London sits on the Thames Valley Basin, which is a clay-based region that tends to retain water and this can cause damp, mould and mildew problems in buildings, especially older London properties. We hardly ever see the Sun these days and that means that wet ground is not drying out as it normally would and this is a major cause of rising damp.
What is mould?
Mould is a form of fungal growth that thrives in damp and humid conditions; lack of ventilation enables mould to release minute spores into the atmosphere and this is definitely a health hazard. There are different types of mould; black mould is by far the most dangerous, which can be fatal with prolonged exposure.
Mould is a major health hazard
Prolonged exposure to mould can cause serious respiratory disease, while it can also cause skin allergies such as eczema and red rashes. Mould is often concealed in dark places and it can be difficult to locate; tell-tale signs include a musky smell in the house and humid, stale air. Young children are particularly at risk as they tend to put everything in their mouth, while mould can also impact your pets. When health is concerned, it simply isn’t worth the risk, if you notice any signs of mould or mildew, call London Damp Surveys and arrange for one of our certified inspectors to assess your home.
Mould is destructive
Aside from the obvious health hazard, mould is a very destructive organism that feeds on organic materials like timber, drywall and insulating material, which over time, can compromise these materials. As mould spreads, it causes stains and discolouration, while also releasing deadly spores into the atmosphere; if you notice tell-tale signs of mould in your home, call London Damp Surveys and we can arrange for one of our certified damp surveyors to accurately assess the property for damp, mould, mildew and timber rot.
Lack of ventilation
If a property does not have adequate airflow, mould can thrive; it is important to create an airflow, which can be done by opening a few windows and/or the correct use of extractor fans. It is perfectly understandable that people do not want to open their windows in the cold weather, however, doing so every few days will help to reduce mould and mildew growth.
Recommended treatments
The best way to deal with mould is to call in a professional damp-proofing company in London, while we do not provide damp-proofing services, we do have a working relationship with the best teams in London. They use powerful industrial vacuums and scrubbers to completely remove harmful mould in a safe and effective manner, which is the safest way to remove mould and prevent it from returning. It is normal to section off areas of the property that suffer from mould, which prevents it from spreading.
Don’t delay, call London Damp Surveys on 0207 305 5997 anytime or fill in the form on this website.
