Suffering from mould on wall?
What exactly is mould in the home? How do you recognise mould on the wall and what can you do about it? What are the consequences for your home and your health? Find out everything you need to know about mould on walls.
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Free diagnosis
Are you suffering from mould on your walls and don't know exactly what is causing it? Or do you want to get rid of this problem for good? We would be happy to help! Our experts will be happy to help. Via a free moisture analysis, we can determine exactly what problem you are facing. After all, a good diagnosis of moisture is essential to find an appropriate solution.
What exactly are moulds on walls?
Mould on the wall can come in different colours and shapes. Mould in itself is not a moisture problem, but often a moisture problem is at the root of those moulds on the wall. Each of these moisture problems has its own solutions. We will go into that in more detail later.
The most common species are white mould, green mould and black mold.
White mould
White mould is often caused by damp conditions, wall salt or saltpetre. It involves various types of white mould, mostly on exterior walls.
Black mould
Black mould, or Stachybotrys Chartarum, is a dark fungus that starts as small dots on damp areas such as walls, kitchens or bathrooms and can grow into larger spots.
Green mould
Green fungi such as aspergillus and cladosporium are common. Aspergillus lives on sugar- and starch-rich food, while cladosporium attacks plants and depends on outdoor air and indoor plants indoors.
How do I recognise mould on the wall?
There are several symptoms that can indicate mould on the wall. The most obvious is black or green deposits in the recesses and corners of the room. You also have something like white mould, but this kind is less easy to spot. Usually, it gives a white sheen on the walls.
Besides the visible symptoms on the wall, there are some other things that may indicate that you suffer from mould on the wall.
What are the consequences of mould on the wall?
After the cause of the problem has been found and addressed, you can move on to removing the mould from the walls.
Effects of mould on the wall on your health
As you might suspect, fungi (and specifically black mould) sometimes have major health implications. This largely applies to children, the elderly, people with existing lung or respiratory problems, and those with weakened immune systems. An example is people with asthma. The spores of black mould can cause a variety of health problems, including:
Consequences of mould on the wall on your home
It's not just a drain on your health. Your house also looks off from mould on the wall. The longer the mould grows on the wall, the weaker that wall becomes. In the best cases, the paint or wallpaper starts to peel off, but if your house is a timber-frame construction, it can also affect that skeleton.
The causes of mould on walls and their solutions
We discuss the most common causes of mould on the wall, and their corresponding solutions. We strongly recommend using a moisture expert to be involved in finding out the cause, as he or she assures you of a correct diagnosis.
1. Penetrating moisture
At penetrating moisture the outer walls of the house are the big culprit. These can no longer handle the moisture from outside - often a lot of rain - at that point, causing the wall to absorb that moisture. Permeable damp causes mould in random places in the house, but only on the outer walls. The best solution for penetrating damp is a waterproofing layer on the facades of the house. This prevents moisture from getting inside.
2. Rising damp
Also rising damp can cause you to deal with mould on the wall. In this case, the mould spots start at the bottom of the wall, and work their way upwards. Rising damp is caused when groundwater pressure is too high and/or the water barrier in the walls is deficient. The most appropriate solution for rising damp is to have injecting your walls.
3. Condensation moisture
Condensation moisture occurs when warm air condenses on a cold place in the house. Mould due to condensation moisture often occurs in places like the kitchen or bathroom, in other words places where warm moisture can settle on the cold wall. The solution to a problem like condensation moisture, is to install a good ventilation system. That ventilation system moves the steam away from the room so it has no chance to condense on the walls.
4. Cold bridges
Also thermal bridges cause moisture problems. The insulation does not fit together properly, allowing cold air to enter and mould to take free rein.
5. Leaks
Finally, leaks or broken pipes can also be the big culprit. This is slightly less common and often easier to spot. The ideal solution here is to have a leak detection company come by.
Remove mould on the wall? Start by tackling the moisture problem
If you are dealing with mould on your walls, it is wise to tackle (or have tackled) this problem. However, there is no universal method to combat mould on walls, and it is not enough to remove only the visible mould. To get rid of mould in your home permanently, it is best to follow these steps:
After the moisture problem, tackle the moulds too
After the cause of the problem has been found and addressed, you can move on to removing the mould from the walls.
