How To Deal With Mold And Mildew

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Molds are ubiquitous, for example, there are about 500 spores in 1 cubic meter of air. Wet and warm places are ideal conditions for the development of mycelium, therefore they find a fertile environment in a person's dwelling. The property of these organisms has been proven to release toxins and negatively affect health. The development of mold fungi in the house destroys wood, construction and decoration materials. Mold and fungal colonies must be actively combated

Varieties of molds

You can meet the presence of fungal formations anywhere: concrete, tiles, paint, wallpaper, stone, wooden floors. They are clearly visible with the naked eye, come in different colors, and have a specific smell.

Mold

Most often found in a house / apartment. At the beginning of development, it has dotted blotches of brown, green, black, blue. As it develops, it can grow significantly and cover large areas. Over time, it penetrates to great depths and completely destroys building materials and fabrics.

Woody blue

It has characteristic tones of gray-blue color, it can often be seen on the facades of wooden structures. Able to develop under paint and varnish coatings, penetrating into deep layers. The development process is accompanied by the formation of high humidity, which activates the development of other types of fungi.

Rot (rotting fungi)

It reproduces exclusively on wood. It is brown, white, bacterial. It often progresses into invisible layers, destroying them. White rot is not visually detected - only its destructive consequences are visible. Brown (dry) rot is visible as yellow-brown stripes along the grain. Dries out the affected areas, leads to splitting, cracking.

Brownie mushroom

It progresses rapidly, is capable of destroying an oak layer of 40 mm in a month. It is considered the most dangerous enemy of a wooden structure.

Reasons for education:

• uneven heating of the premises, associated with an imbalance in the heating system;

• violation of the waterproofing of the building;

• roof defect, wall leakage, panel seams;

• the use of raw building materials in the construction of a house;

• problems with the ventilation system;

• frequent washing, with drying in the room;

• numerous indoor plants, lack of ventilation.

Prevention and elimination of the causes of education

To reduce the risk of mold and mildew, it is necessary to create conditions that are unacceptable for the development of these organisms. These places can be cold bridges arising from voids in the masonry, the absence of sealant in the seams. On the balcony there is an incorrectly mounted visor, a violation of the drain.

To eliminate these factors, you need to restore the integrity of the walls and seams, lay a sealant. In a country house, measures are taken to insulate the basement, foundation, waterproofing on the walls and ceilings is being restored.

In the bathroom - ineffective ventilation, excessive humidity. To do this, it is recommended not to close the door tightly, ventilate after washing, water procedures, install a motor in the ventilation duct.

Indoor mold removal

The removal process is based on a set of actions and always starts with cleaning problem areas. A completely loose layer is removed from the affected areas with a metal brush.

If the wall is in the apartment, then a cleaning liquid is applied until the concrete pores are completely open. Next, the surface is moistened with an antiseptic, anti-mold agent. After drying, it is primed twice. Then putty, plaster, finishing.

Means for the destruction of fungus

The most effective agents are those containing creosote and chlorine, as well as those with a complex antimicrobial, fungal effect. It is recommended to dilute dry antiseptics with turpentine, white spirit.

Ready-made mixtures have a universal effect: primer, antiseptic treatment. There are powerful targeted chemical agents for concrete and wood: Xiolat, Teflex. For wallpaper, plaster, brick, plaster: Antisept, Teflex, ArmMix, Filasmuffy.

You can use folk remedies: baking soda, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, whiteness bleach. Solutions well help in the fight against fungus on wood:

• 5 liters of water, 2 glasses of 9% vinegar, 200 g of boric acid, 400 g of borax powder;

• a bucket of water, 2 tbsp. l. essences of vinegar, 500 g vitriol;

• in half a bucket of water, 250 g of vitriol, 700 g of sodium chloride are diluted.

For brick surfaces, use soda diluted to a semi-liquid state, 5% bleach, 70% hydrogen peroxide, a mixture of alcohol and glycerin (1: 1). Sparing agents are used on fabrics, upholstered furniture: alcohol solution or vodka, then soapy water or dishwashing liquid.