How to Identify and Control the Mould From House

   Mold is a problem for many people. No matter how careful we are at cleaning the house, it appears, again and again, to affect our health and the whole environment of the house. But how to identify mold in the house and how to control it? 

That's why we set out to tell you all about mold, including the causes and methods of making it completely forgotten.

 What is mold, and what are its causes?

   Molds are microscopic fungi that multiply through spores. Surely you have seen at least once a greenish or black spot of mold either in a house (on the walls, in the bathroom in areas with high humidity) or on food. 

They can appear both inside and out. To grow, spores need moisture, and if you have mold on the walls, the first thing you need to do is to remove from your home the main cause of its appearance - moisture. So this is the main cause of mold. 

You should know that the mold that appears on food or the outside does not have the same characteristics as the inside. The scientific names of the molds that are most often found in homes are Cladosporium, Penicillium, Alternaria, and Aspergillus.

    What causes mold?

    When it is warm and humid inside, it is perfect for mold development. One of the signs of high humidity is the formation of condensation. It can be caused by materials used to insulate the walls, or due to the humidity generated by daily activities, such as washing clothes, washing dishes, cooking, or daily showering. 

The humid air, in contact with the cold surfaces - walls, windows - lead to the appearance of condensate. Water infiltrations are another cause of high humidity and implicitly the appearance of mold. Therefore, mold is easily formed in cellars, attics, and on exterior walls or balconies.

    A second reason that leads to mold on the walls is the blockage of moisture transfer from the inside to the outside. In other words, the walls do not "breathe" because the thermal insulation has not been done properly. 

Because of this, moisture builds up inside, condensation forms, and unsightly mold stains appear. Thermal bridges are also a common cause of mold. Especially in a house or room, that is not ventilated daily or there is not adequate ventilation, the chances of mold increase.

    How do we identify mold in the house?

    First of all, visually. We can see it on the walls, ceilings, around the windows, after the mill, in the bathrooms, in the shower, in the kitchen in the sinks, and in general in the dark and unventilated spaces. 

    The second way to identify mold, especially when we do not notice it, is by smell. When you enter a room and it smells specifically clogged and unventilated, it is clear that mold is present.

    The main factors that facilitate the appearance of mold:

• Excessive humidity in the room - the humidity that forms in the house, especially in the kitchen and in the bathroom (from cooking or showering), and the drying of the laundry in the house during the winter, are the causes that lead to the appearance of mold.
• Insufficient heating - is also responsible for the appearance of mold. However, by heating, the humidity in the room is not eliminated, but only the capacity of the air to maintain more humidity in the vapor state is increased so that if a room is heated and then cooled, without ventilating, it will be subject to the same risk. damp or mold.
• Insufficient ventilation of the house - especially in winter, the ventilation is poor, because we avoid opening the windows so as not to cool down in the house. Thus, the air is charged with water vapor (moisture), which is deposited on the walls or windows, turning into condensate and condensation into the mold. Studies show that the optimum humidity in the house should be between 30-60%.

    How does it affect our health, the mold from the house?

    Allergies- Mould has many negative effects on our health, being very dangerous, especially for children. Symptoms of mold allergy include:

• runny nose;
• coughing and sneezing;
• the sensation of irritation in the throat or pressure in the chest;
• wheezing and breathing discomfort;
• tearing, redness of the eyes, and the appearance of burns on the eyes;
• eczema and skin irritations;
• fatigue, headache.

    Respiratory and digestive diseases - Mould can cause or trigger mild or more serious diseases. These include:

• asthma or worsening of asthma in patients;
• fungal sinusitis;
• neurocognitive disorders and memory problems;
• joint bones and muscle problems;
• vision problems;
• renal and gastrointestinal disorders;
• nervous system disorders, depression;
• lung disease.

    How to prevent mold?

    There are a few simple ways to prevent and control mold:

1. Ventilate every room in the house twice a day;
2. After each bath or shower leave the window open and leave the light on for a few minutes, install a fan with a bathroom timer;
3. Clean and ventilate the kitchen very well after cooking, wipe the condensation from the window, leave the window open, and use the hood;
4. Do not dry clothes in the house;
5. Do not place textile rugs on the bathroom floor;
6. Use a dehumidifier. Monitors and controls the humidity in the room with the help of a dehumidifier;

    To clean the mold on the walls and not only, but they're also a multitude of more or less effective commercial solutions and I want to insist on these methods. We have very easy-to-use solutions in our house, such as:

• concentrated apple cider vinegar, clean and prevents mold;
• hydrogen peroxide;
• sodium bicarbonate;

    When renovating or painting the house, use paint and mortar that have additives that act against mold.

    Control the humidity in the house with a dehumidifier.

    The effects of using a dehumidifier at home are far greater than you might expect. Anyone who uses it at least once realizes how useful it can be. 

Dehumidifiers are devices that, in simple terms, remove water from the air in a room and lower the humidity. They are widely used in construction, in industrial production processes, where there are swimming pools, or in areas with high humidity, but such a device also benefits the home user.

    It is important to note that a dehumidifier generally consumes 80% less electricity than traditional heating and ventilation systems. No energy is lost because the electricity used to reduce the humidity level is transformed into heat, and dehumidification is a controllable process as long as the doors and windows are closed. 

On top of that, it's a fast-paced process. The dehumidifier removes water from the air in the room, making it more breathable, healthier, and less harmful.     You will notice in just a few days you will get rid of mold and moisture without using one of the traditional methods that are not always effective.

    If you have any questions or would like to help with advice, feel free to leave a comment and I will answer as soon as I can. Thanks!