Remove mould on wall yourself
Whether you can remove the mould from the wall yourself depends on the severity of that mould. Do you only find some black dots here and there? Then you can certainly do it yourself. Here are the following tips:
Have mould on wall removed
Does it involve large spots on the walls? Then it is best to call in a professional such as AquaConsult. This is because professionals have the right equipment and specialised resources, which are more effective than standard cleaning products. Moreover, they not only remove the visible mould, but also tackle the underlying cause. Because, when the mould seems to disappear superficially, microscopic spores can remain behind and cause problems again. Professional treatment guarantees a thorough and lasting solution.
Preventing mould in the future
You obviously want to Prefer to avoid mould on walls then fight it. We give you some tips to avoid mould in your home:
Are you suffering from mould on the walls yourself?
Then contact Aquaconsult and our specialists will visit for a free moisture assessment, everywhere in Flanders.
What can't moulds on the wall stand up to?
Mould on the wall cannot stand dryness. It is therefore recommended to ventilate sufficiently and ensure low humidity in the house. Once the moisture is gone from the wall and the air, the mould stops growing. This prevents the moulds from spreading further. Moisture is now the breeding ground for moulds. Still moist air is also necessary for survival. By keeping the humidity between 40% and 60% and ventilating your rooms sufficiently, you ensure that the mould on the wall does not spread further or even develop.
Yet ventilation and heating may not be sufficient. If there is an underlying moisture problem, the wall will remain damp and mould may return. Only when the moisture source is removed will you combat the moulds and prevent new damage to the wall.
What is the most dangerous mould in the home?
The most dangerous mould in the home is the black mould, also known as Stachybotrys chartarum. It is the most dangerous form because it can produce harmful substances that affect the health of its inhabitants. This mould grows mainly on damp walls, but also on ceilings or materials such as plaster and wood when there is a long-term moisture problem. You can recognise black mould by dark spots and a musty smell. It also causes symptoms such as respiratory irritation, headaches or fatigue.
It is important to know that not only black mould is dangerous. Other mould on walls can also cause health problems. Their severity depends on the amount of mould, the duration of exposure and the health of the occupants. So don't just have the mould removed, tackle the underlying moisture problem as well. That way, you reduce the risk of health problems.
Does turning on the heating help against mould on the walls?
Just turning on the heating is usually insufficient to effectively remove mould on the wall. This makes the air warmer, but warm air can just retain more moisture. Combined with insufficient ventilation, the moisture settles against the colder walls and mould can develop.
Rather, a constant, stable temperature in the house combined with ventilation and addressing the moisture problem helps prevent mould. If there is a larger moisture problem such as penetrating or rising damp, then the wall inside will remain wet, so heating will have little effect.
Can mould on wall return after treatment?
Short answer: yes. Mould on the wall can return after treatment if the underlying moisture problem itself has not been addressed. If you only make the surface mould-free with a cleaner, you will only solve the visible problem and not its cause. As long as the wall is damp, mould will have another chance to develop.
So a lasting solution requires more than just cleaning the mould stains. Only when the moisture problem is solved will you prevent mould from reappearing on the wall.
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Frequently asked questions about mould on walls
Mould is best removed by first addressing the moisture problem and then thoroughly cleaning the mould from the wall. You can clean small areas with soda and water or a fungicide, but if you don't address the underlying moisture problem, the mould will simply return.
No, painting over mould is not a solution. You do hide the stains on the wall, but you do not address the cause. So if there is insufficient ventilation and a moisture problem, the mould will reappear through the paint. So solve the cause first and only then repaint it to get a permanent result.
The main cause of mould on walls is excessive humidity combined with insufficient ventilation. Especially with condensation moisture, the moist and warm air settles on the colder surfaces, allowing mould to develop. Rising moisture, leaking moisture or leaks that make the wall damp for long periods of time can also cause mould to develop.
Yes, mould on the wall can be harmful to the home, but certainly to the health of its inhabitants. Mould can cause respiratory irritations, allergic reactions or aggravation of asthma. Especially with prolonged exposure. In addition, mould also affects the walls themselves.
