FAQ's Professional Mould Removal Sunshine Coast

FACT: What Mould Needs to Grow

Mould needs these conditions before it can begin to grow in a home: 

• Mould spores
• A food source (e.g. wood, gyp rock/plasterboard, cotton, leather)
• Darkness (mould can't grow under ultraviolet light)
• Warmth (mould can't grow in freezing temperatures)
• Oxygen
• Moisture(e.g. water leaks, humidity)
• Enough time (most mould's can begin to grow in 24–48 hours if the conditions are right)

Moisture is really the key cause of mould growth, since the other conditions on the list are always going to be present in homes. 

So, essentially, the difference between whether mould grows in your home or not comes down to whether you have a moisture problem. 

Humidity Causes Mould

If the weather's been very humid for a few days in a row, you might notice mould starting to grow in your home. When it rains for several days, it's especially common to see mould start to grow on walls, benches and other surfaces because of the wet air. 

If you live where humidity in the air is naturally high, like by the coast or another large body of water, then mould growth in your home can also be a recurring problem. 

Also, when moisture inside your house evaporates into the air it increases the humidity indoors. If your home isn't well ventilated, then the humidity will stay high for a long time. 

Drying clothes indoors on clothes lines or stands is a common culprit when it comes to causes of indoor humidity problems. The household HVAC system can also create humidity troubles while it artificially heats or cools the air. 

Sometimes people use humidifiers in their homes. But there are moulds that only need the humidity level to be higher than 55% to start growing. So if you need to use a humidifier in your home make sure to keep the humidity below 55%. 

Not only does high humidity feed mould, but it means that puddles of water and damp materials in the home take longer to dry out. These wet surfaces can in turn create mould growth of their own. 

Leaking Pipes Cause Mould

Water leaks from pipes are a common cause of mould growth. The worst leaks are the ones that go undetected because they are hidden out of view, like inside a wall. By the time you discover these leaks mould has usually started to grow already. 

Leaks in Roof Cause Mould

Like some leaking pipes, a roof that leaks into the attic might not be discovered until it's already led to mould growth. 

The best thing to do is to check the roof void/cavity regularly for leaks and keep an eye on the ceiling below the roof void/cavity. If you notice any signs of water damage on the ceiling or any mould that has grown through, then you probably have a leaking roof or leaking water from pipes or something. 

Condensation Causes Mould

Cold surfaces can create condensation in your home. Condensation collects on cold metal pipes as well as on cold concrete floors, even if there is carpet over the top, and on walls. Places like these where condensation occurs are prime spots for mould growth. 

Poor Ventilation Causes Mould

If your home is poorly ventilated, it can create pockets of stagnant moist air which mould thrives in. Steam and water evaporating into the air creates humidity inside, which then needs to be circulated outdoors through windows to keep the moisture level balanced. 

Poor ventilation also means wet surfaces dry out more slowly. Ventilation is especially important in rooms such as the bathroom and the kitchen, there is a lot of steam.

Wet Clothes Causes Mould

If you leave clothes wet for a long period of time in your house, mould can grow on them as well as on other surfaces due to the moisture wet clothes release into your home. 

Damp clothes left in a pile waiting to be washed for more than a day can lead to mould growth. Clothes left wet for over a day after being washed may also end up fostering mould. 

Drying your clothes in a dryer instead of outside on the line releases a large amount of moisture into your home if the drier is not vented outside the house. Clothes drying inside on indoor clothes lines or racks will also create a build up of moisture inside unless the room is well ventilated.

Flooding Causes Mould

It is almost inevitable that some mould problems will develop after your home has been affected by flooding. Obviously, your house will be very wet for a long time during a flood, taking days or even weeks to dry out. Since mould only needs a suitable surface to be wet for 24 hours before it can grow this means there is a huge risk of mould growth. 

Some dangerous toxic moulds require more extreme conditions than common moulds do, such as the toxic mould Stachybotrys Chartarum requires material to be very wet for several days to grow. A flood can create these conditions putting your home more at risk of being infested with dangerous toxic moulds.

Damp Basement Causes Mould

Basements often contain higher amounts of moisture or humidity than other rooms because they are usually not well ventilated. Basements are also often colder meaning more condensation occurs which leads to dampness and humidity. 

