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.
Objective danger to the body
Any mold on the wall in an apartment is anti-aesthetic and, among other reactions on the part of a person, causes persistent disgust. It is quite understandable: it is unlikely that anyone will like disgusting swamp-colored spots that shamelessly disfigure the beautiful and expensive decoration of the walls in the apartment. However, this would only be half the problem if the bad influence of mold was limited only to the aesthetic aspect - in fact, everything is much worse and more serious.
You will, of course, be surprised, but mold and mold are different. There are a huge number of varieties of microorganisms - and some of them pose a serious danger to the human body. But identifying spores by visual signs most often seems to be an almost impossible task. But even a person who is not immersed in the subtle nuances of medicine can determine the direct effect of spores on the body.
- asthma;
- allergic reactions;
- gastrointestinal disorders;
- infectious and skin diseases;
- Strong headache;
- eye irritation, etc.
People with weakened immune systems are most often affected by spores, so they are at risk:
- Small children;
- old men;
- sick people.
In general, the likelihood of any reaction depends on the level of concentration of spores in the air. It is believed that approximately 500 spores per 1 cubic meter
- this is the so-called threshold concentration, above which being in an apartment where there is mold on the wall or any other place is simply undesirable. Of course, everything is ultimately determined by circumstances:
- human immunity;
- the type of spores being spread;
- area of the room;
- actions of people in the apartment.
In any case, you should not put up with mold on the wall in your apartment - and if you find even a slight manifestation of it in yourself, then try to destroy it as soon as possible. There are a number of reliable methods for this - there are plenty to choose from!
What is mold and why does it appear?
Mold is a fungus that is found everywhere. According to various estimates, there are from 10 to 300 thousand species of these microorganisms. Some of them are deadly, others can cause the development of various diseases. There are those that, on the contrary, are useful and used by humans. For example, thanks to special varieties, exquisite varieties of cheese, wine, and antibiotics are obtained.
Among the dangers that lie in the vicinity of this microorganism are:
- formation of pulmonary diseases: asthma, bronchitis, laryngitis;
- the emergence and intensification of an existing allergy;
- skin problems: dermatitis, eczema;
- damage to the organs of vision: conjunctivitis.
The infection spreads through spores that are carried through the air, on clothing, and food. They are found almost everywhere, but in minimal quantities. As soon as optimal conditions are created for mold, it immediately begins to grow at breakneck speed.
Some species live even where other living objects simply cannot exist: outer space, Arctic ice, radioactive radiation.
The growth of fungus on the walls of a house is not at all surprising, because here conditions are created for it that are close to ideal. Here are the main reasons why plaque appears.
- Insufficient air exchange – non-functioning ventilation system, replacement of “breathable” wooden windows with sealed plastic ones, lack of ventilation.
- Dampness - leaking roof or pipes in the basement, violation of the integrity of the facing material on the outside of the building, drying clothes in the apartment, a large number of indoor plants, cooking.
By the way, one of the “bells” that there are problems with the microclimate in a living space is fogging of windows. If you respond to an alarming symptom in time, the appearance of rot may be avoided.
Using home remedies
What to do if you find mold on the wall in your apartment? Of course, destroy by all available means. But if the colony of microorganisms is not as large as you feared, and after a thorough examination of all the places where its appearance would be logical, no new affected areas were noticed, then it is quite possible to get by with the so-called home methods. They are also called folk
, old-fashioned - we will not dive into semantic nuances, because they are united, in essence, by the desire to deal with a colony of pathogenic flora in the apartment, without resorting to the help of special antiseptics and relevant specialists from cleaning services. So what do you have on hand?
Table vinegar
- 9% solution;
- only in undiluted form.
If mold has affected non-woven or washable wallpaper in your apartment, then you can simply treat the area with vinegar, and after about an hour, rinse thoroughly with water. However, if you have ordinary wallpaper, then it is best to remove it from the wall and carefully treat the entire affected area - this will be much more reliable!
Hydrogen peroxide
- allows bleaching;
- It is best to treat a bare wall;
- in combination with soda and water - optimal effect.
