Common bathroom mistake creates mould and could cost up to £1,500 to fix – the £1.19 trick to avoid it

WINTER brings with it the increased risk of mould and damp build-up – and one mistake could be making the issue worse.

Mould is caused by condensation from warm air hitting a cool window or other cold surface.

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It can be a big problem in your bathroom, particularly if you’re a large family producing lots of steam.

There are ways to combat the issue though, including trickle vents which sit at the top of your windows and allow a constant flow of fresh air into a bathroom, and stale air out.

The devices are useful if you don’t want to keep your windows open all the time and can save you from wasting heat produced inside.

But, if you’ve got any of the gadgets in your bathroom, you’ll want to avoid one major mistake which could prove costly.

Debris and detritus build up in trickle vents mean air will be blocked from passing through them, leading to condensation build-up.

Winston Davis, director of Avenue Heating, said if the problem deteriorates and you end up with mould, you could have to pay up to £1,500 to get your bathroom redecorated.

And it could cost even more if you need to get tiles replaced.

He explained: “Because the openings in trickle vents are only small, it’s really important to make sure that there is regular cleaning taking place to make sure that the air can pass through the vent.

“If the vents are blocked, this can lead to damp and mould developing, which not only looks unsightly and costs money to redecorate, it can also be a health hazard, particularly for those affected by conditions such as asthma, leading to increased chances of chest infections, colds and flus.

“The cost of redecorating a 9m² bathroom could be anywhere from £800-£1,500, but if tiles need to be removed it could be thousands more.”

Winston also issued a word of warning for households with plants on exterior walls.

Flora like wisteria creeping up your property can lead to vents or windows being blocked, causing air circulation issues, so you’ll want to make sure it’s kept well trimmed.

How to clean a trickle vent

Winston said cleaning a trickle vent is easy enough with a good mould and mildew remover, which you can buy from as little as £1.19 at a number of retailers including Sainsbury’s, B&M and Wilko.

You just have to spray some of the liquid on to a cloth and then use it to wipe down the vents.

You can open trickle vents up and give them a more thorough clean as well, Winston said.

If you do open up the vent, make sure you vacuum any debris out and clean the area with a cloth dipped in hot water. Then dry it off with paper towel.

How else to tackle mould in your home

Giving your trickle vents a thorough clean every once in a while is one way to keep mould from spreading through your home.

Another is by trying to put your heating on from time to time to ensure condensation doesn’t build up in your walls, Winston said.

Make sure your thermostat is set to 15 degrees or higher though, as anything below this means you’re at risk of damp or mould.

Next, try to limit the amount of clothes you leave drying on any radiators.

Warm air rising from them can take any moisture from the clothes with it, making preexisting mould issues worse.

Lastly, even if you have trickle vents, you’ll want to make sure you don’t rely on them alone to keep your bathroom ventilated.

You should still occasionally open windows to make sure a good amount of cold air is allowed inside, keeping condensation at bay.

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This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk