Keys To Remove Mold From the Wall and Prevent it From Appearing Again

Contrary to what many people think, mold is a consequence, not a cause, of dampness. Removing mold from the wall and preventing it from appearing again is not an easy task. In today's article we are going to present you with some tips on how to achieve this.

How does mold form on walls?

As we said at the beginning of this text, mold is a consequence, not a cause, of humidity. But not just any kind of humidity. It is the consequence of a very characteristic type of humidity, one of the most common in homes: humidity due to condensation.

In our homes, mold colonies often proliferate on walls, ceilings and windows, a characteristic symptom of excess humidity in the air . There are cases in which this mold even spreads to household items, appearing in closets and taking over especially leather and suede clothing, as well as mattresses, shoes, bedside tables and, in general, furniture that has nooks and crannies that are difficult to ventilate.

The cause of this mold is the excess of water vapor in the air inside our home that tends to condense on cold surfaces , especially in winter. When the water vapor condenses, it turns into water droplets that slide down the surface where they originate.

In the case of flat surfaces (mirrors, tiles or window panes) the water vapour droplets slide down by gravity , leaving no room for mold.

However, on porous surfaces such as walls, water does not slide off in the same way, since as it falls it is absorbed by the wall, running into its pores . As a result, when the surface through which the water has run dries, it takes on a blackish colour , and this is what ends up becoming the typical mould caused by condensation.

Examples to understand how mold grows on walls

Since an example is worth a thousand words, let's explain it this way to make it clear.

On windows, condensed water slides down the glass (smooth surface) until it drips onto the lower frame, so that the wall under the frame (porous surface) has mould stains as it has absorbed moisture, but the window remains intact, without any stains.

The same thing happens with bathroom and kitchen tiles. Although the tiles themselves do not absorb condensed moisture because they are smooth surfaces, we can see how the joints between them are becoming increasingly blackened, since these surfaces do absorb moisture and mold colonies proliferate.

The black spots we all know are actually mold colonies, looking for heat and food to continue growing and reproducing , which originate as a result of condensation humidity.

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Solution to remove mold from the wall forever

Taking into account the above, it is essential to understand that, as long as the conditions that give rise to the generation of mold (such as humidity due to condensation) persist , it will continue to emerge no matter how hard we try to clean it.

Although each case is very specific and the correct solution can only be determined after carrying out a specific study, in general terms we can say that ventilation of the home is the most efficient measure to at least reduce interior humidity and minimize the probability of suffering from condensation.

If ventilation is not enough, in our article Home remedies for condensation humidity you will find more tips to reduce this type of humidity.

And if after doing all this you still have problems with humidity due to condensation, it is most likely that you need to install a ventilation system . There are currently many and varied options on the market; in our article Ventilation systems for homes, which one to choose? we review them all.

And how do I clean mold?

Once the condensation has been eliminated, the best way to eliminate spores and mould is with sodium hypochlorite solutions . There are various products on the market in the range of industrial biocides specifically created for this purpose.

However, except in the case of large-scale condensation problems, the home remedy of diluting bleach in water and rubbing is the most cost-effective , since the active ingredient in bleach is the same.

By using this chemical solution we will be annihilating the living being which, in the absence of the conditions that encouraged its appearance (high humidity and temperatures), will not emerge again.

In cases where we are dealing with deeply rooted mould, it may be advisable to pre-rinse the walls , with the idea of ​​“softening” its resistance and making it easier to eradicate with our homemade biocide.

We can rub the surface with a mixture of detergent and hot water and then ventilate the room to encourage drying.

There is no more effective and cheaper way to remove mold from walls than proper ventilation through air currents , as this will not only speed up the drying of this previous application, but also reduce the humidity of the home and, thus, reduce the possibility of new mold forming.

After this previous step, the application of the sodium hypochlorite solution will take care of “killing the bug” and, if we have known how to adopt the appropriate measures to avoid its appearance , we will finally be free of this recurring headache.