How to get rid of black mold: 16 best remedies and folk methods

Household mold may seem harmless, but its danger to humans should not be underestimated. Mold particles in an infected room spread through the air, entering the body through breathing. Regular exposure to mold depletes the immune system and triggers severe asthma attacks. Dealing with the effects of mold infestation can take years.

Mold is a fungus with a high destructive potential. It destroys repairs, damages furniture, and accelerates the wear and tear of equipment. It is almost impossible to remove it forever using household means. The slightest fluctuations in humidity - and a dark coating appears on the walls again. Don't know how to get rid of mold? To save your time, we have selected the most effective remedies for mold and mildew in the home for DIY treatment that give the best results.

Harm and types of mold

Microbiologists know more than 150 thousand mold microorganisms. Some types of fungus are often found in the house, which can be easily distinguished from each other by color.

Mold quickly takes over the space

Greens

Penicillium fungi, with a moss-like color and lumpy, loose surface, occasionally form on furniture, brick and concrete. Often found on spoiled products. They cause neoplasms, bronchial asthma, and cirrhosis of the liver. This species became the ancestor of the penicillin group of antibiotics, and is therefore considered noble.

Penicillium

White

Mucor fungus grows when plants are watered abundantly. The development of a whitish coating is provoked by increased temperature and dampness in the apartment, uncontrolled fertilizing with compounds containing nitrogen. Sometimes it reproduces on fruits and vegetables. Propagation stops at temperatures below -8℃.

Mucor

Pink

They affect grain, root crops, as well as the top layer of surfaces, without penetrating deeply into the structure of materials. This pathogen is easier to deal with than others.

Pink mold on the wall

Yellow

Cover damp walls, wallpaper, plaster. Found on fish, bread, and dairy products. Harmful microorganisms cause severe allergic reactions, liver dysfunction, and gastrointestinal tract.

Yellow mold on wood

Orange

Highly toxic fungi appeared as a result of mutation of other micromycetes. They settle on damp walls and spoiled food. When it appears, it resembles a pasty coating. Later it dries out and looks like rusty powder. It starts to smell unpleasant.

Orange micromycetes

Blue

A cloudy blue Ceratocystis fungus takes up residence on a tree. Covers furniture and parquet. Destroys the coating, forms cracks in which moisture accumulates. In such a favorable environment, pathogens are formed.

Blue fungus

Black mold

The most common species, settling on any materials. If Aspergillus Niger is not dealt with, your health may deteriorate: insomnia, headache, and a feeling of constant fatigue appear. Sometimes serious illnesses develop.

Aspergillus Nigeria

Mold in an apartment destroys wooden, concrete, and plastic coverings; causes metal corrosion. Damages textiles and leather items - clothing, furniture, accessories. Dangerous microorganisms infect products. Destroy paper media - documents, books.

The spores worsen health: they cause allergic reactions, diseases of the hair, nails, and skin. In severe cases, bronchial asthma, pneumonia or aspergillosis, a fungal disease of the lungs, develop. Toxic compounds found in mold sometimes cause rapid development of cancerous tumors.

What is household mold?

Mold is a plaque that forms from the accumulation of a single-celled fungus. A fungal colony develops from spores. They are constantly in the air. Mushrooms begin to develop from spores when comfortable conditions appear: high humidity and warm air temperature. The spores are invisible to the human eye. They are very toxic to humans. They emit an unpleasant odor and come in various shades: black, white, green, blue.

Wall affected by green rot

Mold spores are always in the air. But for their rapid development and growth, a certain environment is necessary. Conditions under which there is a high probability of mold appearing in an apartment or house:

1. Presence of disputes. Spores are transferred from home to home on clothing and animal fur. Once in a house or apartment, they wait for favorable conditions to develop into fungal mold.
2. Nutrient medium. Fungi need an environment in which they can grow. In the home, this is usually soil in pots with indoor plants, house flowers, paper and wooden surfaces, concrete and stone.
3. Favorable climatic conditions. For mold to appear from spores, high humidity is required - 70-95% and a warm temperature of +20°C. Another condition is poor air ventilation or its complete absence.

