The only thing worse than mold in an apartment is uninvited guests. However, the latter are easy to send out if they refer to illness or urgent matters. But with the first one you will have to tinker quite a bit - your illness does not bother her at all, nor does her work schedule, which is crammed to the limit with important issues. It is surprising that a modern person who actively uses the Internet and other information technologies can easily be taken by surprise by an elementary manifestation of pathogenic flora. We firmly believe in the validity of the aphoristic message “forewarned is forearmed,” so we offer you specific solutions on what to do if you suddenly find mold on the wall in your apartment (how to get rid of mold in a private house). And also, how to say goodbye to it once and for all: according to statistics, the reappearance of harmful microorganisms is observed in approximately half of the cases. We collected both classic home methods for eliminating mold, which are probably older than the October Revolution, as well as more advanced ones, using modern special antiseptics. In general, after reading this material, all the trump cards in the fight against unwanted microorganisms should be in your hands - all that remains is to use them wisely.
- 5 causes of mold;
- Objective danger to the body;
- We use home remedies;
- Comparison of special mold removal products;
- What to do to prevent disputes from reappearing;
- Conclusion.
What is this
Fungus and mold that “attack” the walls of a building are colonies of simple microorganisms that become visible due to their obvious abundance. They are characterized by high vitality, the ability to reproduce due to moisture in the atmosphere, and no need for sunlight. Thanks to these properties, microorganisms grow very rapidly, and the inhabitants of the house are faced with the question: “How to remove fungus from the walls in the apartment?”
Fungus and mold
Types of mold
Mold fungi can live and develop on various surfaces: concrete, wood, fabrics, stone, varnish and paint. Under favorable conditions, several types of harmful microorganisms can attack one apartment at once. The most famous are:
- White house mushroom. A dangerous enemy of wooden buildings, capable of destroying the structure as quickly as possible with rapid development. Very difficult to destroy;
- Black mold. Appears in the form of dark blots of various colors. It grows rapidly, filling the space with a mass of spores. It is considered the most dangerous mushroom for human health;
- Blue fungus. Gives walls a grayish-blue tint. Capable of deforming the paintwork, drawing moisture from the inside;
- White mold. Capable of forming on various materials and damaging them as quickly as possible;
- Actinomycetes. They soften and gradually destroy the wood;
Rotting fungi. Characteristic only for wood materials. There are dry and wet rot. The first type of damage manifests itself in a brown tint, compression and splitting of the wood. Damage to wet rot is indicated by dark bands and subsequent cracks.
Fungus on the walls
Why does fungus appear on walls?
When we notice that the wall of a room is covered in fungus, which can rapidly expand its domain, we must first ask what caused its appearance?
Most often we notice this problem in the bathroom, in the attic or, for example, in the garage. This leads to the conclusion that parasitic microorganisms “love” places with excess humidity, which can be caused by the following reasons:
- faulty ventilation system;
- improper installation of insulation;
- severe freezing of walls.
For example, the bathroom often creates the most favorable conditions for problems to arise due to constant dampness. It is the corners of the walls that are most susceptible to this, as they are poorly ventilated. But fungal plaque on the walls most often appears due to freezing of the room.
What other reasons are there for the appearance of fungus on walls?
There are other reasons why these dangerous parasites can appear in your home. If leaks suddenly appear in those places where the floor and walls connect (for example, in an apartment or house on the first floor, under which there is a basement), then we can assume a violation of the horizontal insulation of the foundation.
Sometimes moisture forms along water or sewer pipes. In addition, the pipes themselves may leak. In some cases, the cause of the problem may be a leaking gutter or downspout. It is important not to miss this moment and start acting correctly.
Removing the cause of the fungus is a primary task that will help achieve an effective result. True, it is not always possible for someone inexperienced in this matter to accurately determine the cause the first time. Therefore, it is better when specialized companies do this.
Types of fungus
This attack can affect almost any surface and material: stone, paint, wood, concrete, textiles, etc. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that this problem is very common.
The most common types of these pathogenic microorganisms that “live” in houses and apartments include:
- White mold. It spreads quickly and affects different types of materials.
