Testing for mould is a quick and simple way to identify where unwanted damp is creeping into parts of your home. The sooner an issue is recognised the sooner it can be dealt with. And the sooner it is dealt with the less likely you are to see mould making an unwelcome appearance.
Once damp infiltrates the home, mould will not be far behind and a tell-tale sign that you have issues that need sorting. Removing mould from walls, ceilings, skirting boards and carpets, and isn’t always easy to get rid of. And the longer it’s left the more damage it will cause. Here the experts offer up advice and tips to test and get rid of mould.
Eric Bramlett
Eric Bramlett is the owner of Bramlett Real Estate. He has extensive experience in real estate development and brokerage management. They have won multiple industry awards and been featured in top media outlets such as Axios, Bloomberg and Forbes.
Why test for mould?
There’s typically two reasons for testing for mould: hidden mould hotspots and health issues. Not all mould is easy to spot, Eric Bramlett, owner ofBramlett Real Estate says, “Mould often hides behind walls, under carpets, or in HVAC systems.”
And there are other, often more serious, reasons, he adds, “If you’ve had water damage, even from something small like a leaky window or an overflowing toilet, mould can start growing within days.”
And there are more personal issues it can cause as Bramlett shares, “Breathing in mould spores can cause health issues – especially for kids, older people, or anyone with allergies.” So if you think you might have a problem make sure to test.
Signs that you need to test for mould
While it's not easy to know if you have mould growing in your home, Bramlett says, “Mould loves damp spots like bathrooms, basements, or under kitchen sinks.” So these are good places to check.
He adds, “The visual is the obvious one – you might see dark spots, green or black patches, sometimes with a fuzzy or velvety look.” But before the visual becomes obvious Bramlett says, “Smell is another giveaway.” He adds, “That damp, earthy, musty odor is hard to miss. Even if you don’t see anything, the smell alone can mean mold is growing somewhere out of sight.”
Get the gear to identify and get rid of mould
Mold Test Kit for Home
This kit contains six test plates, a detailed mould guide and mould removal instructions, ten swabs, label sheets and test gloves.
Ronseal Problem Wall Paint
This anti-mould paint is ideal for covering up mould-affected areas. It comes in a matt or silk emulsion finish and protects walls and ceilings from mould growth for up to six years.
Kiprim Pinless Damp Meter Moisture Meter
This moisture meter offers pinless testing and is designed for most surfaces including wood, walls, concrete, and more. Results are displayed on an easy to read LED screen.
How do I test for mould in my home?
The simple option is a visual check, which is easy if mould has started to grow. Another option is the touch test. This is as simple as touching an area and seeing if it feels damp. Start by touching an area that you know is dry and damp-free, and then compare the two.
But a better way to test for mould is to use a DIY home testing kit. These will help identify areas that might not be as obvious to the naked eye. Alternatively, call in a professional for a thorough test.
What to do if you do have mould?
If you do have mould in the home you will need to get rid of it. If you have an underlying issue such as a leaking pipe you will need to fix this first. Otherwise the damp will come back leading to mould.
Once the underlying issue has been resolved you can look at solutions to get rid of the mould. Dr Jonathan Kirby, Mould Expert at Dryzone says, “Don’t just reach for the bleach.” He adds, “A popular method is wiping the stain away with bleach and a wet cloth. However, not only is this just a temporary fix, but it may also make the issue worse.”
To get rid of mould Kirby says, “Professional mould and damp specialists recommend a simple four-step mould removal process, which you can use at home with mild cases of mould.”
Jonathan is a developmental chemist and mould expert at Dryzone. From mould advice to masonry protection, he has dedicated himself to helping protect UK housing stock through the development of new and innovative products.
Mould doesn’t exclusively grow on walls and ceilings. If left untreated it can transfer to other material as Victoria Robinson, product manager at Hillarys shares, “Condensation on windows can create a breeding ground for mould around your windows so it’s important you take preventative measures to avoid it damaging your curtains and blinds.”
She suggests a simple, budget-friendly option, “A short-term solution to prevent mould growth around your windows is to place a bowl of salt on your windowsill. Salt is a natural desiccant so will absorb moisture from the air.”
FAQs
How much does it cost for a professional mould inspection?
As a general guideline you should expect to pay £100-£200 for a mould inspection. But there are a number of factors that will have a bearing on the overall cost. These include the size of a property and the extent of the problem.
Obviously the larger the home the longer the inspection typically takes, meaning the price will be higher. Again, if only a part of the home is being inspected the cost will be less than if the whole home has to be inspected. Contact a few local mould experts and get some quotes for an accurate cost.
Matthew Durrant
Matthew founded i4me Insurance Brokers over 9 years ago and has since driven the company to success in various areas of specialist home insurance. Before founding i4me, Matthew worked for various major insurance providers.
Does home insurance typically cover mould?
Mould and damp need to be dealt with quickly to stop them becoming a serious nuisance, but is is something that is not typically covered by general household insurance as Matthew Durrant, MD at i4me Insurance Brokers shares, “Damp and mould in isolation are not usually covered by an insurance policy – this is often caused by poor ventilation, so it is not something that you can usually claim for. However, it could be a symptom of a water leak, which most likely will be covered."
If you are unsure what the cause of the problem is, you need to contact your insurance provider to find out what the process is and whether they pay or not.
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Steve Jenkins is a freelance content creator with over two decades of experience working in digital and print and was previously the DIY content editor for Homebuilding & Renovating.
He is a keen DIYer with over 20 years of experience in transforming and renovating the many homes he has lived in. He specialises in painting and decorating, but has a wide range of skills gleaned from working in the building trade for around 10 years and spending time at night school learning how to plaster and plumb.
He has fitted kitchens, tiled bathrooms and kitchens, laid many floors, built partition walls, plastered walls, plumbed in bathrooms, worked on loft conversions and much more. And when he's not sure how to tackle a DIY project he has a wide network of friends – including plumbers, gas engineers, tilers, carpenters, painters and decorators, electricians and builders – in the trade to call upon.
