process. You will find many agencies without any knowledge or experience dealing with mould issues. Always ask for credentials like license and references before hiring mould removal companies. 

Moulds can be tricky and dangerous, and even if there is no water damage, it can result from something simple like a leaky window because moisture and mould are sweet friends. You should note that professionals don’t have the tools you do and detect moulds with infrared cameras and detector devices. 

How Does Mould Affect Your Health 

When studying the effects of mould, research shows that there are two ways to affect your health. One is upper respiratory tract infection which infects the nose, mouth, throat and sinus—the other area of disease in the lower respiratory tract, including the windpipe and lungs. 

If you have moulds Brisbane inside your home, you can experience these symptoms:

  • Nasal congestions, runny nose and throat irritation
  • Coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath
  • Allergies and rashes 
  • Presence of fungal infections in the body

When mould spreads, it produces mycotoxins. You can associate mycotoxins with a musty odour and can affect the eyes and URT. Damp environments are the chief culprit for mould infections. When detecting moulds, professionals assess the dampness of the property to narrow down mould distribution.  

Some people don’t realise that mould can affect the immune system, which shows these symptoms:

  • Changes in memory, retention and concentration
  • Metallic taste and vertigo
  • Increased thirst and urination
  • Joint pain and muscle cramps
  • Numbness in hands and feet
  • Anxiety, depression and anger
  • Change in thyroid hormones and unexpected weight gain 
  • Sensitivity to light

If you are suffering from chronic allergies like watery eyes, blocked nose or skin rashes, seek the support of a dermatologist and contact a qualified professional mould removal in your area. 

How To Remove Moulds in Brisbane?

Excess moisture is the biggest problem that hampers the process of mould removal in Brisbane. You would need to identify the cause of mould and follow the steps:

  • Wear rubber gloves, masks that cover your nose and mouth. Open windows, keep the doors closed to prevent the infestation from spreading.
  • Remove any soft cushions, like curtains, clothes and put them inside a plastic bag after cleaning them thoroughly.
  • Never spray on moulds because it causes them to disperse into the air. Instead, you should use warm water and wipe down the mouldy surface with a rag. 
  • Wipe the surface dry with a clean cloth, then vacuum the room to get rid of the residues 

How To Prevent Moulds?

You can prevent moulds Brisbane from entering your home through these simple methods:

  • Please don’t let steam settle inside your kitchen or rooms.
  • When cooking, open windows, turn on the exhaust fans and close doors.
  • Put lids on saucepans, and don’t leave kettles boiling.
  • Keep your room adequately warm to avoid condensation on walls.
  • Ventilate your rooms properly by opening your bedroom windows at least for a few hours
  • Leave enough space between furniture and walls to aid air circulation.
  • Replace shower curtains regularly. 
  • After removing moulds, repaint with good quality paint. Use antifungal paint colours, adding a layer of insulation. 

The Difference Between Mold And Mildew

It’s very crucial to understand the difference between mould and mildew during mould removal Brisbane. Fortunately, these two classes of fungi are different in appearance, making them easier to identify. While mildew looks white, mould can be green, red, and black. You can also specify the two by their smell. Mildew has a musty smell, while moulds have a more pungent odour. There are other differences like:

  • Mould burrows deep inside your walls and spreads rapidly. But mildew grows on the surface and loves to show up in damp areas like basements, bathroom walls, and anywhere with water damage. 
  • There are health risks for both mould and mildew. But the adverse effects of mould are much more severe. People are likely to suffer from sore throats or headaches with the presence of decay. But moulds especially, black ones, can cause severe respiratory damage, memory loss, mood changes, and body aches.
  • You can easily remove mildew by using household cleaners and over-the-counter products. But moulds Brisbane are more complicated to eradicate and will require expert help.  
  • Mildew usually grows in a balanced way and appears powdery or fluffy. You can quickly identify it as a yellowish fungus lying on the surface of moist areas. Moulds have a fuzzy appearance and appear as irregularly shaped spots in different colours. Mouldy surfaces begin to rot quicker than mildew ones. 
  • Common mildew types include powdery and downy. But the number of mould species is much more significant, but the more common ones have Aspergillus, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Stachybotrys chartarum. 
  • You can quickly identify mildew through a home test, but mould requires professional inspection by a certified agency. 

What Services Do Mould Professionals Offer?

Brisbane has different types of homes like free-standing Queenslanders, apartment buildings, and suburban housing. Moulds are quite common in the area and require professional mould removal for complete elimination. When you contact a mould specialist, look for the following services:

Mould Inspection

Most companies perform free inspections to identify hidden moulds from your property. The contractors use modern equipment like UV cameras to penetrate inside walls and locate moulds. Most mould inspections will include:

  • Identifying the underlying causes of mould growth 
  • Providing advice to remove moisture and stop the spread of mould
  • Analysing each room and identifying moulds 
  • Taking photographs of the affected areas detecting moisture 
  • Educating customers about the importance of mould removal

Mould companies will also supply you with an inspection report highlighting the damaged areas. 

Mould Remediation 

You can remove moulds Brisbane only through a complete cleanup process. Specialist mould removal agencies use two remediation levels. Level 1 is for small isolated cases of decay, while Level 2 covers an extensive area of your home. 

  • Remediation starts by repairing any existing water problems at your home, which will stop moulds from coming back.
  • Professionals close all doors and windows between the contaminated zone. They would also seal any seams with duct tape to stop the spread.
  • Next, the specialists will mist the affected areas to eliminate specks of dust.
  • Mould cleaners will remove all wet and porous materials and palace them inside a plastic bag.
  • The last step involves cleaning the affected areas and using a wire brush to clean all affected places. 

Monitor The Cleanup Process 

Mould professionals monitor the entire cleanup process to check whether the remediation has been successful. It means reviewing whether:

  • There are any signs of moulds 
  • Studying the moisture level and certifying that mould removal Brisbane has been successful. prevent

Reasons You Need Professional Mould Removal

Moulds spread incredibly fast and can cause structural damage to your home. You won’t even realise until the problem escalates to alarming proportions. Hiring a professional mould removal team would prevent moulds from spreading and eliminate them from your home. 

  • Specialists have the skills and experience to undertake any mould removal Brisbane. Mould experts undergo rigorous training and obtain certificates before joining work to determine any damage and deal with it. 
  • Although mould removal is expensive, hiring experts would reduce your long-term cost. Instead of doing it yourself and wasting money, hire specialists to do the job for you. 
  • Mould removal is risky and can cause sickness. You don’t have the necessary tools and technique to remove mould from your entire home. Hire experts who will carry out the job after taking the required precautions.
  • Mould can regrow even after remediation. Professionals will perform regular monitoring after removing moulds to prevent any future mould onslaught.
  • Without proper identification, it’s impossible to remove moulds. When you call professionals, they will identify the causes quickly, which helps them carry out effective remediation. 

While going the DIY route may sound more accessible, but there are times when you need to call professionals for checking moulds Brisbane. But before choosing your mould inspection team, check their licenses and certificates before handing over your home. 

Hire the Trusted and Reliable Mould Removal Brisbane

Without a doubt, hiring a professional mould removal is the best choice to eliminate and prevent moulds from coming back. The truth is that mould removal isn’t complicated if you have enough knowledge. So, consult mould removal experts and apply the techniques mentioned in this blog to enjoy a mould-free home. 

If you are in Brisbane, you would hear about the top-rated The Mould Group team that provides excellent services. You can visit their website for their contact information and enquiry form. So, you can call them today for your mould removal needs. Moreover, you can see their reviews on Google My Business