Do you have mold in your home? This means that the home is unhealthy to live in. Mold indicates saturated air and the possible presence of a moisture problem.
It is important to reduce the humidity so that mold no longer has a chance to grow back. Do you want to know what mold does to your health and how to best combat mold? Very good, because in this article we will tell you all about it.
Mold is harmful, be careful!
There are many different types of white, yellow, brown or black mould. Black mould in particular is the most dangerous, because it contains the most toxic mould spores. These spores or ‘mycotoxins’ cause serious damage to the respiratory tract, especially in the long term. In the first phase, moulds increase the chance of moderate symptoms such as a blocked nose, sore throat or phlegm cough. These symptoms indicate that the respiratory tract is irritated by the presence of the toxic mould spores. In a later phase, the chance increases that this irritation leads to hypersensitive body reactions, also known as allergies. Serious respiratory diseases such as asthma or bronchitis can even develop.
In addition to the respiratory system, mold also has an indirect effect on joints. Mold is usually found in rooms that are too humid. If the indoor climate becomes too humid/saturated, this often leads to rheumatic disorders or various forms of arthritis. Rheumatism and arthritis are chronic inflammations that cause pain and stiffness in muscles or joints. These disorders increase as the indoor climate becomes more humid, such as in autumn and winter.
How to recognize mold?
It seems easy to recognize mold, but that is not always the case. Mold often lives in the house for a long time before it becomes visible. And that is why it is recommended to pay attention to the smell. Mold spreads a deep earthy smell. This is comparable to the smell of damp cellars. Is it difficult to recognize this smell? Then it will help you if you know the smell of rotting wood. Mold has this specific woody smell. However, do not confuse this smell with other smells that come from wood. Healthy wood also spreads a specific smell, but it is not the same as the smell of rotting wood.
When the mold has been living in the house for a while, small spots appear on walls, ceilings or furniture. These have a different color depending on the surface. Do you think you see mold spores? Then put on latex gloves and place your hands against the wall. If you feel that the wall is very cold and wet or you can wipe away the visible spores, then there is mold formation.
How can I combat mold myself?
Most types of mould disappear when you treat them with vinegar. If the mould is stubborn, you can use a mixture of soda and water (6g soda per litre of water) or bleach. Do you want to tackle it thoroughly and professionally right away? Then you can choose from various anti-fungal products that offer additional benefits. For example, these have a longer exposure time and adhere better to the surface. In addition, professional anti-fungal products are user-friendly, because they spread a less sharp, penetrating odour and cause less splashing.
Which antifungal products are effective?
Combating mold can only be done if you use the right products in the right way. For the more stubborn mold, you need strong anti-mold products that work extra thoroughly on the surface. The exposure time often varies depending on the anti-mold product you use, but that says little about the effectiveness. The extent to which the mold disappears mainly depends on the way you apply the product. Some anti-mold products only need to be applied, while with other products it is important to scrub very well. Make sure that you ventilate the room very well while removing the mold and that you also wear a mask and gloves. And you should not simply bring anti-mold products into contact with other cleaning products. It is therefore important to always read the instructions thoroughly. The right approach will then ensure an effective end result.
How to have mold removed professionally?
Since the presence of mold indicates that there is a moisture problem, it is not enough to just remove the mold stains. A professional moisture expert will mainly focus on stubborn molds such as house fungus or cellar fungus with professional products. You may not tackle a mold problem yourself since highly toxic products are used and the techniques themselves are also diverse (flaring, impregnating, etc.). For this type of serious mold, you should always contact a professional.
Why is professional mold control necessary?
It is important that the underlying moisture problem is solved permanently, so that the indoor climate is completely healthy and dry. To be sure that mold stays away permanently, you therefore need an expert in professional mold control. It is possible to remove stubborn mold yourself, but only an expert is able to tackle the underlying moisture problem structurally so that the mold never returns. And that all has to do with craftsmanship.
Damp control is only effective if it is preceded by a thorough damp diagnosis, in which an expert then offers the right solution. For this solution, the expert works safely and structurally. For example, does Aquavent discover rising or penetrating damp, is there a problem with damp substrate or screed? Then you will receive a thorough analysis of all damp problems and you will immediately know which damp control best suits your home and therefore forms the definitive solution to your mould problem. Once this solution has been applied, you will never have to remove mould again.
Do you have mold? Contact us and we will gladly help you as quickly as possible in a professional manner. The expertise is free and will help you move forward to a qualitative and definitive solution for your moisture problem.
The Aquavent in your area is happy to help you with advice and assistance.
Simon Dejaeghere
Onze specialist Simon is een ervaren expert op het gebied van opstijgend vocht. Dankzij zijn diepgaande kennis en jarenlange praktijkervaring kan hij problemen snel herkennen, de juiste diagnose stellen en effectieve oplossingen adviseren. Simon begeleidt klanten van de eerste inspectie tot en met de uiteindelijke behandeling.
