Mould growth can be a common sight in many homes across the UK. It’s found around bathrooms, kitchens, and in other rooms near windows. Mould can cause several health problems for those living with the mould in their homes.
In this article, we will look at how to remove mould from silicone sealant across the home. In addition, we will detail how you can prevent mould growth in your home.
Why Does Mould Growth Happen?
There are many reasons why mould growth happens, and because it can happen in any number of locations, it can be tough to spot early on. Most of the time, if you can see the mould, then there is already a significant problem to address.
Unsightly mould is a fungus. It survives and thrives in warm environments, where warm and moist air meets a cooler surface and clings to it. Any lingering mould spores then have the perfect environment to grow.
Anywhere where there is silicone sealant, like a window sealant, shower silicone, or bathroom sealant, are prime locations where mould can grow. These locations tend to be near cooler areas. Either because the outside is cold or because they are close to sources of cold water.
You are also likely to find mould on the walls, shower curtain, or ceiling of a home with humidity issues.
How to Identify Mould in the Home?
There are lots of tell-tale signs that mould might be inside your home that you need to look out for. Here are some of those signs.
Smell
The first sign is to look for a musty smell inside any room. Even if the room looks clean and dry, a musty smell can be a typical sign that there is hidden mould. Mould on silicone sealant can start very small, so the smell might be the first sign that you see.
Spots on the Silicone Sealant
When you start to see spots on the silicone sealant or even large areas of black on the sealant, you can be sure that there is mould on the sealant. When looking at a bathroom, this can include the sealant around the bath/shower or in other rooms, and sealant around the windows.
Damaged Walls
Mould can quickly spread around the area where it starts. Because windows are a prime location for black mould, you might notice that wallpaper might start to come away from the wall. Painted walls might seem to crack or appear damaged.
In extreme cases where you might have a leaking pipe or damp in the walls, you might spot a bulge in the wall.
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The Health Risks of Mould in the Home
There has been a lot in the news in recent years about the potential health problems that can be caused by black mould in the home. Those with poor immune systems or those with asthma are especially at risk.
However, many people simply have an allergy to mould and can experience several symptoms, including itchy hands/feet, sore eyes, and breathing problems.
Removing the mould from a home is the only safe way to prevent these problems from becoming more serious.
How to Remove Mould from Silicone
Several steps are required to help you to remove mould from your home. These steps are important to follow because they help ensure your safety and prevent mould in other areas of the home.
Step One: Assess
Be sure that you can remove the mould from the bathroom sealant or other areas where the black mould is growing. If the cause of the mould is because of a sewage spill or something more toxic, then you might want to call in an expert mould remover to clean the mould and solve the problem.
If it is just a common mould problem, you should be able to clean the black mould yourself.
Step Two: Mould Cleaning Preparation
Before you can start to clean any mould, prepare the area for cleaning the black mould from the room. The first thing you need to do is to wear protective clothing. Start with some protective gloves; you can use some disposable gloves or rubber gloves, whichever is best for you.
In addition, you should get some old clothes, safety glasses, and a face mask to help you stay safe and keep the mould from irritating you.
You want to have a bucket or bag ready to place any old clothes in, so you can transport them to the washing machine to prevent mould exposure to the rest of the home.
In addition, ensure that you have the right cleaning equipment. For silicone sealant, have a wet sponge, toothbrush, clean microfibre cloth, a damp rag, a stiff-bristled brush, bath towels, or something else.
And ensure that you have the right cleaning solutions for mould removal. For instance, you will probably want white vinegar, baking soda, or something similar. To apply the solution, use a spray bottle.
Step Three: Ensure the Area is Ready for Cleaning
Now prepare the area for cleaning. You might want to use some protective sheets to protect carpets or bathroom furnishings from getting lingering mould spores on them. In addition, it is best to open windows up wide to help disparate any harmful chemicals you’re using.
Before you start cleaning tiles and bathroom walls to free them from mould, ensure that the area is ready for cleaning.
Ensure there is easy access to a bin bag and all the cleaning solutions and tools you have.
Step Four: Start Cleaning
Now you can get rid of mould on the silicone sealant, which can take at least an hour, so be sure you have enough time to complete the job. The first thing that you want to do is to remove lingering moisture from windows or any flat surface near the mould.
Then spray the area to clean with the vinegar solution or another cleaning solution you’ve made. Vinegar is a great cleaning option because it is a natural cleaner and causes fewer health problems than other mould-killer cleaners might cause.
Baking soda can also be a good cleaner because when it interacts with water, it has a great cleaning impact, bringing back the original colours.
There should be enough of the cleaning solution to see it, but not too much of a thick layer. Remember to wear protective gloves when you apply and work with any cleaner.
The first attempt to remove the mould should be to wipe over the area with a clean microfibre cloth. Mould that is recent and not firmly established should be removed quickly.
If stains remain, you might need a stiff bristled brush to scrub at the mould. Scrub hard until you can’t see any dark or brown patches on the silicone sealant.
If you still see stains on the sealant, you might need to remove the sealant and re-apply it. When you are resealing the area, remove excess moisture, as this helps the sealant dry in place quicker. Toilet paper can be a good way to soak up extra moisture. If the room experiences damp conditions, this will slow down the drying process too.
You should not use a shower if the shower walls or shower tiles have had their grout or silicone seals removed. This can encourage water to access behind the tiles, which may then harbour mould spores or fall off.
Step Five: Finish Cleaning
Now you need to clear up from the cleaning job. Put all clothes in a wash, and wash at a high temperature to ensure that you are removing mould that might access them.
Bin any damp rag, wet sponge, or other items used to clean mould. Be sure to leave the window open for longer to ensure any smells from the bathroom cleaner or other solutions have dissipated.
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How to Prevent Mould Growth
You should also look for ways to prevent mould in the home. There are several options to help you reduce the affected areas in your home from mould.
Windows: Ensure that windows are opened as much as possible. It allows for good airflow around the home.
Mould Resistant Sealant: Use mould-resistant sealants from a trusted brand when sealing windows and other items in the home.
Clean Your Bathroom Furnishings Regularly: Bathroom mould is one of the biggest problems. To prevent bathroom mould in your home, be sure that you clean the room regularly, especially things like wash baskets, the shower curtain, and bath mats.
Reduce Wet/Damp Clothing: Wet Clothing only encourages damp conditions in the home. Dry these items as soon as possible. Also, ensure the shower floor is dry after any bath/shower.
Damp Proofing: Check your home doesn’t need damp proofing services. Mould is often caused by homes being damp.
Final Word: How to Remove Black Mould from Silicone
As well as the bathroom, silicone sealant around your home is the common place to find mould. Above, we’ve demonstrated how to remove mould from the home and ensure that you have a healthy, mould-free home.