Some people use peroxide to become blonde, while others use it to deal a decisive blow to mold. Prepare a paste-like solution of baking soda and water, apply it to the plantation of microorganisms - and then spray a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide. This is a very effective answer to the question of what to do if mold appears in the apartment. True, traces will remain, so be careful with dark wallpaper: along with the spores, you risk removing all their charm.
Boric acid
- Best applied by spray;
- very strong smell.
In order for everything to work out, you need to dilute one glass of powder in 4 liters of hot water.
and apply to the desired location. For this purpose, use a sprayer, and it would be prudent to wear gloves and cover your face with a protective mask: this method of removing mold on the wall in an apartment is very effective, but can cause suffocation and severe eye irritation.
Ammonia
- dilute with water in a ratio of 1 to 1;
- spray only.
Another toxic home method, which, however, is widely used in everyday life, especially if you need to remove mold or mildew in the bathroom.
Soda
- ideal for tiles;
- safe for health.
If you need to clean ceramic items, there is nothing better than baking soda from your household arsenal. It will perform well in conditions of high humidity and will help reliably protect walls from the imminent return of unwanted microorganisms. You can also recommend the following home remedies:
- furatsilin;
- tea tree oil;
- copper sulfate;
- lime.
All this is available in every home, but the degree of effectiveness of using each of the mentioned methods varies depending on the size of the lesion. As a rule, they only work in the case of very small areas.
Step-by-Step Guide to Removing Black Mold
Treating walls against mold will be effective if you eliminate all the causes of its appearance.
First, you need to eliminate all unfavorable factors.
- Clean the ventilation and hood. To determine whether there is a blockage, run a lit match across the opening of the system. If the flame is attracted, intensive cleaning is not required. If the flame does not move, the system must be adjusted.
- Check the windows. They must be installed without disturbances, with the presence of valves that ensure normal exchange and circulation of air flows in the room.
- Assess the condition of the doors. Door seals prevent cold and noise from entering. However, they impede normal air circulation. Increasing the space between the canvas and the insulation will help solve the problem.
Afterwards, you can begin applying the antiseptic, following the instruction manual. The contaminated area is treated very carefully so that the spores do not scatter throughout the room . This can be done with a scraper, brush or rag.
While the fungicidal composition is working, good ventilation should be ensured by opening windows and doors. It is advisable to take out small items and cover the rest with plastic wrap. If the mold has eaten very deeply, the top layer of coating is removed, after which disinfection begins.
Comparison of special mold removal products
Along with the typically “old-fashioned” methods of eliminating mold on the wall in an apartment, there are also more advanced ones, based on the use of special modern antiseptics - fungicides
and
biocides
. As a rule, almost all of them cope equally well both in preventing the appearance of microorganisms in the treated area and in directly removing existing spores. In any case, be sure to read the instructions before purchasing directly or check with the sellers in the store so as not to get into trouble and not buy something that is absolutely not suitable in your case.
Our table, which presents the most popular modern chemicals that will help solve the problem of mold on the wall in the apartment as efficiently as possible.
| Title and production | Type | Price | Usage |
| Grzybostop Izohan, Poland | general purpose fungicide | from 2500 rubles | for the destruction of all types of mold, external and internal treatment |
| Mildew Remover Sano, Israel | general purpose fungicide | from 350 rubles | copes well with mold, also perfectly cleans plumbing fixtures and ceramics, recommended for periodic treatment in rooms with high humidity |
| Homeenpoisto Tikkurila, Finland | fungicidal solution | from 450 rubles | recommended for processing wood, plastered surfaces, concrete, use with other products is strictly prohibited |
| Schimmel entferner Dufa, Germany | fungicidal aerosol chlorine | from 900 rubles | quickly and reliably eliminates mold, recommended in conjunction with preventative agents |
| Tytan FG-2, Russia | emulsion concentrate | from 5600 rubles for 15 l | for painted surfaces, effective and does not harm the finish |
Remember that to successfully treat walls in an apartment:
- the wall needs to be prepared - remove the affected material that can no longer be saved;
- fill all cracks with putty (read about how to choose putty).
