Your Guide to the Best Anti-Mould Paint

A mould problem is every homeowner's worst nightmare. If mould growth is left for too long, serious damage can occur to both your home and your possessions. The best course of action is to tackle the mould head-on, while also taking steps to prevent future growth. In this guide from Building Materials Nationwide, we’ll cover the most common causes of mould build-up inside and outside the house, and how anti-mould paint can provide the best solution.  

Why Do Walls and Ceilings Become Mouldy?

Mould grows as a result of excess moisture. The source can be internal or external – mould on the outside of your home is commonly caused by faulty drainage or pipework, cracked brickwork, and overly porous walls absorbing rainfall. This can cause rising damp and penetrating damp, which can be tricky to diagnose and costly to remove. Exterior mould can also show up on masonry and wooden fences.

Mould inside your home is most common in bathrooms and kitchens but can be found throughout the house, depending on the main culprit. Black mould is an especially sinister form of fungal growth that can seriously harm your health. Winter is prime time for mould growth in the home, as cold walls will take on more moisture if the spaces are not properly ventilated. In these colder months, it is tempting to keep the heating on and the doors and windows shut tight, but it is important to open windows every now and then to maintain healthy airflow.

Preventing Interior Mould Growth with Anti-Mould Paint

If you find mould within your house, your first step should be to find the cause and put a stop to it if possible. After this, anti-mould paint is your best course of action. Anti-mould paint comes in a variety of compositions, including water-based solutions for odourless and non-toxic protection, and resin-based anti-mould acrylic for heavy-duty mould prevention. You will also find several mould removal sprays on the market which can be good for clearing small patches before painting. There are also additives you can mix in with paints that come in the colours you specifically want.

All forms of anti-mould paints have been designed to kill and prevent mould in walls and ceilings. Some formulas contain biocides which kill mould directly, others are carefully tailored to reduce moisture build-up which stops mould from growing and spreading.

Can You Paint Over Mould?

Painting over mould with ordinary paint will temporarily hide the problem, but will only act to put off the inevitable. If the cause is not remedied, new mould will grow over the top of the paintwork, or the old growths will come through over time. Instead, properly clean your walls using a mould removal spray or DIY solution (1 part bleach and 10 parts water), before applying your anti-mould paint as a primer or an undercoat. You can then add a top coat of your chosen paint.

Anti-Mould vs Anti-Condensation Paint

When shopping for solutions for mould problems, it is easy to become confused about what product does what. Though condensation is a key cause of mould growth inside and outside your home, anti-condensation paint will not kill mould. It will, however, effectively prevent it. Applying anti-condensation paint to certain problem areas in your home can save you time and money in the future when mould begins to grow.

Anti-mould paint is specifically formulated using fungicides that effectively kill mould spores and stop them from spreading.

Anti-Mould Paint at Your Fingertips

Our aim at Building Materials Nationwide is to be the first port of call for builders, with an extensive range of industry-standard materials and supplies available for delivery across the UK. Our range extends far beyond our website - we have access to a wide network of suppliers which allows us to provide any building material in any quantity, anti-mould paint or otherwise. When you sign up for a trade account you’ll be connected with a dedicated account manager and gain access to competitive trade pricing and express nationwide delivery.

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