Everyone has seen the black spots on the ceiling or walls, near the windows or on the joints of the bathtub. It’s obvious mold. However, there is also hidden mold that is found where you least expect it and that is a health risk.

Typical hiding places are the spaces between furniture and walls, behind panels, coverings and wallpapers, or under floor coverings such as carpets and laminates. Mold can often be found even under pavement and on insulating materials.

IS MOLD REALLY A DANGER?

If you think invisible mold isn’t a health problem just because you can’t see it, you’re wrong.

Like visible mold, mycotoxins, that is, toxic mold sporesprovoke harmful health effectssuch as respiratory irritation, cough, headaches, skin rashes and allergic reactions, especially in people with previous illnesses, the elderly and children.

WHY DOES MOLD OCCUR?

Regardless of whether it is visible or invisible, the cause of mold formation is always the same: eIn the air there are always spores floating and when they are deposited on walls, ceilings and floors They multiply if they find the right conditions of temperature and humidity.

Water is the key catalyst for mold growth, especially that which is produced by condensation when hot air, with a relative humidity greater than 70%, comes into contact with a cold surface. A damp wall for this reason is an ideal breeding ground for fungi. This phenomenon is common, for example, when it rains if it is not well ventilated.

Other causes for mold to develop are surfaces that are damp from leaks from the roof or underground, or leaking water pipes.

HOW CAN YOU DISCOVER INVISIBLE MOLD?

Since surfaces do not stain, the first sign that mold is there is characteristic musty smell.

If the people living in the house suffer allergy symptoms or discomfort whose origin is unknown, it is a good idea to do a good check for invisible mold.

If you suspect invisible mold, you should not pick at the wall at any time. In such a case, a specialized company It can measure gases or the concentration of spores in the air that reveal the presence of mold. This test can cost between 300 and 1,000 euros.

HOW TO BEAT MOLD

If the suspicion that there is invisible mold in your home is confirmed, professional removal by a specialized company is almost always essential. Specialists work with professional masks and use procedures such as fogging with disinfectants to effectively kill fungi.

Only when the mold infestation is limited to a manageable area (less than one square meter) you can delete it yourself.

• Put on rubber gloves, mask (FFP2) and glasses, since mold can release spores that can irritate the skin, lungs and eyes.
• Keep the area ventilated while you work. Close the doors that connect to other rooms.
• Spray the area with vinegar cleaning and let it act for an hour.
• Scrub with a brush or cloth.
• Then clean with 3% hydrogen peroxide.
• Start a fan and, if necessary, a dehumidifier, to ensure good drying.
• Remove any porous material that has been affected, such as carpets, curtains, or drywall

Measures to prevent it from reappearing

Apart from acting directly against mold, take preventive measures so that it does not reappear:

• Make sure the exterior walls are well isolated.
• Especially during the cold months, ventilate the rooms two or three times a day and for at least five minutes.
• Ventilate after shower and after cooking to expel moisture to the outside. Dry the shower screens and the joints around the tray or bathtub.
• Don’t let the temperature of your house lower than 18 ºC, even in rooms you don’t use.
• Periodically check the indoor humidity with a hygrometer. Healthy ambient humidity is located between 40% and 60%.