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Mould Assessments And Management


Understandably, many building owners are very concerned about mould, especially those who suffer from underlying medical issues, asthma, or allergies. Using mould inspection and management services from Ultra Protect, you can make sure the air in your home or commercial property is healthy and free of the ideal mould-growing conditions, such as dampness.

The Importance Of Mould Management


Mould is a serious problem that affects around 25% of all properties. Both residential and commercial properties can fall victim to mould, which can spread rapidly. The growth of mould in buildings can cause a major concern for your health and the structural integrity of your property. Mould assessments and solutions are extremely important for businesses to stay safe.


Mould produces allergens that can be an irritant to many individuals. Managing mould is vital for businesses and domestic properties, as many individuals are highly sensitive to mould and fungi. Breathing in mould spores can cause serious health issues such as: 

  • Nasal or eye irritation
  • Sore throats
  • Nausea 
  • Sneezing, coughing & wheezing
  • Nose bleeds
  • Respiratory infections
  • Skin irritation.


People with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, are also at serious risk of developing mould infections in their lungs. Toxic (black) mould exposure is also linked to health issues like memory loss, headaches, infant pulmonary haemorrhage and even cancer.


Our Mould Assessment And Management Service


With 35 years of experience under our belt, here at Ultra Protect we are committed to providing effective mould prevention and safety services. Our team of qualified consultants will visit your site and identify the mould type, cause and severity before providing a bespoke solution that is unique to your situation. 


Our air mould assessment service includes 5 surveys:


  • Survey to understand your concerns.
  • Internal air quality survey
  • Mould identification survey
  • Cause of mould survey
  • Mould solution survey


To identify your mould issue, we recommend both surface and air sampling be carried out. Our mould sampling involves:


  • Collecting samples from your premises
  • Send the samples for analysis
  • Identifying the mould type & toxicity
  • Identifying infestation levels
  • Identifying the exposure level.
  • A full report including air quality, damp issues, mould report and solutions

What Is Mould?


Troublesome for business and property owners throughout the UK, mould can be coloured black, blue, red, or green, although the spores are invisible to see with the human eye. Mould spores are airborne particles that land on any available surface, though unfortunately, the surface on which they grow can be destroyed when the spores form as well as extremely harmful to our health. 



What Causes Mould?


Many species of mould thrive in moist conditions, causing their spores to rapidly spread throughout a property via surfaces and the air. Mould is a common problem and has a number of causes, such as: 


  • Property damp
  • Water leaks 
  • Condensation 
  • Lack of heating 
  • Modern living


Mould And The Energy Crisis


With more people looking to reduce their property’s energy consumption, people are keeping their windows shut and their central heating to a minimum. This all works to create damp conditions where mould thrives. Fresh air and warm conditions are the key to preventing mould from developing.

What Causes Damp Conditions?


Damp conditions can be caused by lifestyle habits, such as:


  • Densley populated households
  • Drying clothes indoors
  • Cooking, bathing or showering
  • Lack of ventilation
  • Burst pipes 
  • Faulty or inadequate heating systems
  • Building deterioration, such as brickwork, roof tiles etc
  • Rainwater disrepair e.g. guttering
  • Subsidence, cracks and moisture ingress
Contact us to book your mould survey

How Can Mould Be Prevented?


Mould growth is a time-sensitive process with a number of factors that are influenced by temperature, humidity, and the surface on which the mould is developing. The best way to avoid and manage indoor mould growth is to regulate the humidity in your home as mould cannot grow if the levels are kept below 50% RH. This is because mould spores require moisture to flourish. Between 30 and 60% relative humidity is considered healthy indoors. You can keep this humidity level constant by:


  • Opening windows
  • Creating good airflow throughout your property
  • Ventilate moist areas e.g. kitchens, bathrooms etc.
  • Dehumidification devices
  • Wipe away moisture from showers, on windows etc.
  • Using humidistats and extractor fans
  • Installing MVHR heat recovery systems
  • Repairing water leaks and damp issues


  • Facts on Mould

    • 4 people living in a 3 bedroom property would create 64 litres of moisture a week from just breathing, cooking, showering and boiling the kettle.
    • People are 40% more likely to have asthma when living in a damp or mouldy home, according to the World Health Organisation.
    • In fact, a survey reported that 42% of asthma sufferers found mould to be a trigger.
    • About 28% of people are genetically predisposed to mould-related health problems.
    • The three most frequent indoor moulds are Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Cladosporium, home mould statistics reveal, and are the species that are the most common linked to being health irritants.
    • Mould requires the humidity level to be at 85% RH for a minimum of 6 hours to form.
    • Mould can not survive with humidity levels lower than 50% RH.
    • There are 100’s of different types of mould but generally only 5 can fully establish itself and grow rapidly indoors.
    • The most toxic moulds are those that are capable of producing chemicals called mycotoxins. Such as Stachybotrys (black mould), known to be highly toxic.
    • Scientific studies have found that more than 80 species of fungi have been associated with respiratory tract disorders, where breathing in mould can cause bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis and recurrent respiratory infections.
    • Children living in damp homes display a 20-25% increase in upper respiratory tract symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and breathing difficulties.
    • Scientific evidence has shown that asthma is more prevalent among adults living in damp homes and that asthma is three times more common in adults with mould allergy.
    • Fungal infections such as Aspergillosis and Candidosis are caused by opportunistic fungi which enter the body via open wounds, or grow on the body surface, e.g. feet, skin, hair and nails.
    • Fungal infections are highly contagious and are easily spread by direct contact.
    • Moulds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mould.
    • Mould stands out as just one of more than 200,000 fungal species. That number becomes much more impressive when you consider there are more than 100,000 individual species of mould.
    • Mould is a microorganism that constantly multiplies to live. It’s that evolutionary drive that allows the fungus to quickly spread through sheetrock and permanently damage materials.
    • The idea that a clean house can grow no mould is just a myth. Mold spores are a natural part of our environment. They’re always present even inside the cleanest homes.
    • There is no practical way to eliminate all mould and mould spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mould growth is to control moisture.

Book Your Mould Assessment Today

If you are concerned about mould in your property, or you want to know more about how you can prevent it from forming, our Ultra team can help. We offer expert advice, site surveys, demonstrations and air solutions nationwide. Expertly installed ventilation has never been so important to your health, quality of life and your property. Ensure your air remains safe and mould-free with our mould assessment and management service, or explore our other air quality assessment services.

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