How to Get Rid of Mould

Mould growth is an extremely common problem. It can completely destroy the aesthetic of a room and can also be seriously damaging to human health, affecting the sensitive respiratory system as well as the skin. A research team at Rutgers University found that some types of mould emit what is known as 'mushroom alcohol' which, when inhaled, can cause the brain's neurons to degenerate, playing a role in the development of Parkinson's disease.  

A recent survey carried out by Homebase sought the experiences of over 2,000 people in the UK with regards to mould. The results showed that a staggering 85% of respondents had had problems with mould in their properties and that almost one in ten (9%) did not know that mould could be having an impact on their health.

Mould prefers warm and wet environments and this is why it is most often found in kitchens and bathrooms. The period of time between late autumn and early spring sees a spike in the number of mould outbreaks as large temperature differences between the outdoors and the indoors causes condensation, providing the perfect environment for mould growth.

If you have mould growth in your property then one of the quickest, most reliable ways to get rid of it is to use the Mould Eradication Kit from leading brand Wykamol. The versatile product can be used with equal success on practically any surface from door and window frames to skirting boards, walls and ceilings. Here we present a brief guide on how to use the contents of the kit for best results. 

• The kit contains a spray bottle of mould remover biocide, two bottles of fungicidal additive, an applicator sponge, a pair of protective gloves and a pair of safety goggles. 
• Start by putting on the gloves and goggles. Wear them throughout the application process. 
• From a distance of between 3cm and 5cm, spray the mould-affected surface liberally with the biocide formula. For best results, continue spraying the surface for a metre beyond the visible mould. One coat should be sufficient but heavily-affected surfaces will require that a second coat be applied ten minutes after applying the first.
• When spraying onto wallpaper, the biocide formula will act as a stripping agent. Remove the contaminated wallpaper, bag it securely and dispose of it appropriately. Next, respray the exposed plaster as described in the previous step.
• After the surface has completely dried, any loose plaster should be scraped away and disposed of. 
• Rub the treated surface thoroughly using the sponge and leave for half an hour while the biocide does its job.
• Using warm water with a little soap added, rinse the surface.
• Now it's time to use the fungicidal additive, which helps to prevent any recurrence of mould growth. The additive can be mixed into a vast variety of surface coatings and coverings including primer, wallpaper paste, gloss paint, tile adhesive, emulsion paint, undercoat, textured paint and varnish. Check the provided instructions to see how much additive should be mixed into the medium you are going to use.
• Blend thoroughly until the additive is completely dispersed into your chosen medium and then apply it in the normal manner.         

The Mould Eradication Kit is just one of the items that make up the comprehensive collection of damp proofing and damp remediation products available to purchase from Greengates Builders Merchant. Please visit the individual product pages for full details. As always, our expert technical team is on hand to answer any questions you may have so please don't hesitate to get in touch.