Also any water from leaks in your home will often end up running down to the basement since it is lower than all the other rooms. Not only is mould more likely to grow in basements but because they are usually neglected mould growth may not be discovered until it is well set in.

Water at the House's Foundation Causes Mould

Water building up in the yard and ground around the base of your house can cause frequent water problems for the foundation of your home. 

If the ground around your home slopes towards the house, rainwater will end up building at the foundation. If this causes constant problems, you might even need to do some landscaping to modify the slope of the ground so water drains away from the house. Alternatively, ditches and drains can be dug to channel water away from the home.

FACT: The main things mould needs to grow in a home are organic materials to feed on and moisture. In houses there are always plenty of organic materials for mould to live on such as wood, gyp rock/plasterboard and various other building materials.

Moisture, on the other hand, can be controlled practically, and so keeping the moisture in your home low is the best way to prevent mould growth.

Prevent Mould by Preventing Moisture

Most moulds need 24–48 hours of moisture to begin to grow. Therefore, if a suitable material in your home is wet for more than 24 hours, then you run the risk of mould starting to grow.

Prevent Mould by Preventing Water Leaks

There are a few main things which usually cause moisture problems in the home. One is water leaks. These include things such as leaking roofs or walls, leaking pipes and leaking taps or a leaking shower.

If you know of any leaks in your home, you should fix them without delay. You might need to inspect your home to find any water leaks you didn't know about.

Prevent Mould by Preventing Condensation

Condensation is another frequent cause of moisture. Condensation forms on cold surfaces when water vapour in the air cools and becomes liquid. Often you'll see condensation on metal pipes, concrete walls, water tanks and windows.

One way to reduce condensation is to keep the temperature warmer in rooms. For example, by installing insulation. You can also insulate the surfaces themselves such as putting coverings over metal pipes. You'll also have less condensation occurring if you keep the humidity in your home low. 

Prevent Mould by Reducing Humidity 

Many species of mould can begin to grow from humidity alone if the humidity stays high for long enough. In fact the humidity only needs to be higher than 55% before some moulds can begin to grow.

The best way to keep humidity low in your home is through ventilation. Open the windows during the day, especially when it's hot since this is when humidity is usually the lowest outside. Close your windows when it's raining outside though.

It's especially important to ventilate the rooms where steam and moisture builds up, like the kitchen and bathroom. Exhaust fans help to reduce the humidity when doing things like cooking or washing dishes.

Air conditioners can also reduce household humidity, as can using dehumidifiers in your home.

Wet Clothes and Preventing Mould

One common cause of moisture problems in homes is wet clothes. After you've washed your clothes, you should immediately dry them. Don't leave them sitting in a wet pile for a long time. Make sure not to leave any wet clothes lying around waiting to be washed, too.

It's best to dry your clothes outside on a clothes line if you can. Hanging them inside on a clothes horse or indoor clothes line will not dry them as quickly, and the moisture from your clothes will evaporate into the air, raising the humidity. If you dry them in a clothes dryer inside your home, then you should exhaust the air outdoors if possible. In either case, make sure the room where you're drying your clothes is well ventilated.

Removing Mould

Once mould has begun to grow in your home, it's not enough to just take away the mould's moisture source. Mould that runs out of moisture can lie dormant for a long time without dying. So if you already have mould growth in your home, you need to take steps to have it removed. 

Mould Food Sources and Cleaning to Prevent Mould

Mould grows and feeds on organic substances such as wood or cotton. Mould should not grow on surfaces like plastic, metal or glass unless there is a layer of grease or some other organic substance which it can feed on.

Some materials mould commonly grows on in the home include wood, carpet, food, paper, insulation, wallpaper, paint, wallpaper glue, plasterboard, fabrics, cotton, books, leather, chipboard, furniture, dust, ceiling tiles, inside air conditioners and almost any other organic material.

You should clean regularly to reduce dirt and grime, which mould can live on. Dust and vacuum often, ideally with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtered vacuum cleaner, to remove dust and other substances that mould can grow off of. It has been found that 80% of mould grows on dust. 

Minimising Mould Spores to Prevent Mould

Mould spores are everywhere in the air outside. They float through buildings all the time, and there is no practical way to remove all mould spores indoors.

