Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to dealing with mould in your conservatory.
Mould is a fungus that, left untreated, can cause widespread damage, especially when it forms into dry rot. The result is a huge bill and having to replace floorboards and other materials.
Mould isn’t just costly to fix, it’s also inconvenient and worse still, bad for your health (especially if any of the family suffers from a respiratory condition).
So, what are the main actions you can take to prevent mould from forming in your conservatory? Well, we’ve outlined some of them right here:
Insulate the roof
Most leaks in your conservatory will come from the roof (as that’s the part that’s battered most by the rain).
To make the roof stronger and more water-tight, insulate it well. This will also make your conservatory cosier to sit in during the winter months.
Fix any form of leak
Whether the leak is from the roof, flooring or at the door of your conservatory, get it fixed ASAP. The bigger and longer the duration of the leak, the more likely you are to get mould. It’s as simple as that.
If you’re not sure what to do then get in as an expert. It’s too important to just plug up the leak with what’s available and promise yourself you’ll get around to sorting it for good one day.
Ventilate often
When it’s sunny, leave the conservatory windows open. Not only will you receive some natural sunlight directly onto your skin (great for Vitamin D), but you will also lessen the amount of water in the atmosphere, helping to prevent mould build-up.
Get a heater
Not only will adding heating during the winter months make your conservatory more pleasant in winter or late into the evening, but it will also help in the fight against mould.
Dampness breeds mould, heat prevents dampness from forming. You don’t have to go the lengths of getting storage heating, a heater on wheels will often do nicely.
Curb condensation
Conservatories have so many windows that it’s not unusual to spot the odd bit of condensation now and again. Trickle vents built into the windows can prevent this. So too can changing to double glazing.
And because they hold so much moisture, plants can add to condensation. It’s best then to keep greenery to a minimum or choose plants that absorb moisture, such as the Boston fern.
Use a Dehumidifier
If a problem with mould persists, despite trying all of the above, then a dehumidifier can help dry out the walls, ceiling, and flooring of your conservatory. That’s because it sucks up moisture, providing a much drier environment.
Chris Michael from @meacouk supplier of dehumidifiers and air purifiers, says: “A damp house means damp air, so you’d simply be heating up the wet air molecules, rather than raising the room temperature if you use a heater in a damp room. A room will feel warmer if you are heating dry air.”
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