Molds coexist with humans everywhere and are able to survive in any environment, even in negative temperatures. But active reproduction of fungal spores begins only with poor ventilation and high air humidity. The bathroom often meets these conditions, so it happens all the time.
The rapid development of mold begins with a prolonged combination of the following conditions:
- air temperature from 20°C;
- air humidity above 70%;
- poor room ventilation;
- stagnant dirt and expired products household chemicals(food source for mold fungi).
The bathroom is a favorite place to live black mold: It is here that the humidity is almost constantly increased, and air exchange is often insufficient.
To completely get rid of mold in the bathroom, you need to find and eliminate the cause of its appearance. As a rule, these are places of stagnant water that are not always visible.
Possible sources of excess moisture accumulation:
- faulty plumbing - dripping taps and broken communications (often water stagnates under the bathtub or shower tray);
- gaps at the joints between the tiles and the bath (or shower);
- condensation that forms when the temperature drops sharply cast iron pipes, ceiling, cistern, on the outer surface of the bathtub bottom and shower tray, walls (as an option - if the heated towel rail is not heated enough);
- roof leakage (in apartments on the top floors), wet walls.
Note. Darkness is an additional factor that triggers the development of mold. As a rule, the walls of bathrooms are apartment buildings They are deaf and light practically does not penetrate there. When arranging a bathroom in a private house, it is better to provide a window in at least one of the walls, ideally with the possibility of ventilation.
Means and methods of control
The long struggle with mold has forced people to constantly look for options to eliminate it. The accumulated national experience and industrial developments offer big choice proven and accessible means.
Household chemicals and home remedies
If the fungus is on the surface and the affected area does not exceed 10 cm, they will help remove the mold traditional methods or popular household chemicals.
Vinegar
9% table vinegar is one of the most effective home antifungal remedies. Vinegar is applied undiluted. After treatment is completed, the product is washed off with water and the bathroom is ventilated.
Soda
An aqueous solution of soda (1 teaspoon of soda per 200 ml of water) creates a caustic alkaline environment that is harmful to mold. Soda can be used in pure form– it is non-toxic and does not form defects in the treatment areas.
Note: It is possible to use baking soda and vinegar at the same time. Soda is scattered over the surface, vinegar is applied from a spray bottle on top. After the reaction is completed and the foam has settled, the surface is cleaned with a brush, washed with water and dried.
Ammonia
Effective on smooth surfaces, but is not able to penetrate porous drywall and wood. The product is mixed with water in equal parts and applied with a sponge to tiles, mirrors, ceramic and glass surfaces. After treatment, the solution is washed off with water. During operation, it is necessary to ensure good ventilation, as vapors ammonia may enter the respiratory tract and cause headaches.
Boric acid
The antifungal effect is exerted by a mixture of water, peroxide, vinegar and boric acid in a ratio of 4:2:2:1. The solution is applied from a spray bottle to tiles and plumbing fixtures.
Tea tree essential oil
It has a mild antifungal effect and is usually used in combination with other agents (vinegar, soda) to enhance their effect. It has an intense and persistent specific aroma.
Sodium tetraborate (borax)
An effective fungicide for use in medicine and everyday life. Non-toxic and does not require rinsing. Moisten the affected surface with an aqueous solution of 100 g of borax and 1 liter of water and clean it with a brush.
Hydrogen peroxide
A 3% hydrogen peroxide solution is effective in combating mold fungi and is well suited for treating porous surfaces and textiles.
Note: Peroxide has a strong bleaching effect and may leave unwanted stains on the treated surface. Therefore, before use, the drug should be tested on a small, inconspicuous area.
Copper sulfate
Copper sulfate or copper sulfate is a bright blue powder or granules. An old proven broad-spectrum fungicide. To treat the bathroom, it is diluted with water in accordance with the instructions on the package (usually 10 g of powder is dissolved in 1 liter of water). The drug is toxic to people and animals.
Note: Copper sulfate is chemically reactive when in contact with metals, so it is not used on faucets or other metal surfaces.
Regular chlorine powder, Domestos and whiteness can kill up to 100% of fungal organisms. Treat tiles, faucets and plumbing fixtures with the product, leave for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse thoroughly with water. Concentrated whiteness can damage plastic, so it is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10. Chlorine-containing substances are sprayed onto porous surfaces from a spray bottle. When working with chlorine, a respirator and gloves are required. After cleaning, the room is well ventilated.
Benzalkonium chloride
A modern antiseptic without a strong odor, which is recognized as safe and is included in many cleaning products. Benzalkonium chloride solution is active against most types of mold and other infectious agents, therefore it is widely used in medical institutions. For home use The Sarma series of household chemicals is suitable.
