Black mold is immediately noticeable on a white wall. But how to remove the infestation without it returning?
If you discover a mold infestation on your wall, you should not hesitate for long and act immediately. The spores are bad for your health. For example, they can cause asthma, among other things. How to proceed, you will learn here.
Why mold develops on the walls?
The fact that mold suddenly forms on the walls can have a wide variety of causes. These include:
– structural defects – incorrect ratio between ventilation and heating – thermal bridges
Even if there are no structural defects – such as broken pipes in the walls – present, mold can form in any apartment. Surfaces like windows. settles on exterior walls. Especially behind cabinets, where little air can circulate, the risk of mold is then quite high.
How to avoid mold in the home
Therefore, to prevent mold from forming in your home in the first place, you should pay attention to a few points:
Removing mold: how to prepare for it
Since mold spores and mold removers can irritate your respiratory system, it's important to protect yourself well: During any endeavor involving mold, wear protective gloves, goggles and a mouthguard. Also, cover nearby furniture to prevent mold spores from settling on it. In general, you should always work with moisture when removing mold, so that no spores are stirred up. Should it be deal with a larger mold infestation (more than 50 cm²), it is best to call a professional.
How to remove mold from smooth surfaces
The mold has taken root on smooth surfaces such as Tiles, ceramics, glass, metal or tile grout fixed? Then your chances of getting rid of the infestation are very high. In this case, the stains can be removed very easily with water and a mild detergent Household cleaners wash off, as the Federal Environment Agency explains in a guide. In the process, change the mopping water several times and renew silicone joints in the bathroom if they are particularly heavily infested – otherwise the mold will always return.
Remove mold from porous areas with alcohol
However, mold often also occurs on plastered or painted walls. Here helps best 70 to 80 percent ethyl alcohol (ethanol). Apply this with a cloth or rag. Ventilate well afterwards by. Also, be careful that no fire comes close – otherwise there is a risk of fire.
Remove mold with hydrogen peroxide
If the mold has formed in insensitive places, hydrogen peroxide can also help you with its removal. Hydrogen Peroxide Is normally used in medicine as a disinfectant or bleaching agent. However, a three percent solution from the pharmacy will also remove mold from your walls, as it also disinfects and bleaches these areas. So pay attention to which surfaces you apply it to – you may need to repaint later on. Paint the hydrogen peroxide itself in a large radius with a brush on and around the affected area. After about an hour wipe it with a damp cloth and let the place dry. All the time you should ventilate well. Methylated spirits can also be used on smooth surfaces. Apply to porous surfaces. To do this, drip it onto a cloth. Wipe the affected areas with it. However, also in this case Fire and explosion hazard. Therefore, you should use only gradually small doses and under no circumstances smoke nearby.
Does the home remedy vinegar help against mold on the wall?
In many places, vinegar or vinegar essence is recommended to deal with the mold problem. This may also be true for certain materials, but the Federal Environmental Agency advises against using vinegar as a remedy, at least with regard to diffusion-open building materials. In the case of a possible chemical reaction with building materials, the pH value can be raised. An additional nutrient substrate to be applied to the affected areas. Thus, you encourage rather than curb mold growth.