The ugly blackish green speckles of mould at the corner of window casings, in bathrooms, and behind furnishings on exterior walls are such a common sight in parts of the UK that it doesn’t always raise an eyebrow, least of all concern. It’s only in recent years that housing advocacy organisations have successfully bought the chronic issue of mould and damp into the public eye.
The Black Mould Health Crisis
A growing number of landlords, housing developers, homeowners, and tenants are now starting to take the issue extremely seriously. As well they should – because untreated black mould in the home has now been linked to a range of unpleasant and dangerous health concerns. Prolonged exposure to black mould can, for instance, cause toxic mould syndrome, frequent headaches, fatigue, respiratory conditions, and even cognitive impairments such as difficulty concentrating. People with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to these effects.
The issue is also worse during the winter, when homes are frequently colder and damper than at other times of year, and when windows are closed, reducing ventilation. Classic ‘seasonal symptoms’, such as persistent coughing and sneezing, chronic nasal congestion, itchy, red, or watery eyes, and flareups of eczema and skin irritation, are sometimes attributable to the presence of black mould in the home.
Mould – Whose Problem Is It?
In October 2024, the Housing Ombudsman published a report called Spotlight On Damp And Mould – It’s Not A Lifestyle, which puts the process that private landlords deal with mould and damp problems in their properties under close scrutiny.
The report identified two systemic issues from their findings.
1) Landlords relied too heavily on residents to report and resolve issues of damp in their rental properties, and
2) Many landlords failed to take adequate responsibility to resolve complaints successfully.
Our Position
Negligence and a lack of awareness are undoubtedly problems in the private rental, student rental, and social housing sectors. However, in our experience, most landlords are diligent and many are extremely proactive in addressing issues of damp in their properties.
In our experience, while mould and damp are certainly a huge problem, pointing the finger of blame here or there only goes so far to resolve it. Ultimately, the chronic issue of mould goes deeper than the actions of either landlords or tenants, resting on the typical bathroom set up in most British households. The question we would have liked to have seen in the report is ‘how much is it really in anyone’s control if the way that bathrooms and shower rooms are designed is itself the root cause of endemic damp?’
A Failure Of Design
Bathrooms and shower rooms are invariably the dampest areas in any property, making them prime areas for mould growth. This is exacerbated by the design flaws that characterise many bathrooms, from older properties right through to the newest new builds. These include:
- Inadequate ventilation – many properties rely on small or poorly positioned windows as the primary source of airflow for the bathroom, causing steam from hot showers and baths to linger in the room.
- Insufficient waterproofing – a lot of bathrooms lack adequate waterproofing around the shower enclosure, floor, tiling, and walls. A single crack in the grouting or a tile can allow water to seep through, creating hidden damp spots where mould can flourish.
- Poor sealing – poorly sealed joints are another issue in many bathrooms, with tiny gaps around showers, sinks, and bathtubs allowing water to soak into the walls and floorboards, creating a pool of moisture that harbours mould growth.
- Shower trays and poor drainage – many bath and shower rooms are prone to water pooling due to flat or badly designed shower trays. Without adequate sloping, the water doesn’t drain away quickly enough, leaving standing water. Combined with poor ventilation, this contributes to prime mould growing conditions.
- Inadequate use of mould resistant materials – many paints, drywall, and wooden products used in conventional bath and shower rooms are not equipped to handle the constant exposure to humidity, heat, and moisture. As a result, the materials can quickly degrade and harbour mildew and mould when wet.
Shower Pods: Part Of The Solution
These design issues will not go away overnight. However, the issues of water pooling and leakage characteristic of many bathrooms can be resolved by swapping out the conventional tile and tray shower cubicle for a hygienic, leak free shower pod. Shower pods do not require a separate tray, grouting, sealant, or tiled surrounds, so do not have the same weak points for mould as conventional cubicles.
They are also designed for efficient drainage, reducing the risk of standing water and minimising humidity in the room. When combined with the antimicrobial and easy-clean GRP finish of our shower pods, our showering solutions make it easier for tenants and landlords to maintain high standards of hygiene and keep on top of mould before it takes hold.
Find Out More
To find out more about the benefits of our shower pods, please contact one of the experienced team at Advanced Showers today by clicking here.
Image source: Canva
