If you’ve noticed black, green, grey or brown spots on your painted surface, you could be dealing with mould. Not only can mould cause unsightly stains and unpleasant smells, but it can also be hazardous to your health. Here’s how to treat mould and some steps you can take to help prevent it from returning.
What is mould and why is it a problem?
Mould is a type of fungus that releases toxic spores and vapours into the air. This can lead to sneezing, a runny nose, red eyes and skin rashes. In extreme cases, it can even cause allergic reactions and trigger asthma attacks.
It can also erode certain surfaces, and cause significant damage to property, furniture and personal belongings.
How does mould grow?
Typically, mould is caused by excess moisture. It grows in cool, damp conditions and is often found in areas that receive little natural light with poor ventilation, like bathrooms, kitchens and laundries.
Mould is more likely to occur if you paint over bare wood without priming it, or if you paint over mould without removing it.
How to identify mould?
Even if you can’t see visible spores, there are still ways to identify mould. Common early warning signs of mould can also include:
A distinct, musty smell
Water stains or discoloured walls or ceilings
Bubbling, cracking or peeling paint or wallpaper
Recent water damage, flooding or high humidity levels
An onset of unusual, persistent health symptoms
How to treat mould
If you suspect mould is present in your home, it’s important to treat it quickly and thoroughly. While there are many products designed to treat mould, this method can be highly effective:
Open doors and windows to increase ventilation
Wear gloves, a mask and eye protection
Mix one part bleach with three parts water. Alternatively, you can use Selleys Rapid Mould Killer
Spray the mixture onto mould and scrub with a stiff brush
Rinse the area with clean water and Selleys Original Sugar Soap, allow to air dry
How to help prevent mould
When it comes to mould, prevention is always better than the cure. For wet areas like kitchens, bathrooms and laundries, Dulux Wash&Wear® +PLUS Kitchen & Bathroom and Dulux Ceiling White +PLUS Kitchen & Bathroom paints are ideal choices. These products feature Dulux’s Mouldshield® technology and come with a 10-year guarantee against mould growth*.
For other internal areas, Wash&Wear® +PLUS Anti-Bac with 101 Barrier Technology® provides a seven-year guarantee against mould growth*, with low odour and low VOC.
Important: If you're painting in an area that is already affected by mould, make sure to properly treat and clean the area before applying a new coat of paint. Painting over mould may temporarily hide its appearance, but it may grow back if not properly treated. To help prevent regrowth, it's also important to control moisture in the impacted area. Where possible, it can be a good idea to install an exhaust fan to encourage airflow and prevent condensation.
And, for extra protection, Dulux PRECISION® Stain & Mould Blocker is a water-based primer formulated to inhibit mould and mildew growth. It can also block a range of oil-based stains and is suitable for both interior and exterior projects.
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Disclaimer
*Refer to product label for full conditions. This guarantee does not limit and may not necessarily exceed your rights under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.