- Black mold is perhaps the most dangerous to human health. In addition, they usually penetrate quite deeply into the structure of the material. Appears on surfaces in the form of brown, green or black spots.
- Rotting fungi. They only affect wood, which under their influence changes color and is destroyed.
- Blue fungi. It spoils wood, even varnished wood.
- White brownies. The spores of this microorganism pose a great danger to wooden structures.
- Actinomycetes. It is a hybrid species mixed with algae.
It doesn’t matter what type of parasitic microorganisms a person is “lucky” to encounter. It is urgent to get rid of fungal spores on the wall, as they can cause a lot of trouble even in a short period of time.
The danger of fungus in the home
Fungi in apartments and houses are like poison for everyone who is forced to constantly stay in such premises. Easily dispersed in space even due to slight movement of air masses, their spores settle everywhere: on furniture, equipment, plants, carpets and human skin. Inhaling air contaminated with microspores can cause many problems. The least of the troubles are signs of intoxication, expressed by nausea, headache, dizziness, etc. Then - more. You can develop chronic allergies, bronchial asthma and very serious, even incurable diseases. Spores of this microorganism are especially dangerous for children and the elderly. The worst thing is that many people who are often ill for an unknown reason may not even know why their health has become so weak. It is necessary to get rid of black mold in the apartment and other types of fungus lurking in the house as quickly as possible.
What to do about the problem
The most important thing to do in this case is to get rid of the causes of the fungus. Often people try to deal with the problem on their own using so-called home remedies. And very often they continue to face the same problem again and again. And all because there is no specific knowledge, skills and special tools that determine the success of the procedure. You can try to remove the fungus from the wall yourself. But you should prepare for the fact that you will need some tools, special tools and, possibly, significant physical effort. That is why it would be most advisable to contact the company’s specialists who provide this type of service.
Causes of mold
In order to understand how to remove fungus from the walls of an apartment, it is worth deciding on the reasons for its formation. The appearance of microorganisms can be caused by several factors:
- Room humidity is above 60%;
- Lack or insufficient heating in the house;
- Small thickness of the walls, unable to protect them from freezing in frosty weather;
- Improper laying of bricks or joining of reinforced concrete slabs;
- Uninsulated window slopes;
- Poor quality installation of plastic windows;
- Little or no air circulation;
- Poor quality waterproofing of foundations in private buildings.
Negative effects of mold on humans
Treating walls against mold is required not only to protect the room. The fungus poses a considerable danger to the human body. It constantly releases microscopic spores, which, spreading throughout the house, land on the skin and fly into the lungs.
The spores contain toxic substances, contact with which can cause serious problems for people. The list of ailments caused by mold is quite extensive: runny nose, headache, allergies, asthma, persistent cough, nausea. Contact of moldy fungus with the elderly, children and those with a weak immune system is particularly dangerous.
There's one mushroom here
Why is mold in an apartment dangerous?
Mold is an overgrown colony of pathogenic fungi. These microorganisms cause many infectious diseases and are extremely dangerous for humans:
- Chronic inhalation of fungal particles or spores leads to the colonization of microorganisms in the mouth and nose, upper and lower respiratory tract. Infection of the body in combination with reduced immunity causes the development of acute inflammatory diseases (bronchitis, pneumonia).
- Particles of fungal colonies are able to move with air currents and can settle in the external auditory canal. At the same time, mycoses develop, which are quite difficult to get rid of.
- Mold can get on food products (through hands, household items, and pets). Infection of the body in this case leads to stool disturbances, abdominal pain, and dyspeptic symptoms.
Many pathogenic fungi can cause a persistent decrease in immunity, especially in patients with chronic diseases.
A decrease in the strength of the immune response inevitably leads to the rapid addition of bacterial flora and viral infections. Some types of mushrooms are toxic to the human liver and, when ingested, cause the destruction of liver cells.
Prevention
Mold forms in damp places. It can be found especially often in the bathroom, in the joints between the tiles.
A good preventive measure against mold and mildew on walls is to ensure an optimal microclimate. If natural ventilation is not enough, it is recommended to install special equipment in the ventilation duct.
