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Mold can be found in any home. And since among modern construction and finishing materials it is almost impossible to find those that have not been affected by mold, fungus can be found even in the refrigerator or washing machine. Mold can eat a room; there are mushrooms that can easily destroy iron and brick. What can we say about the human body! The fungus will quickly destroy health, especially in children. With the problem of mold, defects in the interpanel seams will certainly appear. Slopes with black spots, crying plastic windows, dampness and health problems - all this worries our readers. A wet wall and fungus are the main signs of a seal failure.
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.
Professional products
How to get rid of black mold on walls yourself? If folk remedies for fungi do not bring the expected positive effect, then you should pay attention to professional remedies. They will cost a little more than using simple soda or vinegar, but manufacturers promise 100% results. Among the most popular means are the following:
- Anlas Mykos is a powerful and effective remedy that can help get rid of even outdated and overgrown mold colonies.
- Profilux is a drug that has an effective effect on mold that has affected wooden surfaces.
- “Antisept” is a Russian-made product that is widely used for antiseptic preventive treatment of surfaces at the repair stage.
- Schimmel Vernichter helps eliminate mold on all types of surfaces. It is highly effective against most known varieties of fungi.
Since professional mold removal products are highly concentrated, it is recommended to use protective equipment such as a respirator and rubber gloves.
How to eliminate the cause of mold
If you find black plaque in your home, you need to take immediate action. Moreover, removing only the top layer of fungus will be ineffective. The mycelium of the parasite penetrates deep into the material, and if you remove only the top layer, the problem will quickly return.
The choice of control option depends on the size of the damage: if the outbreak is small, then you can try to deal with it yourself using folk or purchased remedies. If the affected area is large, then it is best to seek help from a professional organization.
First of all, specialists will conduct a laboratory analysis of the mold that has settled in your home and determine what type it belongs to. The best way to kill her depends on this.
Then the work of the masters to clean the home will begin. Professional tools, chemicals, and heat guns are used here. As a rule, the process takes more than one day, so during this period it would be good for residents to leave the apartment and live with relatives.
Whatever option you choose, know that without eliminating the source of occurrence, all this is useless: the attack will return and attack again.
To remove an unwanted guest, you must take the following steps:
- eliminate leaks on the roof and in the basement;
- check the integrity of the interpanel seams - this is especially true if mold grows in the corner of a room in a panel house;
- insulate the apartment - this will help when the apartment is cold. It would be correct to place the insulating layer and cladding on the outside of the building;
- establish ventilation - if the hood is not functioning well, you need to clean it. A good solution would be to install an additional fan. It is also a good idea to place a hood over the stove to remove fumes from cooking food;
- ensure sufficient air exchange - for this it is better to install supply valves on plastic windows and ventilate the room at least twice a day at any time of the year;
- reduce the humidity in the room - to do this you will have to give up drying clothes in the apartment and remove indoor plants.
Prevention measures
It is not enough to defeat mold in the house; it is necessary to provide conditions so that you do not have to fight it again.
- At the construction stage of the building, it is better to treat the wooden parts with a strong antiseptic to protect against mold and rot.
- Proper external insulation will prevent temperature changes in the room.
- The heating system in a private house should ensure uniform heating of the rooms.
- Good waterproofing of the roof, foundation, etc. will eliminate leaks and prevent dampness from developing in the house.
- Pipes must be regularly checked for condensation and leaks, and any problems must be corrected.
- In a residential building, try to avoid high humidity. Turn on the hood while cooking. If possible, avoid drying clothes in the bathroom.
- Sufficient ventilation is the key to successfully combating dampness. Install ventilation valves on exterior walls. It is worthwhile to install fresh ventilation in the bathroom, kitchen, pantries and basements.
- A large number of flowers in pots can serve as a breeding ground for pathogenic microflora.
- Don't forget to ventilate the rooms daily.
Security measures
Before you begin cleaning, it is wise to ensure the safety of all family members:
- It is better to evict children and animals from the apartment for a short time so that they are not attacked by large amounts of aggressive chemicals and mold particles that will certainly get into the air;
- for those who will destroy the fungus, it is worth preparing rubber gloves, goggles, a respirator and a protective suit that covers the body as much as possible;
- You need to open the window and provide sufficient fresh air. At the same time, do without a draft so that spores do not spread throughout the home along with air masses.
Most chemicals are harmful to humans. Therefore, avoid contact of products with skin and mucous membranes, and do not inhale toxic fumes. If particles of the substance do get into your eyes or nose, you should rinse them thoroughly.
Chemicals
How to remove mold on the walls in an apartment? There are several methods available:
- You need to take any bleach that contains chlorine, pour it into a spray bottle and generously spray all affected areas.
- Ammonia and water should be diluted in equal quantities. The composition is applied to the mold colony, and then, after 2 hours, washed off.
- Using chlorine powder is also quite effective. It must be diluted with water according to the instructions, and then applied to the mold. This product is very toxic, so its use is only possible if a protective respirator and gloves are used.
How to get rid of mold on the wall? Reviews often recommend using the drug "Furacilin", which is known for its antiseptic properties. To do this, you need to crush 10 tablets into powder and dissolve in a glass of water. Use the resulting liquid to spray the areas where molds grow. After some time, you need to clean off any remaining fungi with a stiff brush and re-treat the surface with an antiseptic. This product is yellow in color and also leaves marks, so it is recommended to use it only on tiled or plastic surfaces.
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.
What is the danger?
At first glance, mold may seem unpleasant but harmless, but this is not the case. Black mold can cause serious harm to humans, including death. If you live near mold fungi for a long time, the following health problems may appear:
- Dermatitis and other skin diseases, the nature of which is difficult to determine, which means they are difficult to treat.
- Diseases of the respiratory system, such as asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia.
- Diseases of the musculoskeletal system, as mold spores negatively affect human joints.
- Allergic reactions up to Quincke's edema.
- Once inside the body, black mold can cause disorders in the functioning of internal organs, especially the stomach and intestines.
When living for a long time in a home with mold, a person becomes irritable, prone to depression, weakness in the body, and frequent headaches. With a high concentration of spores of the fungus of the genus Aspergillus, intoxication of the body can occur.
Elderly people and young children are most vulnerable to mold because their immune systems are not strong enough to fight mold spores on their own.
