What Causes Mould On Ceilings?

• What causes mould to grow on the ceiling?
• The signs of mould growth on the ceiling
• The dangers of mould exposure
• How to remove mould from the ceiling
• Contact us today

One of the most common sites to find mould growing in your home is on the ceiling, particularly on the bathroom and bedroom ceiling. However, mould can usually grow undetected here as it is hard to see and reach. As soon as you spot the first signs of mould growth, you must have it removed to stop it becoming a major problem in your home. 

At ICE Cleaning, we offer our mould cleaning services nationwide. Our technicians have access to industry-leading mould removal equipment and can get rid of all the mould from your home, including airborne mould. They are available 24/7, 365 days a year, including bank holidays. 

Continue reading to find out more about what causes mould growth on ceilings and how to get rid of it. 

What causes mould to grow on the ceiling?

Mould is a type of fungus that grows in environments that contain excess moisture. It especially loves damp, dark, and poorly ventilated areas. 

The main cause of mould growth is condensation on the ceiling. As warm air rises, it meets with cold surfaces like your ceiling, leading to water droplets forming on the surface. This makes the ceiling damp, creating the ideal environment for mould to start growing on.  

Leaks from above floors, plumbing, or the roof can also create the damp conditions that it thrives in. 

Poor ventilation is another factor. Without proper airflow, moisture-laden air can get trapped in a property, making surfaces damp and causing condensation. This is why mould is often found in the corner of ceilings, where pockets of humid air can form. 

A lack of insulation could be making the ceiling too cold, increasing the chances of condensation forming there, too.

The signs of mould growth on the ceiling

Mould on ceilings is often mistaken for dirt or ghosting, a term used to describe discolouration caused by dust and soot particles. But mould has several unique indicators that you should keep an eye out for.

Firstly, the appearance of black, green, or brown spots is usually the main visual sign of mould. These patches might start small but can quickly spread across your ceiling, forming irregular patterns.

Secondly, if you have noticed the residents of the property suffering from allergic reactions or cold symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, or itchy eyes, this could suggest they are being exposed to mould. You can find out more about how mould affects people's health later in this blog.

A damp, musty smell is another key signal to be wary of. This odour is caused by mould colonies releasing microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) which produces the tell-tale smell. 

The dangers of mould exposure

Mould on the ceiling is not just an eyesore, but can also put people's health at risk, particularly those with respiratory problems or compromised immune systems, and elderly people and very young children.

Mould produces allergens, irritants, and sometimes mycotoxins. Exposure to mould spores can lead to a range of symptoms including an allergic reaction, like persistent coughing and sneezing, eye discomfort, skin irritation and prolonged exhaustion. In severe cases, it may even trigger asthma attacks or cause lung infections. 

Some kinds of mould release toxic chemicals which are linked to more serious health problems including sick building syndrome and fatal asthma attacks.

How to remove mould from the ceiling

While it may be tempting to tackle mould removal yourself, it's not always safe or effective. Trying to reach high spots like ceilings can put you at risk of falls and injuries. You may also struggle to thoroughly clean the mould growing in hard-to-reach areas, and any you leave behind will just grow back. 

Beyond physical harm, exposure to mould spores during cleaning is a significant health risk. Without personal protect equipment (PPE), you are highly likely to inhale and touch the mould. 

The task requires specialist equipment that most households don't have on hand, too. For example, professionals use high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuums which trap tiny particles that normal vacuums would recirculate into the air. They can eliminate all the mould in your home and give you peace of mind the mould is gone for good. 

Professionals will be trained to work at heigh so they can safely get rid of mould on the ceiling for a thorough clean, as well. They can even diagnose what is specifically causing the mould problem in your home and advise on the best ways to prevent it in the future. You can find out more about removing mould from the ceiling in this blog. 

Contact us today

We are a corporate member of Dewpoint Professional, the leading accreditors in mould removal and prevention. Every mould clean comes with a lifetime guarantee*, too, so if the mould comes back after our service, we will return for free to get rid of it. 

Get in touch by calling our team on 0208 066 0360 or sending them an email at enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk to get a free site survey and no-obligation quote for our mould remediation services. 

*subject to advisories