You should not “throw” wet things around the apartment. They need to be dried unfolded on a special stand or on a stretched rope.
Cold bridges can trigger the formation of mold. External insulation will help prevent their occurrence. The discovery of fungus on the balcony usually indicates defects in the installation of the drain and poor-quality waterproofing.
If you find places where the paint has begun to peel off and swell, it is necessary to clean them from the paint coating, treat them with an antiseptic composition and apply a new coat of paint.
Fungus caused by leaks
Mold damage and first aid
Different types of mold can cause varying degrees of harm to the human body - from mild illness and allergies to severe pulmonary diseases, poisoning and even cancer.
- Yellow mold is the most dangerous, as it contains the poison aflatoxin, which is resistant to heat treatment and is very dangerous for humans.
- This poison can cause asthma, bronchitis, and cardiovascular diseases.
- White and green mold are not so dangerous, but they can also cause allergies and poisoning.
- Black mold can cause severe lung diseases, including cancer.
- Some types of mold can even cause death.
In case of mold damage, treatment is carried out with absorbent substances (for the gastrointestinal tract) and antifungal drugs. It is also necessary to support the functioning of the kidneys and liver and restore the intestinal microflora. For this purpose, special medications and a diet with the addition of natural antioxidants are prescribed.
Features of work on various surfaces
Treating apartment walls against fungus and mold has its own nuances depending on the type of surface.
Painted canvases must be removed from cracked and swollen paint. If this is not done, then the spores hidden under the coating will sooner or later appear on the surface again.
Things are a little more complicated with suspended ceilings and drywall. The porous surface allows the fungus to penetrate deeply. In particularly difficult situations, the affected surface must be completely replaced.
If the wallpaper is covered with mold, it is also necessary to remove it and then treat the wall with an antiseptic.
Fungus and mold
The most dangerous types of microorganisms
When living in an apartment or private house, you can encounter 3 types of microorganisms, namely: • Mold • Blue mold • Rot
Mold is found on materials made of stone, concrete or coated with paint. This type of fungus differs in appearance. They appear on the surface in spots or dots. Their coloring can be black, blue, green or brown. Mold can destroy any building material to the ground; it is enough to create suitable conditions for this.
Blue stain is dangerous for any building materials with a high density. Such fungi penetrate into the structure of the product, forming small channels behind them. Due to the increased humidity in the room, they easily “eat” their way into neighboring elements, and this affects the strength of the entire structure. Coniferous wood species, especially pine, are most susceptible to the effects of these microorganisms.
Of the building materials, only lumber can rot Rot can be: white, brown and bacterial. For wooden buildings, white microorganisms are the most dangerous. They are able to “eat through” a board 40 millimeters thick in just a month.
Brown rot creates cracks in the lumber, allowing moisture to penetrate more deeply. Once the integrity of a wooden element is damaged, its strength is significantly reduced, and the area around the crack darkens. As for bacterial rot, it affects the material from the inside.
White rot is the main enemy of all lumber. For this reason, more than one residential building was burned. At a time when there were no antiseptic solutions, houses with white rot were simply burned so that it would not spread to neighboring buildings.
You can also find wet and dry types of rot. The first forms black, brown or yellow stripes on the surface of the wood. Immediately after their appearance, cracking of lumber occurs. Dry rot turns wood brown and delaminates along or across the grain.
Sequence of repair activities
Before you start planning and thinking about how to remove fungus from the walls, it is recommended to carry out a number of preparatory activities. Porous surfaces require special attention.
- Work begins with removing old wallpaper;
- Then you need to thoroughly clean the “sick” area with an iron spatula or brush, completely removing the loose plaster;
- Treat the canvas with a cleaning composition to open the cement pores;
- Apply the anti-mold and mildew agent on the walls until the surface is well saturated;
- Prime the canvas with a deep absorption antiseptic;
- After waiting for the solution to harden, repeat the priming procedure;
- Plaster, prime and putty the walls;
- Perform final wall cladding.
Removal of moldy fungus in the cellar is accompanied by drying and waterproofing of the room.