Causes of mold formation

Microscopic mold spores get from apartment to apartment with plants, on pet hair, and clothes. The spores are carried by air currents and, when they land on damp surfaces, begin to germinate. Mold develops intensively in a nutrient medium - on wood, in flower soil, paper, brick and concrete walls.

Flower soil is a complete nutrient medium for micromycetes

Fungi easily adapt to their environment, but the necessary conditions for the appearance and development of molds are known:

• increase in air temperature from +20℃;
• excess carbohydrates;
• leaking water pipes or roof;
• high (from 75%) humidity;
• freezing of walls;
• poor ventilation;
• soil dampness;
• depressurization of windows;
• insufficient heating of the apartment.

If these conditions are met, then mold at home begins to multiply intensively on products and materials - rubber, carpets, linoleum fabric base, plastic and even concrete. Dirt in the apartment provokes the appearance of bacteria, and along with them, fungi begin to grow rapidly.

It is necessary to eliminate favorable conditions for the formation of fungus

• Set up ventilation. If there is a problem with air circulation in the room, you need to ensure high-quality air ventilation by installing forced air supply devices.
• Warm up and dry the room. If new mold colonies constantly appear in the problem room, it needs to be dried using a heat gun.
• Checking the attic and basement. If there is dampness in these rooms, it is necessary to check the foundation and roof of the building. Establish waterproofing and vapor barrier in the premises.
• Exposure to ultraviolet radiation. If it is possible to ensure the penetration of sunlight into the room, then you need to take advantage of it. Mold does not tolerate exposure to sunlight well.

Simply put, you need to take all measures to reduce the humidity in the room.

Signs of fungus

The first hint that mold has appeared in the house is the obsessive smell of dampness. Later other signs will clearly appear:

• change in surface color;
• peeling of plastered walls;
• formation of black, gray or white spots and dots;
• the appearance of plaque resembling crusts, film, powder;
• deformation of the structure of the material - the wood will begin to wrinkle and crack, the paint will begin to delaminate.

Having determined the source of the unpleasant odor, they begin to work. To remove fungus from walls, ceilings or floors, you need to be patient and familiarize yourself with the methods of getting rid of it.

The moldy walls are darkening

Prevention

It is recommended to take the following preventive measures against the appearance of fungus:

1. 
   Regularly check air ducts, hoods, and ventilation.

2. Make it a rule to remove excess moisture immediately, and not wait “until it dries on its own.”
3. Ventilate and heat living spaces.
4. Monitor the level of humidity in the house, do not create “greenhouse conditions” - high levels of moisture and heat.
5. Once a week, treat suspected areas of mold with special chemicals or traditional methods. Especially if measures were taken to get rid of the fungus.

These simple tips will help protect your home from uninvited “guests” and maintain the health of all family members.

Ways to get rid of mold in the house

To remove fungus in an apartment, use available home remedies.

Hydrogen peroxide

A pharmaceutical preparation (3%) is used to treat contaminated kitchen furniture and appliances, and hard surfaces in the bathroom. The product is used in its pure form or added to other components:

1. The affected area is sprayed with the product. After 2 - 2.5 hours, wipe this area with a damp cloth.
2. If the surface is very blackened, combine equal doses of peroxide and vinegar. To enhance the fungicidal effect, eucalyptus or tea tree oil is added to the solution. Spray evenly over the surface. After 10 - 15 minutes, remove the remaining spores with a brush.
3. To two liters of water add 0.5 liters of boric acid and one liter of perhydrol and vinegar. The liquid is distributed over the contaminated area.

Hydrogen peroxide causes lightening of individual fragments of the material.

Reference! Plasterboard structures covered with fungus are dismantled and replaced with new ones. Before finishing, new slabs are treated with antifungal compounds.

White vinegar

At home, vinegar is often used to kill mold. The acid neutralizes various types of micromycetes without releasing toxic fumes. White vinegar is not diluted to enhance the effect of the liquid: pour it into a spray bottle and spray the moldy walls. Then the surfaces are wiped with a napkin. After an hour, the treated area is rinsed with water and wiped.

Effective home remedy

For mold on balcony walls, use a mixture of copper sulfate and vinegar. Add 2 tablespoons to 5 liters of water. l. acid and 0.25 g of copper sulfate. The resulting substance is heated to 75℃ and evenly sprayed on the walls. The procedure sometimes has to be repeated after 3.5 - 4 weeks.

