Mould in Norfolk homes: causes, prevention and when to call a professional
Why mould keeps coming back, everyday habits that stop it, what you can safely clean yourself, and when to call in help.
Autumn and winter are when mould starts to show: black spots on window frames, grey patches in the corner of a bedroom ceiling, a shower sealant that never looks clean. It is common in homes across Norfolk and Suffolk, from older cottages to new builds, and most of the time it comes down to one thing: moisture with nowhere to go.
Why mould grows
Mould needs moisture, a surface to grow on and a little time. In most homes the moisture comes from everyday life: cooking, showers, kettles, breathing while you sleep and drying clothes indoors. When that warm, damp air meets a cold surface, such as a window, an outside wall or a corner behind a wardrobe, it turns back into water. That is condensation, and it is the most common cause of mould.
Less often, mould comes from a building problem: a leaking gutter or pipe, missing pointing, or damp coming up from the ground. That kind of damp tends to show as a patch that does not move with the seasons, and it needs the building fixing, not just cleaning.
Everyday ways to prevent it
- Let the moisture out. Use extractor fans when cooking and showering, and leave them running for a while after. Open a window a crack for a few minutes after a shower.
- Keep air moving. Leave a small gap between furniture and outside walls, and do not pack wardrobes against cold corners.
- Heat steadily. A low, steady heat is better than letting rooms get very cold and then heating them quickly.
- Dry clothes carefully. Dry them outside or in a ventilated room with the door closed and a window open, rather than on radiators in bedrooms.
- Wipe condensation away. A quick wipe of windows and sills in the morning stops water sitting there all day.
- Keep on top of cleaning. Regular cleaning of bathrooms, window frames and sealant stops spots taking hold. A regular home clean covers these areas every visit.
Cleaning small patches safely
- Wear rubber gloves and keep the room ventilated
- Use a cleaner made for mould and follow the label; never mix cleaning products
- Gently wipe the mould away with a damp cloth rather than brushing it, which can spread spores
- Dry the area well afterwards, then deal with the moisture that caused it
Mould on soft things such as curtains, mattresses or carpet backing is harder to remove completely. Washing at a high temperature can help with fabrics, but badly affected items are often better replaced.
When to call a professional
- The mould covers a large area, or keeps coming back after cleaning
- It is caused by a leak, a building fault or rising damp
- Someone in the home is vulnerable, for example a baby, an older person or anyone with breathing problems
- You rent the home: tell your landlord or letting agent in writing so the cause can be investigated
Onyx handles enquiries about mould and fogging sanitisation as part of our specialist cleaning. A deep clean, from £25 per hour, is a good reset for kitchens, bathrooms and window frames once the cause has been dealt with. Tell us what you are dealing with, ideally with a few photos, through our quote form and we will talk through the options before anything is booked.
