What is Mould: Our Comprehensive Guide

Mould is a microorganism that grows, spreads and thrives in moist, damp environments. Known for being harmful and destructive, mould spores can spread rapidly, causing health issues and property damage. Mould appears in a variety of colours–black, blue, red, or green–depending on the species. And whilst the developed mould patches are visible, the spores are completely invisible to the naked eye.

Once a colony of mould begins to grow and develop under the prerequisite conditions, it can quickly destroy surfaces, eating away at walls, floors, ceilings and furniture, often leading to costly repairs.

Beyond the physical damage caused by mould, numerous health risks are also associated with exposure to airborne spores. Inhaling mould spores can lead to respiratory problems, allergies, and even life-threatening outcomes for those with preexisting medical conditions or weakened immune systems.

What Causes Mould?

Any area prone to high humidity levels or water exposure is susceptible to mould. Once a mould colony has established itself, spores can quickly spread throughout the air, attaching to surfaces such as walls, ceilings and even onto fabrics like clothing and curtains.

Regular household activities such as cooking, laundry, and bathing contribute to humidity, potentially causing mould in residential properties.

Commercial properties, especially those with kitchens, gyms, or showers, are also at risk of mould, and site managers should take the correct measures to ensure facilities are treated or well-ventilated to protect the health of facility users.

What Causes Damp Conditions?

Damp conditions are typically caused by poor insulation or untreated water damage. If moisture is not managed correctly, it can seep into surfaces, creating an unwanted environment for mould to form.

Here are the most common causes of dampness in residential and commercial buildings:

Burst pipes.
Faulty or inadequate heating systems.
Building deterioration–damaged brickwork or roof tiles.
Rainwater issues like faulty guttering.
Subsidence leading to moisture ingress.
Condensation.

Mould & the Energy Crisis

Due to the cost of energy skyrocketing, many people are attempting to reduce their overall energy consumption. Homeowners, renters and business owners are doing whatever they can to retain heat and lower their central heating usage. These attempts at reducing energy costs may initially seem beneficial, but inadvertently, they can create prime conditions for mould to thrive.

By neglecting the notion and practice of efficient ventilation, moisture created from daily activities can stagnate and become trapped within the building. This increases the likelihood of damp conditions and, as a consequence, mould.

While reducing energy costs is important, taking the correct steps to prevent mould is equally as crucial. If the correct steps to prevent mould aren’t undertaken, the cost of damages could be many times higher than your energy bills.

How to Prevent Mould?

Mould prevention is vital in creating a safe environment in both residential and commercial buildings. Keeping humidity levels between 30% and 60% is considered healthy, but ensuring humidity stays below 50% is how you can deter mould from growing and spreading.

Here are some practical ways to prevent mould:

Improve Ventilation: The first step to preventing mould would be to ensure optimal airflow throughout the property by opening windows and using fans.

Extractor Fans: Installing extractor fans in areas prone to moisture, such as kitchens and bathrooms, can aid in removing excess humidity.
Air Purifiers: Can help prevent mould by filtering out airborne mould spores, reducing their ability to settle and grow on surfaces. Air purifiers can improve air circulation and remove excess moisture, creating a less hospitable environment for mould.
Dehumidifiers: Ideal for rooms prone to dampness, dehumidifiers are a great way to control humidity in homes and commercial properties.
Humidistats & MVHR Systems: Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery systems can ventilate a property and also recover heat, making them energy efficient, all while controlling humidity levels.
VSC1000 Protection: The VSC1000 is a translucent film that can bond to any surface. Microbes, including mould spores, are killed on contact, and one application lasts up to 12 months. This is a cost-effective solution to prevent microbial growth and mould colonisation.

Final Thoughts

If left untreated and permitted to spread, mould can develop into a costly, health-risking issue that can affect the structural integrity of both residential and commercial buildings.

For businesses and owners of commercial spaces, mould growth can damage inventory and equipment, lead to expensive repairs, and, most importantly, affect the health of customers and employees.

For residential buildings, landlords have a duty of care to their tenants, and failing to address mould in rental properties can result in hefty fines and compensation claims. Taking immediate action to remove mould and manage humidity levels to prevent it from forming is essential for maintaining comfortable living and working conditions.

With over 35 years of experience dealing with mould-related concerns, Ultra Protect offers a trusted mould prevention service to ensure residential and commercial spaces are safe for those who frequent them.