And, of course, it is necessary to identify the exact cause of the appearance of dangerous microorganisms on the wall of your apartment - otherwise, a quick meeting with them is only a matter of time.
Mold on the walls in the apartment: how to get rid of it?
You need to start fighting this unpleasant phenomenon as soon as you notice it. Mold grows quickly and can grow through plaster to brick and concrete within a year. Then it will be even more difficult to remove it, and constant proximity to it is harmful to health, leads to damage to furniture, and reduces the aesthetics of the room.
It is necessary to combat mold lesions in a comprehensive manner:
- Clean the affected surface mechanically. It must first be moistened generously with water to prevent the spores from spreading to other areas.
- Treat the cleaned area with an antifungal agent, going beyond its boundaries. There may also be disputes there. It is necessary to prevent the development of mycelium.
- Dry the surface and ventilate the room.
When processing, safety precautions must be observed. It is necessary to work in long sleeves, gloves and a respirator. After disinfection, the room must be left for several hours (the time depends on the product used). Upon returning to it, the room should be ventilated.
It is advisable to throw away things affected by the fungus. This will prevent the reappearance of microorganisms.
What to do to prevent disputes from reoccurring
Dealing with mold in an apartment is not just about removing all its plantations on the wall. In the end, no one has canceled the cause-and-effect relationship, and if you rest on your laurels after defeating the investigation, then this model of behavior can cause nothing but condemnation. In fact, in addition to dealing with the investigation - that is, with immediate disputes, you need to seriously address the immediate cause of their appearance in the apartment. For this:
- regularly monitor the temperature in the apartment and determine the humidity level;
- ensure excellent ventilation and airing of all rooms in the apartment;
- find out whether there is condensation on the pipes or whether there are leaks;
- when carrying out repair work, be sure to use a primer for deep penetration with antiseptic properties;
- Conduct periodic mandatory inspections in high-risk areas - in bathrooms, restrooms, and kitchens;
- if you decide to update the ceramic tiles on the wall, then as a grout for the joints, prefer special grouts with reliable protection against mold;
- carry out wet cleaning in the apartment very carefully - do not forget that ventilating the room during it is your sacred duty.
If you carefully follow all the recommendations, then you definitely won’t have to rack your brains over what to do if mold makes itself known again. And if you are the happy owner of a private house, then we advise you to read the article: “How to get rid of mold on the walls in a private house.”
Here are a few videos from which you can get even more useful information on mold remediation.
Why does this happen?
An apartment or private house often suffers from two or even more reasons. And increased humidity on the walls can appear at different times of the year. For example, in winter it is typical:
- Freezing of walls;
- Poor ventilation;
- Mold.
And at other times of the year, high humidity inside and outside the home is most common.
Now in more detail. Why does the problem of damp walls in the house arise?
External moisture
This problem is typical for apartments located on upper floors with a poor drainage system.
Harm of fungus to health
You can recognize the appearance of fungal colonies in the house by a persistent characteristic odor. Just the sight of unattractive stains on wallpaper causes disgust. You have to completely forget about comfort, since even your clothes are covered with a grayish coating.
When a favorable environment arises in the apartment, several types of fungus appear:
- Green mold forms more often than others and is easy to wash off and destroy.
- Colonies have a dark green tint, which are more difficult to remove, but if you wash them immediately after detection, they do not cause problems.
- The white fungal colony resembles fluff in appearance. Its spores spread very quickly throughout the house and are harmful to health. Such moldy stains can be removed only with a respirator and gloves.
- Black fungal spots weaken human immunity. They cover large areas in a short time. To remove them you need special chemicals.
Important! If more than 20% of the wall surface is affected by fungal colonies, the dwelling is considered dangerous and is considered unsuitable for people and animals to live in.
Mold fungi are dangerous for humans because they provoke allergy attacks, cause dermatological and dental diseases, conjunctivitis and a strong, suffocating cough. Penetrating into the body, mold spores settle on the mucous membranes of the respiratory organs and cause serious illnesses. Long-term living in an apartment contaminated with mold is especially dangerous for children and the elderly. Such proximity causes exacerbation of chronic diseases and becomes the cause of other diseases.