Citric acid or lemons

The action of citric acid is similar to that of vinegar: the concentrated acidic substance kills spores. Dilute 1 teaspoon in a glass of water. l. powder or squeeze juice from five to seven lemons. After treatment, the solution is not washed off; sometimes, after drying, the operation is repeated.

This method is often used to clean bathroom tiles.

Baking soda

A saturated solution of baking soda sanitizes coatings. After treatment with alkali, the fungus will lose its ability to reproduce, excess moisture and foreign odors will disappear. To prepare the solution, take 1 table per glass. l. powder. The components are thoroughly mixed and the damaged surfaces are sprayed. The liquid is not washed off, it is left as a prophylactic.

Soda and washing powder

To easily wash away traces of black mold on tile joints, mix 1 table. l. baking soda, 2.5 tbsp. l. washing powder with a glass of hot water. Stir until the components dissolve. The resulting composition is applied to the seams and the tiles are wiped.

In an alkaline environment, spores die

Iodine solution and camphor balls

When the first alarm signals appear - the formation of a thin black “cobweb” or small spots, when you do not want to use aggressive special means, containers with camphor beads and open bottles of iodine are placed next to the infected corners.

The antiseptic evaporates quickly, so new bubbles are added periodically. This method is used in old houses before renovation or in non-residential premises.

Borax

Sodium borate is a strong fungicide that disinfects and deodorizes surfaces. Works well against pathogens on concrete. Combine 4 liters of heated water and a glass of borax. Stir until the microgranules dissolve. The affected wall is treated with liquid, then the mold is removed with a brush.

The second option: a paste is made from borax, which is distributed over the moldy area. After 5–10 minutes, the paste is scraped off and the wall is cleaned with a brush.

Ammonia

To treat the ceiling and walls against fungus, ammonia is used: equal volumes of alcohol and water are mixed and sprayed over contaminated areas. After an hour, the mixture is washed off and the room is ventilated. Any hard surfaces should be washed with a caustic liquid.

Additional Information! Do not combine ammonia with bleach: toxic gases are released when the substances interact.

Ammonia destroys spores

Chemical bleach

Sodium hypochlorite contained in the preparation destroys fungus and spores. You should not use bleach and other chlorine-containing gels to clean floors, furniture and walls covered with wallpaper: the caustic substance destroys the top layer of the coating and discolors the surfaces.

Bleach cannot remove mold from porous materials - drywall, wood: chlorine only disinfects the surface, without penetrating into the porous structure.

The preparation is suitable for anti-mold treatment of the bathroom - for cleaning tiles and glass. To prepare a working solution, mix 10 parts water with one part bleach. The liquid is distributed over the cleaned surface with a roller or wide brush. To enhance the effect of Whiteness, after drying the treated fragments should be washed with dissolved furatsilin (take 1 crushed tablet per 1 liter).

Reference! Before working with an aggressive substance, wear a protective mask, goggles and gloves. To remove the persistent smell of chlorine, the room is thoroughly ventilated.

Essential oils

Oil extracts of tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus or rosemary suppress the development of pathogenic microorganisms and destroy bacteria. After the operation there is a pleasant smell. Pour 2 cups of warm water and 2 teaspoons into a spray bottle. l. aroma oils. Shake and spray the affected area. After an hour, wipe the treated area with a dry cloth. Sometimes, to enhance the effect, flavored oil is added to a chemical antiseptic.

Tea tree oil is a strong antiseptic

Grapefruit Seed Extract

The herbal preparation effectively cleans contaminated areas from pathogenic microorganisms and leaves a light aroma of freshness. Take 40 ml of extract per 1 liter of water. The diluted product is sprayed over the coating. Don't wash it off.

Silicate or office glue

The method helps to cope with the initial signs of infection. The glue is diluted with water (1:3) and applied to the dark spots with a brush. The sticky liquid dries out and prevents moisture retention and the development of a new lesion.

Copper sulfate

To destroy mold fungi, a saturated (3 - 5%) solution of copper sulfate is required. To prepare the liquid, first dilute 0.3 - 0.5 kg of powder in 1 liter of warm water. Stir thoroughly and add 9 liters at the same temperature. The diluted substance is applied with a brush or spray. The dried surface is treated again.