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how to choose a good air purifier for your office

Our Guide To Choosing The Right Air Purifier For Your Business

By Andy Potter • February 11, 2025

The workplace is where your employees spend the majority of their time during the week, and having great air quality is crucial not only for their health but also for their productivity. Improving the air quality in your office minimises the risk of your employees having to take sick leave, as it reduces the level of respiratory diseases and allergens in the air. Investing in a high-quality air purifier is one of the best ways to improve the air quality in your workspace. There’s no shortage of air purifiers on the market, but how do you know which is best? This is our comprehensive explainer guide to why you should invest in an air purifier and the factors you must keep at the forefront of your mind during your search. The Importance Of Indoor Air Quality In The Workplace Indoor air quality (IAQ) is vital in the workplace, and it refers to the quality of the air within indoor spaces. Poor indoor air quality correlates directly with the amount of sick days taken in workplaces. Having a poor IAQ can cause a number of different detrimental health side effects, including allergies, headaches, dizziness, nausea and respiratory problems. The World Health Organisation has called air quality “the world’s largest single environmental health risk,” so there is definite cause for concern regarding your workplace's IAQ. Not only is it vital for ensuring workplace health and safety, but it’s also crucial for maintaining a great reputation in your industry. What Kinds Of Rules & Regulations Are In Place For Workplace IAQ? There are a number of different rules around IAQ that are set out in the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulations. These regulations state that all workplaces must be ventilated with enough fresh air to prevent ill health. The HSE recommends a fresh air supply of 5-8 litres per second per person but in commercial buildings, 10 litres per second per person is the recommendation. Investing in air purifiers for business is a great way to ensure that you are always compliant with the most current IAQ regulations. When it comes to air quality, the air introduced into a workplace needs to be free of impurities or airborne diseases that may cause illness. But with so many air purifiers on the market, how do you know which is best for your business? Choosing An Air Purifier: Everything You Need To Know When it comes to air purifiers , there are a few things you have to be aware of in order to get the most out of your model – there’s no point investing in an air purifier if you’re not going to see any benefits. These are some of the most important things you need to be aware of when you’re looking for an air purification system that will work for your space. 1. Room Size Knowing the room size is crucial if you’re looking for an air purifier for your workplace. There’s no point investing in a model that isn’t large enough when you calculate your air volume. 2. Your Problem Knowing your problem is key to figuring out which purifier is going to work best for your business. First uncover if your IAQ problems are to do with viruses, mould, smells or something else entirely so that you can tailor your solutions to best suit your needs. 3. Your Needs Once you’ve got your room size and your problem pinpointed, you can begin to look for an air purifier that creates the correct number of Air Changes per Hour (ACH), if this isn’t able to be achieved, your air purifier won’t perform. You also have to be aware of the types of filters that you need as this can have a big impact on ACH. It’s crucial to choose a model that has the right sensor for your needs, otherwise, the auto mode becomes redundant. For example, if smells or dust are the major problem you’re facing, having a model with an in-built CO2 detector isn’t necessary. Types Of Businesses That Can Benefit From Air Purifiers There are a number of businesses that benefit from air purifiers and it’s not just office spaces. Hotels, nursing homes, construction sites and student accommodation are all examples of spaces where IAQ is crucial. Hotel rooms, student accommodation, and offices that lack ventilation can experience issues with both air quality and mould, so ensuring you have an air purification process in place is vital to ensure the safety of employees, guests, and residents alike. Office spaces may benefit from ultra-quiet models that can be on at all times without interrupting telephone calls or important meetings. Whilst hotels and student accommodations may benefit from a wall model that has both air purification and dehumidification in a single unit so you can improve ventilation, prevent mould and improve air quality. Types Of Filters For Your Workplace HEPA HEPA air filters can trap 99.97% of airborne particles that are 0.3 microns or smaller. They remove allergens like dust, mould, pollen and dander. They can also effectively remove smoke and fumes. HEPA filters are great for use in hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, and other areas where constant air purification is an absolute must. Carbon Filters Carbon filters use activated carbon to remove smells, gasses and pollutants from the air. They’re great for removing smells from smoke as well as removing volatile organic compounds like paint, cleaning products and construction materials. They are also effective at removing gasses from acetone and paint fumes, so they are great for construction sites. UC-V UC-V purifiers use Ultraviolet-C light to eliminate airborne pathogens like bacteria, viruses and mould spores. They are great for air purification in areas where reducing airborne pathogens is vital. The UV-C light is combined with filtration technologies like HEPA or carbon filters to neutralise and remove any potential contaminants. Air Purifier Placement Placement matters when it comes to choosing an air purifier for your workplace. You need to ensure it is off the floor, which saves space and ensures that it doesn’t just get unplugged and forgotten about by an employee. Wall models are a great option for businesses as they can be wired into an electrical circuit to be on 24/7. These are perfect for workplaces as you can “set and forget” your air purifier and rest assured that the IAQ in your space is in line with UK regulations. They’re also great as they save space and are a discreet option if aesthetics are important to you. Ceiling models (with noise reduction) are another popular option for workplaces. They can be easily added to the correct positions so that the room's individuals benefit directly from the clean airflow. How Can Ultra Protect Help You? If you’ve been wondering how to choose a good air purifier for your business, our team at Ultra Protect is here to help. In addition to our range of air purifiers, we also have InBiot , a smart solution that monitors and enhances your building's indoor air quality in real-time. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your current air purification process or you’re moving to a new space and want to start fresh, we can provide you with bespoke solutions that will work for your business. Contact us today for a consultation or for more information on how you can effectively improve the IAQ in your workplace.