Preventing mould?

[iamsoreadyforbednow]

What’s the best way? We’re Getting the keys to our new build at the end of the month and we’ve just moved from a much older house that had a mould issue from the offset but made worse by the fact we were straight out of parents house, little house-keeping experience other than tidying bedrooms 😂 and had no idea how to control it so it was a constant battle and it was thoroughly depressing.

Now the new build has extractor fans in all the right places, so great! and I learnt a good habit of getting up every morning and opening the windows even just for 30 minutes to let fresh air in. Is this enough to stop mould growing on ceilings/walls?

The general routine is once the bathroom has been used to just give everything a quick wipe down and open the window to stop water marks and avoid steamy condensation sitting around for long, then do a good deep clean weekly with something like method (non toxic, is that better swished around and down than bleach or am I naive?)

Is this enough to combat mould or should I be investing in something specific?

Dehumidifier

A modern house should have cavity walls which will prevent condensation. In bathrooms or areas where you dry clothes just make sure you ventilate.

I've never had issues with mould in modern buildings, only in single skin older buildings.

Our house is 1940s terrace and we have a dehumidifier which is great.

@eurochick

A modern house should have cavity walls which will prevent condensation. In bathrooms or areas where you dry clothes just make sure you ventilate.

I've never had issues with mould in modern buildings, only in single skin older buildings.

Same here.

You might not even need to think about it! You never know.

How old are the windows? I have a mould problem just because the windows are old and the frames aren’t water tight..once they’ve been done it’ll be better.

I think you are doing great. New builds seem to be better as previous posters have advised above.

Also mould can affect health not only physical but also psychological long after you have left the previous lodging! So make sure you get checked.

All the best

@justandfair thank you. Yes I’m a long term sufferer of health anxiety and know mould is dangerous to health I think that’s why it was so depressing to live in the older house, I was just constantly on edge and never want to go near the walls I didn’t realise there were checks we could have done though, that definitely something to look into!

The windows will be brand new so it sounds like hopefully we shouldn’t have much trouble!

Thanks all! :)

Sorry I am not really sure if there are any formal checks for moulds. I meant you can see a GP to see if they could advise you more to see how much it’s impacted. We used to live in a very mouldy house and our son had developed a slight breathing difficulty due to it. We realised much later it was the mould! Simple over the counter medicine such as Piriton is very helpful to effectively overcome it’s affects too!

Ventilation and avoiding damp are the two main things.

So don't have furniture really close to outside walls. Do open the windows regularly to air the rooms out. Don't leave curtains closed 24/7.

Limit the amount of laundry you dry indoors and if you do need to dry indoors, pick a well ventilated space and open a window if you can.

Keep cooking and bathing steam inside the respective room by closing the door, and use extractor fans or open a window to dissipate.

Aquariums and houseplants can increase moisture in a room as well.

Near where I live there is a man you can hire who has a mould-sniffing dog!

Keep the kitchen door shut and either window open or fan on while cooking (every time).

Don't dry clothes anywhere that cannot be properly ventilated for the duration. Never put damp stuff on radiator.

These two things have massively improved my mould issues in a 60s build / double glazed but poorly ventilated and only one cavity wall.

New build don't really require too much thinking about to be honest.

You're already in a good routine. Most windows will have trickle vents to keep air circulating and opening windows as and when you can is good to get air circulating.
You'll probably find that you don't need to do much more than you already do.

If it's a brand new newbuild then the main thing you have to be aware of is that the walls are still drying out, so the builders advise not to paint any walls etc for the first year, and make sure air can circulate around walls so keep furniture a few centimetres away. Wait a few months before hanging pictures up etc too.

We made the mistake of putting lots of junk in the cupboard under the stairs and kept the door shut for a few months and then discovered the boxes and walls were completely mouldy as no air was circulating!! We did hang a few pictures up and never had any problems there though :)

I have that problem in my new house.
I keep a track of it. I keep my trickle vents open all the time. I air the rooms. I’m going to go through and paint the whole house with anti mould paint. In the places where it is the worst I don’t have furniture.

We have a new extension on to the old part of the house. The new part has no mould the old part does.

If your new build bathrooms, don't have windows they you may get a little mould, but not loads. It's more if you shut the door and the fan turns off after it's timer and it's still steamy from a shower / bath. I find it best to leave the door open and ensure the bedroom or hall window is opened. It's tough in the winter.

Your new build will also be drying out for the first six months or so and so they advice to ventilate.