When processing wooden building structures and furniture, clay is added to the composition so that the fungus does not penetrate inside. Copper sulfate is toxic, so the procedure should not be performed around children and animals. Before work, put on a respirator and gloves.

Additional Information! The antiseptic is diluted in plastic or glass containers; metal containers cannot be used.

Potassium permanganate solution

Potassium permanganate disinfects treated areas. To prepare the liquid 1 teaspoon. l. powder is added to a liter of lukewarm water. Contaminated fragments are wiped with a napkin. The composition is not washed off.

Pharmaceutical drug kills spores

Laundry soap

A saturated soap solution helps destroy the first manifestations of pathogens. A bar of soap is grated and combined with warm water. Gently wash off the black deposits with soap foam. After drying, the procedure is repeated.

Antiseptic primer

The product destroys visible manifestations of pathogenic microorganisms and stops the growth of mycelium. Available in the form of a concentrate, which is diluted with water before use, or in the form of a ready-to-use product. The affected area is cleaned: contaminated wallpaper and plaster are removed. A concrete or brick wall is treated with a primer according to the instructions. When the composition is absorbed and dry, finishing begins.

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:

1. Dermatitis and other skin diseases, the nature of which is difficult to determine, which means they are difficult to treat.
2. Diseases of the respiratory system, such as asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia.

3. Diseases of the musculoskeletal system, as mold spores negatively affect human joints.
4. Allergic reactions up to Quincke's edema.
5. 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.

How to remove mold using other folk methods

Sometimes, to get rid of mold fungi, saturated solutions of urea or furatsilin are prepared. If single-component products are useless, a multi-component fungicidal preparation is prepared at home. Common antifungal compounds:

1. Pour 1.5 tablespoons into 2 liters of water. l. sodium phosphate and 25 g of bleach. Treat the damaged surface. After 1.5 hours, the coating is washed.
2. To 5 liters of hot water add 0.75 kg of sodium fluoride and 0.25 kg of iron and copper sulfate. Stir thoroughly and cool slightly. When warm, spread onto the coating.
3. Boric acid (400 g) is mixed with borax (900 g), acetic acid (1.4 l) and water) 10 l. The solution is heated to 70℃ and sprayed warm onto the moldy fragment. After 4 weeks, the treatment is repeated.

Traditional recipes are effective when blackening occupies a small area on wallpaper or plaster.

Copper sulfate kills mold

Reference! To avoid the growth of mycelium, the correct ventilation regime is observed: windows and balcony doors are opened for 15 - 20 minutes 3 - 4 times a day (more often in warm weather). Prolonged ventilation in cold weather causes the apartment to cool down.

How to get rid of black mold on walls

Fighting mold is a painstaking and lengthy task. To destroy black plaque means to remove external signs of micromycete activity. If the causes of the emergence and development of microscopic fungi are not eliminated, the colony will continue to grow.

Before you start removing black mold from the walls, you should throw away the contaminated items. If moldy items are stored, the spores will cause rapid contamination of textiles, paper, and leather accessories. Having freed the rooms from spore-bearing sources, they begin cleaning.

Habitat

Where is black mold most likely to appear? She, like all fungi, needs a nutrient medium. The most suitable conditions for its life are damp places. For example, if there is a problem with leaking pipes in the bathroom, then there is a high probability of dark spots forming on the walls.

In addition, black mold can be found anywhere - in the refrigerator, near ventilation grilles, vents, on bread, fabric, under the sink, bathtub, at the joints of tiles, in places where the shower stall or bathtub touches the walls.

The main condition for the existence of black mold is high humidity. It can feed on both organic and inorganic products, such as glue and wallpaper.

How to repair a damaged room

You shouldn’t limit yourself to removing mold on a damaged wall in your apartment. For prevention, the house is completely treated: pathogenic spores are constantly contained in the air and, under favorable conditions, will begin to spread throughout the house.

Complete home renovation required

When renovating an apartment, much attention is paid to corners, interpanel seams, and places where walls meet the floor and ceiling: mold fungi live here. Intensively clean rooms where humidity may increase:

• bathroom;
• kitchen;
• toilet;
• balcony;
• basement.