However if the concentration of mould spores inside is significantly higher than outside then it can start to cause health issues. A higher amount of mould spores also increases the potential for mould problems to start.

Mould spores enter homes through windows, doors, air ducts, etc. They can also be transported inside attached to skin, clothing, hair, pets, etc.

Although you cannot eliminate all mould spores inside your home or prevent all mold spores from entering, minimizing the amount of spores will prevent you from suffering mould related health problems and lessen the chance of mould beginning to grow in your home.

To minimize mould spores clean and dust often. Also vacuum your home regularly, preferably with a HEPA vacuum cleaner to remove mold spores. HEPA air filters in your home also help remove mould spores from the air.

Sunlight to Prevent Mould

Mould loves dark spaces indoors to grow in. Allowing sunlight in will reduce the chances of mould growing so open the curtains in rooms during the day to let natural light in.

FACT: Toxic black mould or black mould is a name commonly used for Stachybotrys Chartarum. It is one of the most infamous toxic moulds because it can grow in houses and is extremely dangerous to humans. Stachybotrys is known as a toxic mould because it produces toxins called mycotoxins.

What Does Toxic Black Mould Look Like

Toxic black mould is a greenish-black gelatinous mould. It is usually slimy because of a wet layer on the top. However, if a toxic black mould colony's water source runs out, it can appear dry and powdery.

There are several moulds that look similar to toxic black mould. If you find what you think might be Stachybotrys the only way you can tell for sure is to have a mould expert look at a sample under a microscope.

Toxic Black Mould Symptoms

The mycotoxins of toxic black mould cause people to suffer toxic symptoms. The general types of symptoms caused by toxic black mould include:

• Respiratory problems
• Skin inflammation
• Haemorrhage
• Irritation of the mucous membranes
• Damage to internal organs
• Mental impairment
• Tiredness
• Nausea
• Immune system suppression

Toxic black mould can cause permanent damage to your health. In extreme cases, toxic black mould has even led to death. Because of the serious health effects toxic black mould can cause, if you find it in your home, you need to take steps to get it removed immediately. The longer you are around toxic black mould, the more it will damage your health.

Toxic Black Mould Removal

Never try to remove toxic black mould on your own. Disturbing toxic black mould can make it release huge amounts of spores and mycotoxins throughout your home, making your symptoms much worse.

If you have toxic black mould in your home you should talk to Mould Medico, we are experienced in removing toxic black mould. Mould Medico can remove the mould with minimal disturbance, while also containing spores and mycotoxins. 

Where Toxic Black Mould Grows and What Causes It

Toxic black mould grows best in warm conditions and is found in many countries throughout the world. Outdoors, toxic black mould grows in soil and on plant debris. Indoors, toxic black mould needs materials high in cellulose and low in nitrogen to grow on. This means toxic black mould can grow on many common indoor building materials.

When toxic black mould does grow in the home, it's usually in a place out of sight. Toxic black mould needs a lot of moisture for a long time before it can begin to grow. This is why it often grows where there has been a water leak hidden from view. Leaks inside walls, above ceilings or under floors are common causes of toxic black mould.

How Long Before Toxic Black Mould Grows

Toxic black mould does not grow as quickly or as easily as most moulds. Toxic black mould needs a suitable material to be very wet for at least a week before it can begin to grow.

While most moulds take just one or two days to colonise, toxic black mould usually needs eight to twelve days. Once toxic black mould is growing though, it usually forces out any other moulds growing nearby and takes over its environment.

Toxic Black Mould Mycotoxins

Mycotoxins are carried on the spores of toxic black mould and are also found throughout the entire mould colony. People with toxic black mould in their homes are mostly exposed to mycotoxins through breathing them in. This leads to toxic symptoms and health problems.