How to Get Rid of Black Mold: A Quick Guide
All work to remove mold should be carried out wearing safety glasses, household latex gloves and a respirator. To prevent the spread of toxic volatile spores, mold-infested areas must first be moistened with water.
The general algorithm for the mold removal process is as follows:
- deep cleaning of the affected surface and adjacent areas with a hard sponge, spatula, wire brush or scraper;
- triple treatment of the cleared space with industrial fungicides or homemade antifungal agents;
- disposal of contaminated materials.
How to treat walls (Folk methods)
You can try to remove local damage to walls using relatively harmless and affordable folk remedies. Even ordinary peroxide and furatsilin can become worthy helpers.
All work on cleaning walls containing fungal mold must be carried out strictly using rubber gloves and a protective gown.
Recipes
- 0.5 cups white vinegar, 4 tbsp. l. borax and 4 tbsp. Stir warm water until smooth. Spray the resulting remedy for fungus on the walls onto the affected surface, let it sit for a while (5-10 minutes), wipe dry and repeat the procedure.
- Treat the affected canvas several times with vinegar at intervals of 1 hour.
- Mix 100 grams of bleach and a liter of water. Apply the resulting solution to smooth, mold-affected surfaces. Wait a little, rinse and repeat the procedure a couple more times.
- A decent remedy against fungus on walls is 3% hydrogen peroxide. It is necessary to take into account the fact that the liquid has bleaching properties.
Folk remedies do not provide a 100% guarantee of fungal removal, but are quite effective at the initial stage of the infection.
Preparations of chemical origin
Today, many chemicals are produced, so the question is: “How to treat walls against mold?” Shouldn't cause any big problems. The choice of a suitable composition should be accompanied by a study of the instructions, since the chosen product for removing fungus and mold on the walls may be suitable only for a certain type of microorganisms.
Chemical compounds with antifungal and antimicrobial characteristics are considered the most effective. You can purchase both ready-made preparations and mixtures that require preliminary preparation. You can dilute the antiseptic against mold and mildew on the walls with turpentine, clean water or white alcohol. Oil-based formulations (for example, creosote) are quite popular.
Top most effective antiseptics for mold
- Stop mold (Olympus) is an aggressive composition recommended mainly for cellars, bathrooms and other overly damp rooms. Colorless, safe for pets and people, does not contain toxic or chlorine compounds. Suitable for almost any surface.
- Abedis 06 is a fairly toxic drug that can kill any type of fungus. Does not change the quality of facing materials. Apply to the affected area for a day and wash off with water.
- Fongifluid Alpa is an active fungicidal agent against fungus on the walls in the apartment. Sold in ready-made liquid form. Made with anti-mold and antifungal ingredients.
- The biocide is an effective drug that gets rid of primary and secondary fungal colonies. It is used based on the following ratios: 70-100 ml/m2. In addition to the main components, it contains pleasant flavors.
- Xiolate is the drug with the best results. It acts on the basis of penetrating isotopes, destroying the structure of mold in the very depths of building materials.
- Teflex is a powerful drug that is safe for humans and pets.
If the area affected by fungus and mold is too extensive, then complete disinfection of the room is required using the cold or hot fog method. The substance contains a generated active form of a disinfectant that can destroy microorganisms anywhere in the building.
Stages of cleansing
If you decide to cope on your own, then get ready for serious work. Deliverance occurs in three stages.
- Eliminating the causes of occurrence - we talked about them above.
- Cleaning affected areas.
- Treatment with cleaning and disinfecting compounds.
After the attack is defeated, it makes sense to wait and make sure that the rot does not attack again. Only after this can you begin repairs.
Plaque removal
This is where the fun begins: the cleanup. Whether the fungus will return to your home depends on how well it is carried out. And even if you have eliminated all the factors contributing to the development of plaque, treated and dried the surface, but missed an infected piece of plaster, then wait: as soon as more or less suitable conditions appear, the walls will turn black.
Therefore, we do not spare materials: it is better to do everything thoroughly once and live in peace.
- We remove all the wallpaper in the room to assess the extent of the damage.