Professional products
The chemical industry produces antifungal drugs that vary in composition and hazard class. At home, it is advisable to use low-toxic products, which include:
General rules for antifungal treatment
Mold control methods often combine chemical and machining contaminated surface, which is carried out taking into account the following recommendations:
Features of processing tile joints
Removing mold from tiles is usually not difficult. But if the fungus has settled on the seams of the tiles, getting rid of it is not so easy. In this case, the sequence of actions is as follows:
- Complete removal of grout from the joints using a renovator, spatula or construction knife.
- Treatment of exposed areas with an antifungal drug.
- Drying.
- Filling the joints with new grout with the addition of a fungicidal component.
Overhaul - a radical way
If all the measures taken are ineffective and the mold appears again, they resort to its radical removal. Method requires overhaul, which is carried out in the following sequence:
- Dismantled old tiles and other finishing coating on the floor and walls.
- Using a spatula, remove affected areas of paint and plaster.
- Clean the walls well and dry them construction hairdryer or a household fan heater.
- The infected surface is treated with a professional antiseptic fungicide. After the first layer has completely dried, the antifungal treatment is repeated.
- If the housing location is unfavorable ( corner apartment, first and last floors) a layer of coating and adhesive waterproofing is arranged on the floor, walls and ceiling.
- Again, thoroughly dry the treated surfaces and apply an antifungal primer, for example Ceresit CT 99. If waterproofing has been carried out, the primer is selected depending on the type and composition of the waterproofing material.
- They begin finishing work.
Note: When replacing plumbers, they monitor the quality of sealing of all joints and communications. If possible, use a primer, tile adhesive, sanitary silicone sealant with the addition of fungicides.
Mold prevention
Preventing the appearance of fungus in the bathroom means creating conditions in which it cannot develop. Should by all possible ways reduce humidity levels and ensure adequate air circulation. Good result will take the following measures:
- After taking a shower, straighten the curtain in the bathroom and use a special brush to remove drops of water from the walls of the shower stall.
- Ventilate the bathroom daily, and it is better to leave its doors ajar - whenever the room is not in use. Air currents prevent mold spores from attaching to the surface. Besides, open doors increase the illumination of the bathroom.
- Avoid persistent dirt formations and periodically wash tiles and plumbing fixtures with household products. disinfectants(Bref, Domestos, Whiteness, baking soda or soda ash).
- Do not dry in the bathroom wet laundry and clothes.
- If the heat transfer from the heated towel rail is insufficient, replace it or install an additional heating source.
- Monitor the condition of the ventilation shafts and, if necessary, clean them (to do this, you can call a specialist from the housing office or another service organization).
- Install additional ventilation In bathroom.
- It is advisable not to close it tightly plastic windows and even in the cold season, set them to minimal ventilation. This will improve air exchange throughout the entire apartment.
- Replace if possible metal pipes to plastic ones, on which condensation does not accumulate.
- Monitor air humidity levels using a psychrometer, which can be purchased separately or in combination with other measuring instruments(barometers, thermometers, electronic watch and so on.).
- For periodic air disinfection, household ionizers and bactericidal lamps are used.
Washing machine installed in the bathroom, with misuse may be a source of fungus. To prevent this, follow simple rules:
- after finishing washing, wipe the drum dry and leave it open for several hours;
- periodically run a long idle wash at maximum temperature and additional rinsing;
- When using fabric softeners, it is advisable to always turn on the extra rinse mode: a poorly washed product is a good breeding ground for mold;
- Do not leave wet laundry in the machine.
Why is mold dangerous?
Uncontrolled proliferation of mold threatens serious health problems, causing allergies, asthma, skin and joint diseases, headaches and a general weakening of the immune system. Mold spores enter the human body with air and food and, at high concentrations, cause severe intoxication.
For people with severe immunodeficiency, staying in a room infected with fungal spores is deadly. Allergy sufferers, children and the elderly are also at risk.
The variety of mold species is amazing, but the following varieties are usually annoying in everyday life:
- blue mold (or blue mold);
- green;
- black;
- white;
- pink;
- decay fungi (white, brown and bacterial rot).
White, green and pink molds are commonly found on food and flower pots. But in old houses with poor ventilation, these species are found in entire colonies on wet walls and can settle in any room.
Pink mold on the walls of an old building. IN multi-storey buildings Most often, black mold lives.
Mycelium and black mold spores. Spores of this species can infect any surface and building material - from plastic and tiles to reinforced concrete structures. At the initial stage, mold looks like several inconspicuous dots, which as it spreads grow and merge into spots.
The fungus can even corrode floor slabs and spread to other apartments. In this case, it is extremely difficult to fix the problem yourself and you should seek help from specialists. If the situation is left unattended, in areas of extensive damage, peeling of the plaster, destruction of walls and collapses are possible.