FACT: With prolonged mould exposure, the endocrine and nervous system can be affected, leading to symptoms such as dizziness, mood changes and memory loss. Breathing in toxic mould spores, hyphae's and fragments can also compromise the body’s immune system. Those with chronic illnesses, respiratory illness (including Asthma), the elderly and infants are most vulnerable to the adverse health effects of Mould. 24% of the population are unable to produce antibodies to combat Mould. Certain moulds can produce mycotoxins, which can pose health risks. Individuals with allergies or respiratory conditions may be more susceptible. Additionally, different mould's have varying levels of toxicity. Professional assessment and remediation are crucial for ensuring a safe environment. Mould spores in the air can be inhaled and are known to cause serious adverse health problems to both humans and pets such as:  

• CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome), 
• Respiratory illnesses
• Autoimmune issues
• Gluten sensitivity
• Blood clotting abnormalities
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Ulcerative colitis
• Chronic fatigue
• The suppression of endorphins also occurs, causing chronic pain
• Frequent urination
• Low blood volume
• Low blood pressure
• Static electricity shocks
• Chronic foot/ankle pain
• Plantar fasciitis
• Bronchitis
• Hair loss
• PANS/PANDAS
• Blood glucose issues
• Random muscle cramps
• Nutrition Deficiencies
• Chronic utis and thrush
• Chronic gut issues (GERD)
• Chronic sleep issues
• Chronic mineral imbalance
• Tinnitus
• Food Intolerances/allergies
• Environmental allergies
• Sneezing
• Sibo infections
• Mental health illnesses - Fight or flight, anxiety, severe depression, lack of emotional
• regulation, mood swings, anger, OCD, Disorientation, reduced ability to deal with stress,
• suicidal thoughts, hallucinations, delusions, irritability, Confusion, Difficulty recalling
• words/concentrating, Reduced ability to plan and execute, lack of motivation
• Presents ADHD/Autistic
• Alzheimer’s dementia
• Asthma
• Long-term upper respiratory disease
• Nose bleeds
• Poor sleep
• Fatigue/Weakness
• Muscle aches and cramps
• Unusual or ice pick pain
• Heart Palpitations
• Restlessness
• Red eyes, Blurred vision
• Sinus issues (sinusitis, runny nose)
• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Seizures
• Fever
• Nausea
• Edema
• Sharp shooting pain
• Abdominal pain
• Vasculitis
• Memory problems
• Tremors
• Burning along the spine
• Leaky gut
• Sensitivity to touch
• Sense of internal vibration
• Joint pain
• Weight gain/Weight loss, Unable to lose weight
• Poor/inconsistent body temperature regulation
• Excessive thirst
• Appetite swings
• Tremors
• Vertigo
• Metallic taste
• Static shocks
• Histamine intolerance (MCAS)
• Constipation/diarrhoea
• Night sweats
• Light sensitivity
• Tingling
• Unusual skin sensitivity
• Neurological
• Sore throat
• Whole-body, chronic inflammation.
• Reduced exercise ability
• Infertility, endometriosis, irregular cycles and PMS

FACT: Mould doesn't discriminate based on cleanliness. It can thrive in any environment where there is moisture, warmth, and organic matter. Even well-maintained homes can experience mould growth if the conditions are right.

FACT: While many mould removal products contain sodium hypochlorite, the active ingredient in bleach, there are several reasons to use alternatives to chlorine bleach when killing mould. One explanation is that mould growing in porous materials cannot be entirely destroyed by bleach. Bleach's chlorine is unable to seep through porous materials like wood or gyp rock. Only the water component of the bleach is absorbed into porous materials, leaving the chlorine on the surface and giving the mould more moisture to feed on. 

You might be stuck in a cycle of constant bleaching if some of the mould on the surface is killed, but the mould's roots are left untouched. This means that the mould will quickly return. Maybe for this reason, some people think that if you spray bleach on mould it kills it, and it disappears, but it just bleaches the colour and makes the mould invisible. Inhaling bleach fumes can cause several health risks, including damage or burning of the lining of the esophagus or lungs. That can lead to coughing, gurgling breathing sounds and trouble getting enough air. 

These symptoms can be mild, moderate or severe depending on the amount of exposure and your respiratory health. People with asthma, COPD and other chronic respiratory health issues may experience more exaggerated or severe symptoms and/or have a lower tolerance to bleach fumes. 

Fumes can also be trapped on skin that comes in direct contact with bleach. While these fumes are not typically as concentrated, they can still irritate eyes, nasal passages and the throat. While bleach can remove surface mould temporarily, it doesn't address the underlying issue nor kill mould. Mould has roots that penetrate surfaces, and bleach will not reach these roots. Additionally, mould will release Mycotoxins that are as harmful as the spores themselves if not treated professionally. Professional mould remediation is essential to ensure thorough removal and prevention.

