It is at this time of year when humidity becomes noticeable in our homes. The condensation caused by the difference in temperature between the outside and the inside of our home and the leaks promote the appearance of mold. And once it has appeared, it is not always easy to remove the mold from the wall.
The bathroom is the room where mold appears most frequently, but it is not uncommon to find it in other rooms, both on exterior walls and ceilings. Unsightly black spots indicate a problem that can pose a risk to our health. Don't let it be like that! Fix it first!
The origin of the humidity
Moisture is a serious problem that should be identified and treated as soon as possible. It damages the fabric of our homes and affects our health, and is there anything more important than that? There are different types of humidity. and each of them originates as a consequence of a different problem. Some of the most common in our homes are humidity with condensation and humidity by filtration. Do you know the differences?
- La humidity by condensation It appears when the inside temperature is higher than the outside temperature, when the water vapor that is contained in the air turns into a liquid when it comes into contact with a cold surface. Without adequate ventilation, this type of humidity ends up becoming visible in our homes at points of contact between the interior and the exterior, spreading as time progresses.
- La seepage moistureInstead, it is caused by poor insulation of exterior walls, roofs, windows and doors or pipes or drains in poor condition.
The evidence of one of them does not exclude the other. In fact, both can coexist and it is common for them to do so, generally in old homes with poor insulation. Finding the source of the moisture is essential to solving the problem. Because we can clean the mold, but if we don't solve the original problem in a few months it will return to our walls.
How to remove mold
Do you have mold on the walls? If so, and you have solved the original problem, it is time to remove the mold from the wall. Make sure, yes, that the wall is completely dry before starting to do it, either by generating a significant current of air, or by resorting to industrial methods such as humidifiers.
Is the wall already dry? Apply an antifungal product It is the best solution to clean up the wall and protect it for the future. But you can also try more natural solutions if the problem is not very serious. And what are these?
- One of the most effective products is White vinegar. Spray it pure on the areas affected by the fungus, let it act for an hour and then clean the surface with a soft sponge or cloth and rinse it afterwards.
- Baking soda is also effective.. Dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and proceed in the same way as with vinegar to put an end to the problem.
- Tea tree oil is a natural disinfectant that mixed with water (2 tablespoons of tea tree oil per 2 cups of water) can also be effective. Test it!
Once you have finished with the mold, it will never hurt to apply a paint that provides the wall with protection against moisture. today there are paints for humidity very effective, go to a specialized store and ask for them!
Prevent their appearance
Wouldn't it be a chore if, now that you've removed the mold, it returned to your walls for not doing things right? There are daily actions that can prevent the appearance of mold and that should be taken into account whether or not you have had this problem in your home.
- Ventilate regularly. Open the windows after bath or shower. Does your bathroom have no window? Then consider installing a mechanical fan or an exhaust fan with a non-return system.
- Clean the bathroom with bleach. Bleach prevents the appearance of mold, so it is convenient to clean the bathroom a couple of times a month with this product, rinsing it afterwards with lukewarm water.
- change the silicone periodically. The silicone that seals bathtubs, screens, joints in bathrooms and kitchens is not forever and can aggravate mold problems if it is not in good condition.
- Replace the shower curtain for a screen with a clean design. Drapery folds and seams are favorite places for mold to gain a foothold if not properly cleaned and dried.
- Control leaks and blockages. Review possible leaks in the connections of your toilets and sink and check that the pipes drain quickly.
- Check the windows in winter, in case any had a leak.
Now that you know all the tricks to remove mold from the wall, don't let it take over your house!