Excessive humidity in the home is a serious problem that can lead to harmful mold or fungus on the walls. It pays to know how to prevent excessive humidity in the home.

Humidity in the home can cause many inconveniences, from an unpleasant smell in the apartment to molds to fungi on the walls. We will look at how to get rid of the effects of excessive humidity and how to prevent this problem.

Mold on the walls: Where does it come from?

  • Mold on the walls mainly appears in rooms such as the bathroom or kitchen, but it can also occur on the wall or around the window.
  • Its appearance is usually preceded by symptoms such as steamy windows, a musty smell in the room or a floor that takes too long to dry.

It is the result of excessive air humidity in the home, caused by e.g.:

  • using building materials that are not vapor permeable
  • excessive leakage of windows
  • improper ventilation of the apartment
  • improper ventilation of the room
  • insufficient heating

What is the optimal humidity in the home?

What is the best humidity in the home?

  • Experts say that the optimal air humidity is 40 to 60%.
  • Too low (below 30%) and too high humidity (above 65%) can harm our health.

It is worth paying attention to this, especially in autumn and winter, when we spend most of our time indoors.

  • Much more damage can be caused by excessive humidity in the home – we can expect such health problems as allergies, respiratory diseases, asthma, reduced concentration, headaches and dizziness, reduced immunity or skin problems.
  • In extreme cases, excessive humidity in the home can cause kidney, liver or joint diseases and even depression.
  • Above all, however, excessive humidity in the home leads to the formation of molds and fungi, which not only damage the walls and ceilings in the rooms, but also have a harmful effect on our health.

Air humidity in the home: How to take care of it?

It goes without saying that it’s a good idea to control the humidity in your home. A hygrometer will help you with this.

  • However, to maintain an optimal level of air humidity in the home, it is worth taking care of effective ventilation, non-passable window fans or openings in the bathroom door.
  • When cooking, it is a good practice to cover pots with lids and turn on the hood above the stove.

And don’t save too much on heating – insufficiently heated rooms can have serious consequences.

Moisture Absorber: Small Cost, Big Benefit

If the air humidity in the apartment remains too high, it is worth buying a moisture absorber. Especially since the simplest devices of this type do not cost much.

  • Most often, it is a small container with a replaceable cartridge, filled with calcium chloride granules. The granulate reacts with water vapor and creates a salt solution that condenses in the container.
  • In addition to the moisture absorber, it is worth ensuring that there are indoor plants such as ivy, ferns or rock plants in our surroundings – they also have an effect on reducing humidity.

How to remove mold from the wall?

If there has already been a problem in our apartment, it is useful to know how to remove mold from the wall. If the problem is fresh and affects a small area, you can try to start the fight against mold with home remedies.

For example:

  • spray the affected surface with alcohol vinegar diluted in a ratio of 1:4 with water – vinegar has antifungal properties and will help fight mold spores; if you wipe the wall after a while, you will remove the mold and the unpleasant smell
  • apply a solution of table salt and water to the affected area – after a short time, wipe off the solution and thoroughly dry the wall
  • apply a thick paste of baking soda and water to the affected area and leave it on for a long time – after thorough wiping, the wall must be dried
  • spray the infected area with a solution of water and 30 drops of tea, lavender or clove oil
  • sprinkle baking soda on the affected area and then apply a mixture made of half a cup of vinegar, 4 squeezed garlic cloves, and 2 teaspoons of granulated garlic.

Alternatively, fungicide sprays are available at home improvement stores. But also keep your health in mind, so wear a mask and protective clothing when using them and protect your surroundings. If the mold has invaded a large area, try to scrape it off with a stiff-bristled brush (soapy water or dish soap will help) and then treat the wall with a fungicide so you can paint it later.

If the problem is serious, it is worthwhile to use the services of experts. It is important to diagnose and eliminate the cause of the mold, otherwise the problem will recur.

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