In winter, the problem of mold appearing in the houseis getting worse. But not everyone knows how dangerous mold really is for health and often does not take measures to eliminate it. We sound the alarm and tell you how to destroy mold in an apartment It often happens that we do not even suspect that there is mold in our apartment. And it is discovered only during renovation, when the wallpaper is removed. However, mold is a very dangerous thing, and you need to start fighting it as soon as you notice its presence. Editorial opinion: - Mold in an apartment means various types of fungi that form branching myceliums without large, easily visible to the naked eye fruiting bodies. They affect building structures. Once mold appears in an apartment, it will constantly and actively multiply under favorable conditions. It is so difficult to destroy it that many people prefer to get rid of the apartment by selling it and first hiding traces of mold behind the wallpaper. Why mold is dangerous Unfortunately, not everyone knows how dangerous these dark circles on the walls and in the corners really are. And they, in turn, can significantly shorten the life of a person living in a moldy apartment. Constant inhalation of mold spores causes severe allergic reactions, respiratory problems, nasal congestion, reduces immunity, and can contribute to the development of tuberculosis. The most common diseases caused by mold are asthma, pneumonia, sinusitis, dry cough, skin rashes, cardiovascular disorders, upset stomach, headaches, and nosebleeds. And long-term exposure leads to internal bleeding, kidney and liver damage, and pulmonary emphysema. In addition, all these diseases can easily become chronic and will be very difficult to cure. So difficult that “curing” an apartment of mold will become much cheaper. In addition to such a deplorable impact on human health, mold destroys unprotected wooden structures, which can turn into dust in a short time.
Causes of mold The most important andthe main reason for its development is a suitable environment, that is, high air humidity. If the air in your apartment is heavy, the windows fog up after cooking, washing or taking a shower, then your ventilation system does not work. Editorial opinion: - The management company or HOA is obliged to clean and repair the air ventilation systems in apartment buildings: organizations that collect payments from you for technical maintenance and are engaged in this very technical maintenance of the house. You have every right to write them an application with a request to fix the ventilation, and if it is not done, file a complaint with the prosecutor's office. If the apartment is located on the first floor, moisture can rise from the basement. But even in this case, utility workers must monitor its condition. If the apartment is located on the top floor, the problem may arise due to roof leaks, which you should also contact the management company about. It is believed that mold most often occurs in old panel houses due to a violation of the tightness in the joints. This is, of course, true, but this is not the only thing. Any violation of building codes is important here.
Fungal infections have become common in new buildingsoccur no less frequently than in old housing stock. Some associate the damage to walls and supporting structures in newly built houses with the appearance of new insulation materials. They contribute to a much better "retention" of heat, but the dew point - the temperature at which steam begins to condense into droplets of water - shifts. Most often, this effect is caused by expanded polystyrene, which has become popular due to its low cost.
Stepan Bugaev, interior designer — Moldmay appear on the facade walls of an apartment when the interpanel seams are not sealed tightly. When exposed to side wind and rain, moisture simply has nowhere to evaporate, so the moisture goes inside, where it is warmer, and appears as mold on the walls inside the room. Mold can appear when the facade walls are made incorrectly from an insulation point of view. The dew point in such cases falls not on the vapor barrier layer, but on the inner wall. Mold can also form in bathrooms. Moisture gets into hard-to-reach places (for example, behind the bathtub), evaporation is impossible, as a result of which mold forms. Poor ventilation in the bathroom can aggravate the situation. Methods for combating mold It should be noted that it is very difficult to get rid of mold, but with the help of a whole range of measures it is possible to do this. First of all, you need to find all the areas of the walls, furniture, ceiling in the apartment affected by mold. Before this, be sure to put on a mask! Take a regular construction spatula and clean the affected walls with it. If the spots are still small, they can be treated with hydrogen peroxide or table vinegar. A large area of fungus will have to be scraped off to the concrete or brick, then thoroughly cleaned with a brush. If the mold has spread to the wallpaper, it must be carefully removed and thrown away. The wall underneath must also be cleaned with a spatula. If the fungus has spread to the drywall, it will also have to be thrown away.
Then the mold-affected walls need to betreat with antiseptics intended for treating interior surfaces (not facades). They are sold in construction stores and cost several hundred rubles (the most popular product is "Senezh"). Take the product that says it destroys fungus, not prevents it from appearing! After this, the wall needs to be dried very well: using ventilation, heaters, or simple airing. The better the wall dries, the less likely it is that mold will appear again.
Stepan Bugaev, interior designer - In case,When mold appears on the facade walls, it is necessary to redo the insulation: remove the cladding, clean and treat the wall with antiseptic agents, and even replace the thermal insulation materials. Only after this can finishing work be carried out. However, not all materials are suitable for this. Now you will have to strictly avoid air-impermeable materials, such as vinyl wallpaper. Take only breathable materials, and select primers and paints with antibacterial properties.
Some simple methods for combating mold:
- Eliminate all leaks of valves and pipes.
- Perhaps, it is necessary to change the arrangement of furniture in the apartment: cumbersome objects should not be close to the walls, subject to the risk of infection with the fungus.
- Flower pots contribute to the development of mold. Most likely they will have to get rid of them.
- Do not keep dried flowers in the room.
- Ventilate your home every day. In cold weather, it is better to completely open the window or balcony door for a short time.
- Try not to hang in the room wet clothes.
