Mold in the bedroom - How to get rid of mold

Mold in the basement - how to avoid it and how to deal with it?

Mold often forms in the basement, as there are ideal conditions

How can it be removed and how is mold produced? We will answer these questions now, but we also provide much more information on the subject, such as what types of mold exist or what health problems can occur due to mold or mildew.

Causes of mold in the basement

Whether in the basement or in the apartment, mold is harmful to health, so it must be removed as quickly as possible. Mold often develops on the walls due to improper ventilation or excessively humid air. Basically, it also forms in the basement due to the high moisture content on excessively cold walls or other surfaces. There can be several reasons for this: for example, faulty water pipes, through which the water flows, or it is regularly absorbed in the walls. The moisture spreads so that we don't even notice it. If the moisture "finds" a cold place, it becomes saturated and mold forms in the basement. Now that was a very layman's explanation. We could also describe the phenomenon as the formation of steam, i.e. the humidity of the air reaches 100%. Warm air can absorb more water than cold air, which is why the air outside is sometimes stuffy, which means that the humidity of the air is high in extreme heat.

Since the air in the basement is suddenly unable to hold water, it condenses in cold places or "fog" forms. However, the development of mold always depends on the building materials used. Of course, there are other factors as well. It forms extremely quickly when using concrete, polystyrene, wallpapers and paints with a high plastic content, as well as near window openings. Basements are primarily affected because moisture can barely escape from the basement. The basement is therefore also the main point of attack for moisture, since there are many pipes running here, on which the air condenses and condenses.

Not all mold is what it seems

In fact, not all mold is what it seems. Salt or saltpetre efflorescence caused by moisture also looks like mold at first glance. These salts can be easily removed from the walls using a broom or hand broom. But be careful: these saltpeter blooms also have a specific reason! Most often, they indicate moisture that seeps into the masonry from the outside.

Health problems

There are many types of health damage that can develop due to mold, such as bronchial disease, cough, fever, muscle pain, allergies, migraine or even skin inflammation. Of course, these diseases also depend on the type of mold, such as black mold, white mold or mold.

How to stop mold and dampness in the basement?

Mold is very easy to deal with. For this I will list some hopefully useful examples. The most important thing is to improve the thermal insulation and to avoid the above-mentioned materials during installation.

Thermal insulation can also be solved in a practical way, with an indoor thermal insulation coating, which, in addition to its simple use, is also beneficial because, unlike foamed thermal insulation, mold does not form between the thermal insulation material and the wall, but offers a permanent mold-free solution.

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In many cases, it can also be useful to install an air conditioning or ventilation device, or to simply ventilate suddenly several times a day for five to ten minutes, which, however, is not always possible in the basement and should be avoided especially in the summer.

Of course, the walls must not cool down too much, i.e. do not open the windows wide when the temperature is cold outside. We can also turn up the heating in the whole house so that the walls stay warm, and we simply don't put furniture in the corners.

Be sure to keep the following tip in mind:

The cellar should not be ventilated in the summer, as the humidity increases, on the other hand, continuous ventilation in the winter offers a great opportunity to keep the cellar dry, thereby avoiding mold.

• Warm air absorbs more moisture than cold air, so do not ventilate the basement in summer. Otherwise, the warm air will enter the basement and condense.
• In winter, cold outdoor air can absorb moisture from the basement better. One reason why it is worth ventilating the basement often in winter.

Summary of the mold in the basement

I am confident that I was able to help and that the information will make "less mold in the world". If only a few factors or only partially are observed, we can even then find that the risk of mold infection in the basement or apartment can be kept at a significantly lower level. Of course, if we do the exact opposite of these, we can set the world record for the "most mold-infested house".

However, I wouldn't really recommend this, as life without mold is much healthier, easier and more comfortable. If we don't do anything about mold, it can have a very strong negative effect on health, and possibly also affect the age of the residents. The risk of illness caused by mold is especially high for young children. The same applies to older, weaker people whose immune systems are no longer fully intact.

Moisture in the masonry

Under certain conditions, mold in the basement develops as a result of soil moisture infiltrating due to missing or inadequate vertical and horizontal waterproofing of the foundation. Wet basements are especially common in old buildings.

The renovation is not only effective against the formation of mold, but ultimately also serves to preserve the value of the building. Rainwater seeping into the ground presses against the outer walls of the cellar. In the absence of effective insulation, the walls absorb moisture.

In addition, there is a risk of damage to the masonry due to frost in winter. In the case of buildings located in sloping areas, the problem is generally exacerbated in the event of heavy rain. On the other hand, a leak in the city's or town's plumbing system can also cause sudden wetting.

Making the basement dry:

1. Design of vertical waterproofing

Preferably, the vertical waterproofing is located outside. This forms a shell that reliably keeps water and moisture out. Retrofitting the waterproofing involves a lot of work, as the soil around the building has to be excavated all the way to the foundation.

The exposed masonry is then given a foundation layer, then a bituminous surface treatment, and finally, if necessary, a drain board. Ideally, drainage will also be built. Today, insulation is much more important than in the past when building a basement, in order to avoid moisture damage.

2. Horizontal waterproofing against rising moisture

The capillary action of masonry favors wet walls in the basement. If appropriate, the floors located above it may also be affected. To keep the walls dry, horizontal waterproofing is required, which forms a barrier against moisture.

There are several methods for creating such a barrier layer, such as tensioning or section-by-section notching and placement of insulation strips. As an alternative solution, the tamping of stainless stainless steel plates or the injection process for closing the pores and channels of masonry bricks can be considered.

3. Drying is followed by drying

Although the walls have been insulated both externally and horizontally, this still does not mean that moisture has been banished. Masonry can store a very large amount of moisture.

In order for the walls to dry, the water must evaporate, which can take years. The use of a building dryer is recommended, which significantly shortens the drying process.

Flood and inland water

Strikingly frequent, unusual weather events indicate ongoing climate change. Long, hot dry periods are followed by wet periods with lots of precipitation. If the intense rainfall cannot flow quickly enough, or if the rivers overflow their banks, the basements will be flooded.

As soon as the water recedes, the building dryer can be of great use, as it works against the formation of mold. In the case of new buildings, flood protection begins with the construction of the basement. Water can be kept away with the help of expedient solutions, which also apply to basement shafts and casement and sliding windows.



Summary:

Mold formation in the basement should not be underestimated. The structure suffers damage under such conditions, which causes the property to lose value. A dry environment must be ensured for permanent freedom from mold. In some cases, insulation work is necessary to prevent more moisture from seeping in from the outside.