- We remove all building material, even brick or concrete. It is necessary to remove layers of plaster not only in the place where there is direct darkening, but also around it with a decent margin.
- The hard base needs to be cleaned with a brush and carefully walked over it with sandpaper.
By the way, at all stages where direct contact with rot occurs, you should keep a spray bottle of water on hand to wet the surface. This will reduce the spread of spores throughout the room.
After mechanical cleaning, you can begin chemical etching.
Mold control methods
You have to choose what you can use to remove plaque and disinfect the walls: improvised compounds or chemicals.
No matter what anyone says about the miraculousness of “grandmother’s” recipes, special chemistry is still more reliable. It is guaranteed to eliminate the problem with the minimum possible expenditure of time and effort.
The savings argument is irrelevant here. Saving several hundred or thousand rubles can later result in new repairs and serious health problems.
However, folk recipes should not be completely forgotten. They are good as an additional and preventive remedy.
Folk remedies
To be sure to remove the problem, treatment with any cleaner will have to be carried out several times.
If the consistency of the substance allows, then it is best to apply it from a spray bottle: this way there is less risk of leaving untreated areas. For thicker compositions, you can use a brush or sponge, carefully covering the entire surface.
Effective control tools include:
- Copper sulfate
It is called one of the most effective remedies among “homemade” compounds. From copper sulfate powder you need to prepare a solution in the following proportions: 20–30 g of powder per 1 liter of water.
The mixture is applied to the defective areas and left to dry for 3-4 hours.
For particularly advanced cases, you can use a solution based on vinegar essence. You need to dissolve half a kilo of vitriol in two liters of vinegar and walk along the walls.
Some people recommend adding 1 tsp to wallpaper glue when making repairs. vitriol for prevention.
- Borax
Borax is non-toxic and therefore can be used in residential areas without fear.
Dissolve 1 cup of borax powder in 2.5 liters of water. This cleaner needs to be applied to areas where blooms have accumulated and left for a few minutes, then washed off with a brush.
- Alcohol-containing products
Any liquid with a “degree” of high strength is suitable here: vodka, ammonia or salicylic alcohol.
Ammonia must be diluted in water in a 1:1 ratio. There is no need to dilute the remaining substances: they can be applied in their pure form. The liquid should be applied to the treated areas and wait about an hour, after which the room should be well ventilated to eliminate the pungent odor.
- Potassium permangantsovka
Potassium permanganate can remove mold and protect against its reappearance. To prepare the solution you will need to mix 1 tsp. powder and 1 liter of water. Cover the affected area with this mixture and leave until completely dry.
- Chlorine-containing compounds
This is the well-known Whiteness, Domestos and other similar chemicals. They are spread on the wall without prior thinning and left for 30–40 minutes. After this, the plaque must be cleaned with a brush, and the product must be washed off carefully.
Many people recommend this method.
- Furacilin
The liquid sold in the pharmacy will not work: the concentration of the active substance is too small. You can make an effective solution yourself from 10 crushed furatsilin tablets and 1 glass of water.
It will be useful to periodically treat window sills, floors and doors with an antiseptic made from 5 liters of water and 1 tablet. This will prevent the development of rot.
- Soda
More suitable for removing unpleasant odors that often accompany fungal growth. You need to prepare a slurry from soda and water and coat all surfaces that exude a putrid aroma with it. After an hour, the mixture can be washed off.
Specialty chemistry
Since we vote for the use of special formulas, we will name several effective means for breeding flowers at home:
- San Klin;
- Alpa Fongifluid;
- Savo;
- Bagi Anti-Mold;
- Pufas Amss;
- HG Mold Spray;
- Prosept;
- Sion;
- Feidal Schimmel EX.
The drug should be selected based on the material you will be treating and the area of damage.
Each of these products has its own method of application and exposure time. Therefore, before applying, be sure to read the instructions, which tell you how to get rid of the misfortune, and strictly adhere to these recommendations.
You can buy antiseptics and cleaners in the household chemicals department of the supermarket, hardware stores, and online hypermarkets, for example, on Ozon.
