Mould is a common issue for older homes, especially this time of year. Warm interiors mixed with a chilly exterior make it much easier for mould to grow, even if you aren’t having any issues with damp in your home.
If you catch mould early, a quick spray and a scrub gets rid of it. But this is a temporary fix, and if it’s spreading quickly your surface wipes won’t be able to keep up.
Mould treatment paint is a much more permanent solution, removing the mould from the surface and preventing it from returning for years.
What causes Mould?
Mould is a result of warm air hitting a cold surface. The moisture in the air is left as tiny droplets, which can make many materials a breeding ground for mould and mildew. This is why it’s more common to find mould around the outside walls of your home, near windows and any drafty areas that cold air finds its way through.
This can be an issue even in more modern homes. If ventilation is poor mould can still form. You might not notice mould is growing until you’re having a clear out or a rearrange, mould loves to grow behind furniture or up in your attic.
Interior walls are where you’ll find most mould, but if left unchecked it can grow on skirting boards, doors and door frames, shelves, and even fabric furniture! And that’s just inside your home. Outside mould is harder to keep on top of, it can quickly ruin exterior furniture, sheds, fences, and masonry.
Mould can cause you a lot of headaches. Don’t worry, we have a solution.
What is Anti-Mould Paint?
Specialist anti mould paint is designed to kill mould and prevent more from growing. It has a thick compound and contains chemicals that create an impenetrable barrier between your surfaces and the moist air.
If you find that mould is growing no matter what you do, mould proof paint is a much more affordable solution than trying to improve ventilation in your home, and much less annoying than living in a cold house.
However, before you start shopping for mould treatment paint, think about whether it’s 100% necessary. Read on and we’ll explain.
The Best Paint for Mould Prevention
A high-quality paint, like the ones we provide, has anti mould properties that prevent mould from growing. If paired with a primer (which is always recommended except when using some specialist paints), you create a similar barrier between the surface and moist air.
This is beneficial as even the best anti mould paint may be limited in both shade and sheen, meaning you have to settle for a colour or style that doesn’t match what you imagined for your home, or spend ages trying to find one that matches.
Oil-based paints are great for mould prevention, as the oil in the compound makes the surface resist moisture more than a water-based paint. However, water-based products like our interior emulsion paint are easier to clean, if some stubborn mould does manage to grow.
Mould is most common in bathrooms and kitchens, as cooking and running hot taps and your shower makes the air a lot moister. Our kitchen emulsion paint and bathroom emulsion paint are both designed to repel moisture, keeping the walls, tiles, and other surfaces completely mould-free, without the need for specialist mould prevention paint or anti fungal treatment.
Best Anti Mould Paint For Outside Surfaces
Protecting outside surfaces from mould can also be done with our high-quality paints. Since mould can grow more freely outside, and you’re less likely to clean it on the regular, applying a few layers of mould resistant paint makes it one less thing to worry about, and your garden and outside areas will be looking great for years to come.
We have paint available for all exterior surfaces, and each product has at least some mould-resistant properties. They’re all designed to repel water, especially our masonry paint for patios and driveways, and dirt and grime can be cleaned away with very little elbow grease required.
Our exterior acrylic masonry paint, acrylic cladding, and acrylic roof tile paint all keep mould away. Acrylic paints also give you the widest range of colours and sheens, and when it comes to colour, we go one step further.
These acrylic paints are part of our colour system. Simply enter a British Standard or RAL code of the colour you want, and we’ll mix it exactly how you want. When decorating your home, you shouldn’t be limited by colour, so we provide you with any shade you can imagine.
Can You Paint Over Anti Mould Paint?
If you’ve already used some anti mould paint and it has served its purpose well, you can’t paint directly on top of it. This is true for most specialist and mould resistant paints, as their chemical compounds make it nearly impossible for new paint or primer to stick.
For the best results when painting, you should strip/sand away all previous layers. All paints are designed to stick to the surface you’re painting, not other layers of paint. This is timing consuming but if you ignore this advice, you’ll have a streaky and uneven finish.
When painting a mouldy surface it’s essential that you clean it as thoroughly as possible first. Those stubborn black dots can show through thinner paint, as well as any scuffs or scratches on the surface. Make sure the surface is clean and dust free; you should also repair any damage you can.
Keeping Mould at Bay with Paintmaster
Starting a new painting project can be a daunting task. You size up your interior walls, order your paint and painting accessories, and are ready to get to work. However, if you start to move your furniture out of the way and find patches of mould that were previously hidden, your meticulously planned strategy is ruined.
Preventing mould growing in your home is essential for your health, resale value, and to maximise how good each room looks. By using the right paint from day one, you can reduce the risk of mould, and you’ll be ready to take it on if any sneaks in.
