Quite often, homeowners find dark, sometimes even black, spots on the surface of walls and ceilings, and these manifestations can occur not only in old, but also in recently renovated rooms of the apartment. The defeat of concrete bases by mold or fungus is ubiquitous and this phenomenon cannot be ignored, since microorganisms not only destroy the material on which they form colonies, but also cause various respiratory diseases, provoke the development of asthma and the occurrence of allergies.
Mold should be removed immediately after detection, as these microorganisms multiply quite rapidly. Various means are used to organize this process, and the most effective is the use of an antiseptic for concrete from mold and fungus.
However, before using any remedy, you should find out the cause of the problem. The formation of fungus contributes to increased humidity and lack of ventilation in the room. Usually in an apartment, problems arise in the bathroom and toilet, since it is in these rooms that moisture is present, and ventilation is often clogged or improperly performed.
The causes causing the appearance of microorganisms on the walls, ceiling and floor include the following problems:
- leakage of plumbing fixtures, water and sewer pipes both inside the apartment and in basements and on the street;
- ventilation problems (improper organization, clogging);
- freezing of joint seams in prefabricated houses with poor-quality joints and joints with heating problems;
- moisture on the surface due to wear of roofing materials or improperly organized runoff;
- violation of the waterproofing of the foundation.
The fight against fungus begins with the elimination of the cause of their appearance. It is necessary to get rid of low-quality plumbing, replace leaking pipes, remove obstruction in ventilation and carry out other work that ensures the normal functioning of the home. Only after putting in order the infrastructure of a house or apartment should you think about how to process concrete from fungus and mold.
Types of antiseptics and their features
Before the advent of modern antiseptic materials, bleach was used to combat mold and fungus, but the excessive toxicity of this substance did not allow processing of the interior without damage to human health.
The modern chemical industry has learned to produce non-harmful solutions. In addition, these materials are more effective and allow you to further strengthen the surface on which it is applied. Antiseptic compositions for treating concrete surfaces are distinguished based on:
- Water soluble. These disinfectant solutions can be diluted with water. They have negligible toxicity, therefore, most often they are used to combat harmful microorganisms in the interior. Traditionally, for the processing of concrete, copper sulfate was used, which is almost odorless and not subject to burning. Copper sulfate is produced in the form of a bluish powder. To prepare the solution, you need to dilute the powder with water in a ratio of 1: 100. Processing is carried out 3-4 times. Sodium fluoride, which is used as an additive in stucco solutions, also works effectively;
- Oil. These materials can cause severe poisoning, so their use is only possible for the treatment of external structures. To oil impregnations include: creosote, phenol and carbolineum;
- Organic Relate to materials with increased toxicity, therefore they are prohibited for use in residential premises. Most often, these solutions are used as an additive in the preparation of concrete structures intended for use in aggressive environments;
- Combined. For the production of these impregnations, complex chemical compounds are used that effectively fight the manifestations of the fungus. They are usually supplied in concentrated form and are pre-diluted with water for surface treatment. Of the most common combined impregnations, the Ceresit solution is known, which deeply penetrates the concrete structure and reliably protects it from microorganisms.
Calculation of the consumption of antiseptics
To determine the amount of purchased antiseptic for walls from mold and fungus, it is necessary to calculate the surface area to be processed. Any package with a disinfectant has its own data on the consumption of material per square meter. Most often it is 6 kg per 10 m3 premises.
It remains only to compare the area that needs to be impregnated with the consumption rate. If technology requires applying an antiseptic against mold two or more times, make the appropriate amendments to the calculation.
To reduce consumption will allow high-quality surface cleaning and pre-applied primer, which has the quality of a disinfector.
How to apply an antiseptic
An antiseptic is not applied without preliminary cleaning of the surface from mold stains, therefore, the sequence of work begins with the preparation of the base.
As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that regular processing of concrete surfaces be carried out both inside and outside the room. Proactive disinfection will help avoid future problems. Recommended processing frequency:
- for wet rooms - upon detection of wet spots after drying the room;
- for internal, heated spaces - during construction and during each subsequent repair;
- for unheated, dry spaces - at least once every 10 years;
- external walls - at least once every 6 years;
- bases covered with hinged finishing panels - at least once every 20 years.
For surface treatment, solutions are used that have the necessary characteristics for a particular room and operating conditions.
Inside
To process the interior use a primer against mold and mildew on concrete based on water. Despite the low toxicity of such solutions, the master must take measures to protect the skin, respiratory tract and eyes, as well as provide for the possibility of effective ventilation.
The sequence of actions when processing surfaces in the interior:
- The affected areas are moisturized so that fungal spores do not scatter during stripping;
- Perform mechanical cleaning of the walls, floor and ceiling with sandpaper and a spatula, capturing a large area, going beyond the affected areas. If mold is found on the wallpaper, it is advisable to glue them by first removing the plaster;
- The prepared surface is impregnated with an antiseptic solution, after drying, the next layer is applied. Depending on the degree of damage, it is recommended to apply up to 5 layers of the solution;
- After a full treatment, a fine finish is possible.
This method allows you to display any colony of microorganisms, but it should be remembered that if the cause of the problem is not eliminated, mold will appear again.
Outside
Processing of concrete from mold and mildew on the street is carried out using the most powerful compounds with hydrophobic properties. Impregnation of surfaces with these antiseptics should be in a protective suit.
Be sure to use a respirator, wear gloves on your hands, protect your eyes with glasses.
First, mold spots are mechanically removed from the surface of the base, after which the maximum amount of antiseptic is applied, since it is impossible to completely get rid of spores that have eaten into concrete and must be suppressed with a solution. After complete drying of the first layer, which deeply penetrates the base structure, a second layer is applied.
Further finishing of the treated surface should be carried out with materials containing antiseptic additives, in which case the result will be guaranteed.
Popular manufacturers and prices
The following materials are the most used antiseptics:
- Ceresit. There are several versions of this brand, but ST-99 is best suited for concrete surfaces. The cost of this treatment is from 300 to 400 rubles per liter.
- Capatox. Belongs to antiseptics for concrete of deep penetration. It is delivered in canisters with a capacity of 5 liters at the price of 1200 rubles.
- Nortex. Antiseptic solution is supplied in cans of 20 liters at a price of 4,500 rubles.
- Gambit N-5. Special universal concentrate for disinfection of affected surfaces. It is divorced in water. It is delivered in 3 kg plastic buckets at a price of 900 rubles.