FACT: Mould is difficult to kill because it likes to root deeply into organic materials. However, much mould you can see on the surface, there’s almost certainly more that you can’t see. Vinegar is good at killing plant matter, that much is true. But it can't kill fungi like mould down to the root. That’s why it usually isn’t truly effective in cleaning black mould, green mould, and most kinds of common house moulds. We understand why it’s still commonly believed that vinegar works on mould. It does appear to clean the mould on the surface, where you can see it, even soapy water will do that; the mould appears to be gone! But eventually, it will reappear. That’s why we don’t recommend vinegar as an effective treatment for mould.

FACT: Mould certainly can smell. Have you ever walked into a room and gotten a weird, musty smell?  Mould smells like a unique and often unpleasant odor that many people describe as musty, stale, and earthy. It's kind of like the smell of wet socks or old wood that's been left out in the rain. Those are some of the most common characteristics of mould smells, although they can vary. If you walk into a room, and it smells like it's stuffy and hasn't been aired out in a while, mould could be the cause. 

Certain types of mould release gross Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOCs) that can cause mouldy odours. The mould itself does not smell bad; it is the off-gases affecting the air quality that is let off by mould growth. Mould can grow behind walls, in roof voids, or under flooring, often hidden from view. The absence of visible mould doesn't necessarily mean it's not present. Professional mould inspections use specialised tools to detect hidden mould.

FACT: The gases that mould produces are known as microbial volatile organic compounds, or MVOCs. MVOCs are the source of the musty smell that mould may give off. The chemicals causing these smells are actually produced by moulds at specific stages of their growth cycle. More than 200 compounds have been classified as MVOCs through laboratory testing. Strong chemicals like aldehydes, benzenes, toluene's, and many more are frequently found in them. 

Certain moulds produce distinct MVOCs based on factors like the availability of moisture and the substrate the mould is growing on. On the other hand, mould can only produce MVOCs when it is actively growing, which is dependent on a number of factors including humidity, temperature, air pressure, and light. This is so because the waste products are MVOCs.  So if you can smell MVOCs from mould, it is a sign that mould is actively growing in your home and that you should remediate the mould problem as soon as possible.

FACT: The product we use is a Microbial Control Technology, independently validated to reduce fungal and bacterial bio-burden levels within indoor environments. Formulated with over 20 plant actives, it is 100% safe for humans, animals and the environment.

Scientific breakthrough in natural organic chemistry

Created through extensive research and development, the technology capitalises on the relationship between nature and science to effectively neutralise and control airborne and surface contamination without the use of toxic chemicals.

Natural air and surface purification

An average person spends almost 90% of their time indoors. High levels of indoor bioburden have been linked to many severe health conditions. The treatment decreases the indoor bioburden to levels well below current Australian standards for indoor air:

• Less than 150 colonies of mould per 1000 litres
• Less than 1000 colonies of bacteria per 1000 litres

100% plant actives

The product is made with a proprietary mix of selected Australian organic plant based ingredients, carefully blended to deliver powerful microbial reduction properties at very low dosage. All of these actives have specific effects on microbial life and strict controls are utilised to maximise their effect whilst safeguarding their relationship with each other.

Fast-acting impact on microbes

Viruses host in bacteria; bacteria and mould host on particulate matter, such as dust particles and pollen, either in the air or on surfaces. Upon contact, the product will cause the germ to die by stopping bacteria from reproducing and mould from receiving oxygen, eliminating their ability to grow, multiply, spread and infect other parts of the indoor environment. By killing the bacteria, it also causes the viruses to die.

Long-lasting protection

Once we have removed the infestation and the space has been cleaned, the product continues working to prevent new infestations from appearing. The Technology offers a complete solution, from the removal of bacteria and mould to continued lasting protection.

Independently tested and validated using the highest level of test methodologies currently available EUROFINS l AMS (TGA Licence No: MI-15112007-LI-002191-11 APVMA Licence No: 6139)

• Liquid - passed TGA COVID-19 test - 99.995% kill on contact