First, visible stains and growths are destroyed, old coatings are removed down to the brick (concrete). Then the cleaned structures are impregnated with an antiseptic. After drying, they begin finishing and applying a waterproofing coating to the floor.

Additional Information! For plastering, it is worth using lime-cement mixtures, which are more durable, resistant to moisture and the formation of fungi than lime compositions.

Wall cleaning

Each wall is carefully treated. To remove mold on the wall, follow the following algorithm:

1. Moisten the damaged area generously, covering adjacent areas to block the spread of spores.
2. Clean the plaque: use a sharp spatula to remove wallpaper, contaminated layers of paint, and plaster. Use a stiff metal brush to remove the build-up.
3. The concrete is impregnated with an antifungal compound: the anti-mold agent is evenly distributed on the walls, covering the surrounding areas that appear clean. If this rule is neglected, the structure may be re-infected.
4. The second layer of the substance is placed on the dried first layer, then the third.
5. To prevent re-injury, a protective agent is used.

After treatment, a healthy microclimate is created in the house to prevent the reappearance of micromycetes: they monitor cleanliness and temperature conditions, improve ventilation, and normalize air humidity.

Effective anti-mold agents

Reference! To prevent the spread of spores, affected wallpaper, remaining paint and plaster that have been removed are immediately destroyed.

How to remove fungus from bathroom walls

In the bathroom, mold on the walls often appears at the seams between the tiles or at the junctions between the walls and the plumbing. To destroy black deposits around the tiles, the affected areas are first cleaned with a metal scraper, then covered with antiseptic grout.

If the sealant near the connection between the plumbing and the wall becomes moldy, the contaminated silicone is removed and the damaged area is treated with an antifungal agent. After drying, the elastic mixture is reapplied.

To remove spores from the ceiling, the damaged area is moistened generously. After 1.5 - 2 hours, the plaster is cleaned off. Exposed irregularities are smoothed over with putty. When the coating dries, apply a primer containing fungicidal substances. The dried layer is impregnated with a penetrating primer. After drying, sanding and leveling the area, the surface is finished.

A leaky faucet and rusty pipes lead to the appearance of mold in the bathroom

Additional Information! If fungus has just appeared on the ceiling, lubricate the cleaned surface with any available product - aroma oil (eucalyptus, tea tree or rosemary), vinegar, soda or bleach. With intensive growth of the colony, special means are required.

Why does mold appear?

To defeat mold, it is necessary to determine the cause of its appearance. After all, its spores are found in any room, and if favorable conditions are created for it, it begins to come to life and grow.

So let's get down to business.

• High humidity combined with poor ventilation. Kitchens and bathrooms are often affected areas, for obvious reasons.
• Walls that are frozen.
• Leaking water from water pipes
• Ground moisture
• Leaky roof in a house
• A room that is rarely heated

When mold appears, a “dirty” heavy aroma appears that is familiar to everyone. It is important not only to get rid of such plaque, but also to prevent the cause of its appearance.

How to get rid of mold in an apartment using specialized means

When the colony grows strongly, special means are used. Ready-made preparations with a fungicidal effect help destroy fungus on the walls.

Senezh Effo

A bleaching water composition containing active oxygen can be used to treat walls against mold and moss. The product destroys surface lesions on wood, concrete, stone, and tiles. Easily absorbed without leaving streaks. Using a coarse brush, distribute the solution over the affected areas (150 g per 1 m2). After 3 hours, apply the second layer. After application, do not wash off. The drug is not mixed with other substances. Avoid contact of liquid with metal.

Olympus stop mold

Solution for getting rid of moss and fungus. Protects cellars and basements, damp rooms from lichen. Helps clean bathrooms, roofs and facades from rot. The composition is used for treating brick, concrete, ceramic, and wooden bases. The liquid is distributed over a previously cleaned dry surface. At an air temperature of +20℃ it dries within a day.

The composition quickly penetrates into the structure of the material

Homeenpoisto Tikkurila

The antiseptic is produced in the form of gel and tablets for external use. Contains sodium compounds – hypochlorite and hydroxide. It causes corrosion, so this product cannot be used to clean metal parts. The composition is used to treat concrete, painted and wooden facades overgrown with mold. Roofs made of concrete tiles and fiber cement boards are washed. The drug cleans wooden structures from blue stains that have not had time to penetrate deep into the fibers.