It is not always possible to detect a fungus with the naked eye, but there are several “markers” of its appearance:
- specific smell of dampness;
- black (or colored) coating or stains on different surfaces and materials;
- peeling paint or plaster;
- prolonged deterioration in health and constant fatigue.
The appearance of mold in a home is not just a cosmetic defect. This is a serious signal of trouble. Mold doesn't give you time to think and a short time capable of destroying any construction material. Only quick adoption of adequate measures will stop the development of the fungus and, if not forever, then forget about its existence for a long time.
The appearance of fungus on walls is a serious problem. There may be several reasons for this and all of them are somehow related to high humidity. Autumn and rainy season, shadow side, a wall facing the street or just a damp room, such as a bathroom or kitchen - these are just some of the causes of mold stains. You have to deal with him serious fight, and it should be started immediately after the first signs of fungus are detected. The methods of this struggle should be discussed in more detail.
Fungus on the walls - sentence: destroy immediately
Speaking about fungus on the walls, it should be said that you should not ignore this uninvited guest. Besides the unsightly appearance, it causes enormous harm to the health of the person who lives in the house or apartment enslaved by it.
Firstly, this is toxic poisoning by fungal waste products, which is chronic. Secondly, direct infection by the fungus, that is different kinds mycosis. Thirdly, provoking serious superinfections of the respiratory tract associated with additional viral and bacterial diseases. Fourthly, allergic reactions of all types. And finally, the fungus provokes malignant tumors.
First advice from Stroimmaster. If there are prerequisites for the formation of fungus, you need to carefully monitor the walls. The first signs of mold on the walls must be destroyed. Moreover, the method should be chosen as efficiently as possible, which will prevent reappearance mold on the walls of the house.
When fighting fungus on walls, we first look for the cause.
When you first notice green or black spots on the walls, they should be destroyed immediately. To get rid of fungus on the walls, you must first of all find the cause of its appearance and get rid of it.
If the external joints are leaking, they must be covered with a special compound, and this must be done from the street side. May also help additional insulation, which it is also advisable to do with outside. If this is not possible, then you will have to do it from the inside. Unfortunately, this is a loss of several square centimeters.
If the walls in the bathroom or kitchen are affected by fungus, then it is necessary to install a hood. In principle, this can be any air exchanger. Can be installed along walls additional radiators, but this method is effective only during the heating season.
Second advice from our portal. Before destroying fungus on the walls, it is necessary to find out the cause of its occurrence. It should be eliminated first.
Chemical methods of killing fungus
After the cause of the fungus has been eliminated, it is necessary to destroy the mold that has already formed. It is this that is harmful to the human body. To do this, the plaster affected by the fungus is completely removed. Sometimes you have to clean everything up concrete base. The next step is to treat the affected area. by special means that contain antiseptics. They are sold in large quantities in construction stores. You can use a solution of boric acid, vinegar and borax or a solution copper sulfate. Formalin is also effective, but it requires increased caution when used. All of the above solutions destroy the fungus completely. Some suggest treating the affected areas of the wall with urea or office glue, but these products do not guarantee complete destruction of the spores. After processing and complete drying of the surface, you can begin repairs.
Third tip from our portal. Chemical agent should be the most reliable. Better to use special compounds with antiseptics that are sold in stores. After application, the wall surface must be completely dry.
Measures to prevent fungus on walls
Advice from our portal: To prevent mold from forming again, it is necessary not only to get rid of the fungus on the walls, but also to create conditions that will prevent its appearance. This is not difficult to do, just follow a few rules.
- The room should have enough natural light.
- In rooms with high humidity there must be an exhaust hood.
- The walls should be treated monthly with a special solution that prevents fungus from forming again. It can be purchased ready-made in the store. However, hydrogen peroxide is no less effective.
- The air in the room must be constantly fresh, so the rooms must be ventilated twice a day.
Subject to these simple measures, you will forget about the fungus on the walls and maintain your health.
Do you want to renovate a small bathroom? Are you designing from scratch? This article offers you several simple tips that will help you cope with the task. Attached as a bonus a large number of photographs. You might be amazed at how you can do small room so functional and at the same time stylish. After reading the photo, you will be convinced that the combination of practicality and aesthetics is not so difficult task. We hope that the proposed materials will help you find your inspiration, and very soon you will be able to create your own design project.
You need to carefully consider every detail of the bathroom. How does this or that element fit in with its surroundings? Does it take up too much space? To expand a small room, use some tips. Replacing your vanity sink with a pedestal sink can help eliminate the feeling of clutter. Choose a tall sink that will fit into your general interior rooms and enjoy the extra space. It would also be a good idea to purchase a small bathtub. Fortunately, there are a large number stylish models, and you have plenty to choose from. Large floor tiles, light walls will also visually expand the space. Avoid dark shades. Agree, the proposed ideas are quite simple. Now is the time to look at the photographs below. Get inspired!
