Moulds are everywhere
Moulds are everywhere. They are a fundamental part of our ecosystem, and humans and mould have coexisted over millennia.
Houses, workplaces and public buildings all contain mould to some degree, whether those buildings are newly built or very old.
Mould becomes problematic, however, when it starts to grow in significant quantities in homes and workplaces.
Where does mould grow indoors?
Mould thrives in moist conditions and requires organic matter to survive. That organic matter includes many common building materials, including wood, plasterboard, wallpaper and glue.
When those materials become damp - either through condensation or penetrating damp or other kinds of water damage - the mould spores present in the environment can settle and grow.
Mould grows indoors, therefore, wherever there is sufficient moisture and sufficient nutrients for it to survive
The dampness of the UK climate combined with its older housing stock means that buildings in the UK are especially prone to mould.
Areas of buildlings with the highest moisture content - such as window frames - are often the areas most prone to mould growth, but many different parts of buildings can be affected by mould.
Because mould does not require light to grow, it often grows in dark places out of sight. This means that potentially problematic mould growth is often hard to detect.
HouseTest’s qPCR test for mould is so sensitive that it can detect mould even when it is growing out of sight or in concealed, hidden places.