The gel is pre-diluted with water (1:3). 1 – 3 hours after cleaning, the solution is thoroughly washed off. Smooth, clean surfaces are ready for finishing.

Alpa fongifluid

Fungicidal liquid is considered the best way to prevent and protect against black mold. Cleans the base - brick, drywall, concrete, stone, as well as finishing materials. The new generation product does not damage the coating, does not change the color of the material, and does not leave streaks.

A five-liter canister is enough to remove fungus from the walls of an apartment with an area of ​​25 m2. The undiluted substance is applied to the contamination. After 6 days, the remaining mold is cleaned off with a brush. If the damage is severe, the operation must be repeated.

Effective anti-mold compounds

Savo

The spray contains sodium hypochlorite. Cleans bathrooms, swimming pools, showers from mold, algae and moss. The substance penetrates into hard-to-reach places. Does not require preliminary cleaning of contamination. After 20 minutes, the treated area is rinsed. A single treatment is sufficient to destroy spores. Also used for prevention.

Dali

A remedy for mold and mildew that has settled on brick, concrete, wood and drywall. The 0.6 liter bottle is designed to treat an area of ​​up to 12 m2. Easily absorbed and quickly penetrates into the surface being cleaned. Does not contain chlorine compounds, does not smell and does not cause allergies.

The procedure is carried out at a temperature of +5 degrees. The antiseptic is applied with a paint brush to dry external or internal walls. After two days, the remaining dirt is cleaned off. The effect of the drug lasts 20 years.

Contacting cleaning companies

If you couldn’t overcome the problem on your own and the black “guest” visits the premises again, you should turn to professionals .

Mechanical cleaning with cleaners varies from 60 (ATEKS-M company) to 500 rubles. per m2 (Moscow City Sanitary Service).

At the same time, the minimum treatment area for which specialists will visit will be 5 m2 + the price for applying the chemical composition from 350 rubles. per m2.

Getting rid of mold with the help of specialists costs an average of 3 thousand. rub.

All available innovative technologies will be used . Namely – diagnostics, surface cleaning, quartzing the room from spores. If necessary and desired, clients are given recommendations regarding maintaining the stated effect.

You should entrust the work only to trusted cleaning companies. It’s worth checking recommendations and reading reviews. This will save you from disappointment in the final result and loss of money.

How to deal with unpleasant odor

Sometimes the smell of dampness persists in the house even after removing the fungus and regular ventilation. To remove the putrid stench, containers with crushed coal or soda are placed around the apartment. Previously treated areas are sprinkled with soda, after 1.5 - 2 hours the powder is cleaned off.

Activated carbon absorbs the smell of rot

Reference! Air purifiers with HEPA filters and air conditioners that have fine filters installed - antibacterial, plasma, zeolite - help reduce air humidity. The power of the devices is distributed over a large area.

Radical method

This method is used for severe mold growth when other methods are powerless. The room is cleared of furniture and household items and processed completely, sequentially performing the following steps:

1. First, the old coverings are removed - the ceiling, walls, and floor are left bare.
2. The room is dried with a hair dryer.
3. Dried surfaces are treated with a fungicidal substance.
4. After drying, the procedure is repeated.
5. The dry room is being renovated using antiseptic agents.

The labor-intensive procedure kills the mold forever.

How to remove mold if folk remedies don’t help

When folk recipes and household chemicals are powerless to get rid of black mold without leaving a trace, they use potent toxic substances or contact a cleaning service. Cleaning masters use air ionizers and aggressive special agents, so owners and their pets leave the house and return when the treated surfaces are dry.

Intensive treatment kills spores and stops re-infection of the apartment

If the walls are eaten through, company employees first examine the apartment with a thermal imager to identify defects in thermal insulation. Then the surfaces are cleaned of coatings and treated with a biocide fog. After intensive disinfection, the rooms are thoroughly ventilated.

Types of mold

Mold stains that often appear in the home come in several varieties.:

• Whitevine - most often found in flower pots due to overwatering or using too much fertilizer
• Green vine - often found on building materials
• Black mold - this fungus appears in apartments and houses more often than others. It has subspecies. A common feature they all have is color, which appears at a certain stage of development. It also matters on what surface the mold settles.
• Blue mantle - often forms on wooden surfaces, gives them a milky blue tint and dissolves the varnish layer;
• Rotting mold is also the most common contaminant of wood, causing it to disintegrate and turn gray or brown.

