The dangers of mould and mildew

Mould and mildew can be a real problem in motorhomes, and if it takes hold, hard to eliminate, proving time consuming and costly to rectify.

In addition, mould and mildew consist of spores which release into the atmosphere, affecting the air you breathe. It is therefore vitally important to clean your motorhome frequently and thoroughly.

Firstly, how do you know whether your motorhome has mould or mildew?

• If you smell a musty odour, there is a high probability it is mould or mildew.

• If you can actually see mould, then you know for definite that you have a problem. Unsightly black mould is common and forms as a result of condensation; usually found in ventilation ducts, showers, window sills, kitchens, etc.

Why is mould and mildew a problem?

The bad news is, most of the toxic mould floating around in the air is invisible to the naked eye but could seriously affect your health. Without clean air, the body cannot function properly.

Most mould is microscopic fungi that grows on a host surface; for example, a loaf of bread or a kitchen cabinet. Although a small amount of mould and mildew won’t harm you, it becomes a bigger problem when the mould spores start to increase, causing respiratory problems, common allergic reaction symptoms and nervous system disorders.

Mould lives off any organic matter and loves a warm, humid environment like bathroom walls, window sills, ceilings and wallpaper. Mildew, which is a form of mould or fungus, grows in living spaces where there is a high level of moisture, for example a shower wall. It comes in through the walls, windows, doors and carpets.

Moisture in a motorhome can have many causes; spills, leaks, damage, overflows, condensation and high humidity are just a few examples.

The good news is that by eliminating moisture from inside the motorhome, growth can be reduced or eliminated.

Ten top tips to prevent mould and mildew

It is a good idea to print out the tips mentioned above and keep them in your motorhome as a reminder of what to do if you notice the first signs of mould or mildew appearing. A PDF version of this advice can be printed from the link at the bottom of this page. The problem of mould and mildew often takes hold over the winter period when your motorhome is locked up and stored. Even if your motorhome is used year round and never put into storage, it is not immune from mould and mildew.

If you can, open up your motorhome regularly during periods of inactivity and ventilate it, always actioning a really good spring clean before the next season starts.

Keeping on top of mould and mildew will not only preserve the health of you and your family, but also your precious motorhome. As always, make sure that you have good insurance cover so that if damp does take hold of your motorhome and you find yourself with a costly repair bill then you will be covered.

Call Club Care Insurance today on 01277 243060 or get an online quote!