Mould in your home is not just visually unappealing, but can also trigger health issues.
There are many reasons why it may appear on the walls or ceilings, at Saverstreet we feel dealing with it is a complex task that requires not only treating the problem but also finding the core reason for it.
Why do walls and ceilings often become mouldy?
Mould appears in places with excess moisture. Inside the house, that’s usually the bathroom and kitchen, but it can also affect damp areas with low ventilation like the basement, attic or garage. The reasons to start forming on your home’s exterior could be quite a lot. Most often it’s a result of faulty drainage or pipework, cracked brickwork, and overly porous walls absorbing rainfall. Exterior problems can also show up on wooden fences and masonry.
It can be a serious problem in your household during the winter because the lower temperatures cause walls to accumulate excess moisture. The problem deepens if these areas also have poor ventilation. That’s why it is important to open the windows and let fresh air flow in whenever possible.
Difference between mould and mildew
Mould and mildew may seem similar, but in fact, they are different. Mildew usually looks powdery grey, white, or light brown, while the mould is black, dark green or red. Both of them have a distinctive odour.
Both mould and mildew can begin to grow on a damp surface within a few days. Mildew starts with small dots that spread on the surface. Mould can penetrate the surface and cause damage to your walls, ceilings, and other surfaces.
Damp-related health issues
Symptoms can vary from sneezing, dizziness, a runny nose, rashes, and red eyes to potentially worsening health issues like asthma attacks. Beyond impacting your health, damp can significantly affect the condition of your living space. It emits bad odours and can damage your property structure and furniture.
What is anti-mould paint?
Anti-mould paint contains biocides that target specific living organisms – in this case, mould and mildew fungi and prevent their growth.
These paints can work effectively for around five years, even in areas with high humidity. Over time, the biocides break down and become less effective, so the paint should be reapplied.
Note: these paints work on the issue but do not fix whatever’s causing the problem in the first place. It’s more about keeping that nasty black mould from spreading. Fixing the main cause remains the best way to stop black and other types of mould from coming back.
Does anti-mould paint actually work?
Anti-mould paint works if it’s applied correctly. It contains a strong fungicide designed to kill harmful fungi spores, thus preventing the growth. Still, as we’ve already established, if you don’t treat the reason for the issue, the problem will appear soon after.
If there is condensation, pipe leak, poor ventilation, cracked tile or damaged insulation, you should handle the problem first, then prepare the walls by using some fungicidal product such as this paint. Only this way you can be sure the paint will do the job of protecting your home from further its growth.
Most often, these types of paint are water-based and contain acrylic resin, which allows for better adhesion to a wide range of surfaces and moisture resistance. Also, they may contain latex to become waterproof. The addition of these ingredients also makes the product washable.
Is this paint safe?
While damp paints are generally non-toxic and safe to use, it is important to minimise exposure to the fumes during drying. Just to be on the safe side, you should keep the room well-ventilated until the paint is drying.
Nowadays, many brands offer anti-mould paint and you can even find organic products that are completely safe even for a child’s room. Make sure to read the label in detail, though, before buying the product you have in mind.
Still, if you have doubts about the exact components of the paint, just keep your four-legged friends and young children away from the newly painted room.
Where can I apply anti-mould paint?
The anti-mould paint is ideal for interior surfaces prone to high condensation levels. It can effectively be used in areas such as:
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Finished basements and cellars
- Bedrooms
- Living rooms
- Utility rooms
To be sure that the product is applied correctly, just follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on the label or on their specific website. Keep in mind that some prepping of the surface will most likely be needed to make it completely smooth. This may include removing old paint or wallpaper and cleaning any existing problem areas.
Are there surfaces where anti-mould paint cannot be applied?
Anti mould paint can be applied to a wide range of surfaces, but you should check the paint’s specifications. Also, these paints may not be suitable for older or listed buildings that have a lime plaster build-up and need to breathe.
If you can’t determine for yourself, consulting with a professional damp company or a specialist at a paint store is always an option.
Can you paint over anti-mould paint?
Yes, you can paint over damp paint but this may stop the active chemicals from working. If you want to add the damp effect to a specific shade or type of paint, you can use an damp paint additive. This product contains specialised biocides and gives the same properties as an damp paint. Once the coating is applied, the biocides start to work.
Damp paint is exceptionally durable and scrubbable, so you can clean your walls without fear of damaging it. If you see new damp patches, you can wash the affected surface with a mixture of household bleach and water (three parts water to one part bleach) or use a household cleanser designed to kill the fungi.
How long does anti-mould paint last?
Over time, the effectiveness of the biocides in the damp paint diminishes. Typically, damp paints have a lifespan of approximately five years before requiring reapplication to maintain their efficacy.
The frequency of repainting depends on the damp levels. So to keep the paint effective in your bathroom, which maintains constant high levels of dampness, you will have to call a painter and decorator to reapply it more frequently.
Takeaways
- It’s essential to find and fix the issue causing the damp growth. Remember, painting over damp without addressing the cause is only a temporary fix.
- Anti-mould paint offers an effective solution due to the biocide ingredients. These paints are suitable for interior and exterior walls.
- Even though there is a wide range of damp paints, ventilation during application is important.
- To maintain the effectiveness of the paint, it’s best to avoid painting over it with another type of product.
- Regular maintenance and reapplication of damp paint every five years are necessary to sustain protection.
- High-moisture areas like bathrooms and kitchens may need to be repainted more often based on the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Why Choose Our Products for your application?
According to experts from the https://www.bheta.co.uk/,research is key when planning any DIY application.
Damp appears in places with excess moisture. Inside the house, that’s usually the bathroom and kitchen, but it can also affect damp areas with low ventilation like the basement, attic or garage.
Backed by Industry Experts
Research from organizations like https://www.bheta.co.uk/,research is key when planning any DIY application.
The reasons to start forming on your home’s exterior could be quite a lot. Most often it’s a result of faulty drainage or pipework, cracked brickwork, and overly porous walls absorbing rainfall. Exterior damp can also show up on wooden fences and masonry.
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At Saverstreet, we care deeply about our customers. That’s why we offer only hand-selected, quality-tested products that make your life easier and more enjoyable.
- It’s essential to find and fix the issue causing the mould growth. Remember, painting over mould without addressing the cause is only a temporary fix.