The possibility of detection depends on how far the mold has spread in the indoor air and settled on surfaces, acting from the very beginning in the air. Most often these are cough, nausea, shortness of breath and chronic diseases that are difficult to diagnose. It can also cause nausea, headaches and fatigue.

These are all the result of being in a damp room full of mold. Therefore, it is important to fight it in a timely manner, as soon as its manifestations appear. There are many options to fix it.

What happens if the fungus is not removed?

The fungus multiplies quickly. Spores quickly spread throughout the apartment, damaging building structures, finishing materials and furniture. Within 30 days, the infected tree becomes rotten, brick and concrete are destroyed.

When breathing, microscopic particles of the pathogen settle on the bronchi and penetrate deeply into the lungs. This causes pneumonia and bronchial asthma. If you spend a long time in rooms affected by the fungus, you experience constant headaches, stomach upsets, and nosebleeds. Sometimes the condition of the liver and kidneys worsens.

If there is no hood, fungus will form in the kitchen.

Causes and places of distribution

Black fungus easily penetrates into living spaces, but when unfavorable factors are created, it is quickly destroyed. The main reasons for its reproduction are increased levels of humidity and heat .

Causes:

• improper installation and operation of metal-plastic windows;
• insufficient ventilation or its absence;
• errors in the design of the building, due to which the corners are constantly wet from rain and freeze in winter;
• failure to comply with sanitary standards (the accumulation of moldy products in the kitchen leads to further spread of the fungus).

Ideal temperature for fungus: +18-25°C with a humidity level of 70%.

How to combat black mold with preventive measures

To avoid the growth of a mold colony, follow the following preventive measures:

• prevent plumbing leaks;
• insulate the house for the winter;
• keep the house clean, carry out wet cleaning regularly;
• do not over-moisten the soil in flower pots, replant plants on time;
• washed clothes are dried in a washing machine or outside;
• regulate the temperature and degree of air humidity;
• do not block ventilation ducts;
• turn on the hood in the kitchen;
• the bathroom door is kept open;
• after a shower, straighten the curtain so that it dries well;
• do not allow connections between the ventilation ducts of the bathroom, kitchen and rooms;
• spoiled food is thrown away promptly;
• destroy objects affected by mold;
• for finishing they buy “breathable” materials.

Simultaneously with the removal of the fungus, insects are destroyed to avoid the transfer of spores by pests.

Additional Information! When arranging furniture, you should not move large cabinets or sofas close to the wall: this will worsen the circulation of air flow, cause condensation and the development of mold.

Signs of infection and their prediction

Mold does not appear on concrete immediately - in most cases, spores of parasitic microflora settle on the surface of structures outside, often indoors during operation. Risk groups include:

• Bathrooms and toilets;
• Kitchens without hoods, especially in hostels and catering establishments without proper treatment;
• Rooms whose walls go to the upper ceiling (roof) or to internal wall junctions, where precipitation drainage is poorly organized;
• Basements, often unheated;
• Old and dilapidated houses, where the microclimate is disturbed and high humidity prevails, walls are leaking, etc.

It is not always possible to notice the appearance of fungi right away - you never know where the outbreak forms. How he introduces himself:

• The appearance of colored spots on wet lesions;
• Wallpaper and paint are falling off, plaster is crumbling;
• After repair, the new cladding quickly comes off;
• A characteristic smell of rot appears.

Rules for chemical processing

Strong fungicidal drugs are toxic. Therefore, before chemical treatment, cover the face with a mask or respirator, wear goggles and gloves.

Protect your face and hands when working

Prepare the tools:

• sharp construction spatulas;
• hard sponges and brushes;
• paint brushes;
• sprayer;
• roller;
• napkins.

Carefully read the instructions for the drugs, follow the algorithm of action and dosage. The coating is completely removed, after which they begin to destroy the fungus. Sometimes the fungicidal base has to be applied 2–3 times. The dried surface is treated with an antiseptic primer, plastered, and covered with a waterproofing mixture.