How to prevent the recurrence of efflorescence on the wall?
When tackling fungal infestation in the walls, it should be borne in mind that the removal of efflorescence alone will not resolve the problem. The key is to identify and remove the cause of the moisture contamination of the wall. Efflorescence most commonly develops due to inadequate ventilation, although water may penetrate into the room from the outside e.g. as a result of a broken rain gutter, a leaky roof or other structural defects of the building, or when wet gypsum plasterboards have been installed. In such a case, the treatment of a mould-infested building should begin with mould removal.
If it appears that hacking off the plaster is necessary, it is important to expose crude wall within a radius of approx. 1 meter around the fungal-infested area. Once the surface has been thoroughly cleaned with a stiff bristle brush, it is to be rinsed with clean water and thoroughly dried. However, when walls constructed of panels are concerned, they need to be replaced with new ones. In addition, to make sure that the spores will not get to the air we breathe, the surface needs to be coated with a special preparation which is harmful not only to fungi. When applying it, it is essential to take all the necessary precautions and strictly follow the manufacturer’s instructions. It is then necessary to wait several hours for the preparation to penetrate into the walls. After this time, we can begin plastering the wall once again.
It is much less of a problem if the sound is “full”, which means that the mould or fungi have infested the wall superficially. It is then sufficient to wash the contaminated area of the wall or ceiling very thoroughly with a stiff bristle brush.
As it was mentioned at the beginning, the fungi or mould develop on the walls due to inadequate ventilation and excessive humidity in rooms. Water vapour condenses and settles upon the walls, thus providing the ideal conditions for the development of fungi and mould. Therefore, to prevent the problem, the air circulation needs to be forced through a well-functioning exhaust ventilation system, and, above all, through the regular airing of the rooms. Another important point is the proper choice of windows, as those without suitable trickle ventilation obstruct proper ventilation and, over time, can cause moisture to appear, which is the first step in fungal development.
In an attempt to reduce heating cost and heat consumption, the mistake is often made of sealing windows and doors, which reduces the intensity of airing. Such actions, however, reduce ventilation efficiency. In order for ventilation to be effective, it is required to “open” the building to the external air, which, where no heat recuperation ventilation or micro-ventilation systems are used, may result in the cooling of rooms. A moisture absorber will help maintain a proper humidity level in the room. It should be remembered that a healthy microclimate in the house is determined not only by the temperature but also the humidity of the air. The optimal humidity level in the house, healthy for humans and plants, is from 50 to 60%. Too much moisture inside the house is revealed by fogged-up window panes, water vapour droplets under the ceiling, peeling wallpapers, and damp furniture. A damp room is likely to become permeated with a musty smell. Leather or upholstered furniture, when kept too damp for a long time, will begin to rot. After a while, excessive moisture can cause mould to appear in rooms: around window panes and in wall corners, especially high up on the ceiling or behind furniture, where the air circulation is restricted. The emergence of fungi and mould in the house should trigger a red alert among the occupants, as this condition is hazardous for health.
The following signs may indicate the emergence of mould in the house:
- fogged-up window panes,
- water droplets under the ceiling,
- peeling wallpapers,
- damp furniture,
- musty smell,
- a darkened colour of the walls.
What is to be prevented is the accumulation of these dangerous changes, and even the first signals should trigger our response. If we do not trust our senses, however, it is worth purchasing either a hygrometer or humidity indicator strips that change colour depending on the humidity level in the room.
Author: EG System. In order to check whether the humidity level in the air is correct, humidity indicator strips can be placed in sensitive rooms.
Nowadays, moisture problems are becoming increasingly common, as more and more air-tight houses are built, and gravity ventilation is sometimes insufficient. On a daily basis, it is a good idea to use moisture absorbers in tablets or sachets in the bathroom or kitchen. Such absorbers can also be used in sleeping rooms, especially children’s ones, in the living room, utility room, or a garage. However, if the excessive moisture results from construction errors e.g. inadequately insulated walls, or from the specific use of rooms e.g. for utility purposes, which involves moisture emission, it is necessary to reach for a more effective product, namely an electric moisture absorber.