How to Prevent Mould Growth

Wherever you may find moisture, it’s guaranteed that mould can start creeping in, and not the good type! Although this type of mould is a key component in the creation of penicillin, and can be used to help organic matters decompose, this is the type of mould you don’t want lurking around your premises.

Even the word ‘mould’ is enough to make anybody wince.. This is because wherever there is mould, health problems are bound to follow, and this especially applies to people who are sensitive to it. Mould is an airborne fungus that occurs naturally within the air, and it has a tendency to grow undetected in homes, business premises and other areas prone to moisture. This can include bathrooms, washrooms, carpets, clothing, food and even in obscure areas such as ceiling tiles and drywall.

If you’re looking to prevent yourself from suffering from the symptoms of mould, whether this be health-wise (including coughing, skin irritation, nasal stuffiness, throat irritation) or financially (from damage to walls, floors, ceilings and personal belonging) then we need to eliminate the growth. But how do we do this?

Identify Key Times

Although mould can grow at any point in time, there are certain seasons and climates that stimulate it’s growth. Mould is most common from early Spring time, through the Summer until mid Autumn. During this period, the humidity levels and temperature are perfect for mould growth. Keep a particular eye out during humid summer days, spring showers and the ‘winter thaw’.

Moisture Control

The first step to eliminating mould in your home / premises is to locate and identify the problem areas – whether this be areas that experience frequent condensation (window panes) or basements that are prone to flooding. Make sure to keep an eye on these areas, and try to keep the humidity level below 60%.

Dry Affected Surfaces Immediately

Whenever possible, surfaces that become wet must be dried as soon as possible, ideally within a 48 hour period, as it only takes 2 days for mould to grow. Drying affected areas immediately will prevent the area from becoming a breeding ground for the mould to grow.

Direct Water away from the premises

In order for water to flow away from any premises, the ground must slope away. If this isn’t the case, water can easily collect and seep into confined areas, such as basements and crawl spaces.

Repair Leaks

If you have a leak in your premises, it is essential that this is repaired. This will prevent unnecessary moisture / water from entering and covering walls, floors and foundations. Leaks can be repaired by replacing dilapidated old pipes and unclogging AC vents regularly.

Ventilation

Is your premises properly ventilated? Everyday activities and chores within your premises can cause moisture to collect in specific areas. This may be from cooking, doing laundry, cleaning the dishes or showering / bathing. Open doors and windows more frequently, move furniture away from walls to provide ventilation to confined spaces and be sure to check the moisture levels frequently and clean your appliances / surfaces.

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How to Stop Mould from Coming Back

NanoGuard X is an easy-appy, wipe-on, self-disinfecting coating barrier that prevents mould growth on smooth and textured surfaces. The liquid glass barrier also protects against bacteria and virus contamination, giving 12 months of antimicrobial protection. With a non toxic silica base, NanoGuard X works by protecting the surface without poisons. It is non sacrificial, using non leaching technology, and once applied it protects with a nanoscopic surface barrier which uses a positive charge to attract and destroy the negatively charged microbes. Our 2 part pack comes with a surface pre-cleaner / primer coating and the protective guard coating. The nano technologies silica base glass coating also protects against dirt and micro scratches, as well as creating an antimicrobial protection which kills viral and bacterial pathogens that come into contact with the surface, therefore reducing the spread of contamination.