How to remove damp from walls so it never comes back
Surely, the humidity and mold on the walls of the house will have affected us at some point in our lives, but we can think that it is not so serious that it invades a certain environment of our home. But far from thinking like that, each case is different and must be evaluated with the help of a professional.
Keep in mind that most houses are built with a foundation structure that is in direct contact with the ground, so moisture is always present. It happens that over time, masonry walls absorb moisture that rises through the walls, forming mold.
Generally, when we observe the problem in the walls, we act immediately with cleaning and painting to leave it as good as new. However, the reality is that over the months and years, the humidity returns, ruining the environments of the house.
1- Talc to remove moisture
Without a doubt, talcum powder is a faithful ally when it comes to combating humidity. Think how a little talcum powder removes moisture from your slippers or shoes, because in the same way it can help fight mold on the walls.
You simply have to sprinkle the talcum powder on the wall and then rub it with a cloth so that it penetrates. Repeat the process several times to make it more effective until all traces of moisture are removed.
2- Remove mold with bleach
In this case, the solution is palliative, because with this method the mold will be completely eliminated, but the humidity will continue inside the walls.
We mix one part bleach to one part water, then add it to a spray bottle, also making sure to wear rubber gloves, goggles, and a mask. Finally, we take a brush, spray and rub vigorously.
We must be patient because it will take time, you have to do it a little every day or week, because the smell is very strong and can even cause dizziness. Another measure that we must take is to do this without other people around, and in a very ventilated environment.
An important recommendation, if we use chlorine bleach on colored walls, it will fade. Therefore, it is a tip especially for white walls and surfaces.
3- Remove mold with hydrogen peroxide
Another alternative that can help remove mildew is hydrogen peroxide, but it’s best used on smaller stains, as it requires a bit more work.
Simply soak a cloth in hydrogen peroxide, apply it to the mold to be moistened and leave it to act for 15 minutes. Then we rub well until it comes out.
This product also requires that you wear gloves and a protective mask, and be careful to ventilate the environment.
Do not allow children access to the room during the procedure.
4- Remove mold with water, vinegar and alcohol
For a more homemade mix that wo n’t discolor the wall, there’s an easier method.
You can mix warm water with 1 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of rubbing alcohol. Together and well mixed they will soften the mildew removing the stain.
5- Eliminates moisture by correcting the structure
If you want to get rid of mold and mildew in your home for good, you’ll need to look at other solutions. For this, it is essential to have the advice of a professional, who will evaluate the structure of the house and help us determine the best solution.
Once the cause is determined, the solution will come, generally it consists of removing the current cast and redoing it. In this case, a waterproofing liquid will be used in the new plaster mixture.
In some cases, if the problem comes from below, it may be necessary to break the first m of wall and redo that part with the addition of a waterproofing mat.
There is no reason to break the entire wall, just the bottom and little by little. When this part is protected, the upper part will no longer absorb the moisture that comes from the ground.
Other methods:
Sea salt is very good at combating humidity, since it has a function quite similar to baking soda. In addition, it is very easy to use, you are going to place containers with sea salt or sea salt on the foot or shelves of the walls and that’s it, it will begin to absorb all the humidity little by little.
Baking soda can also be used in the same way as sea salt, simply by placing some containers near the damp area on the walls and you will see results in no time.
Tea tree oil is also a great trick to get rid of damp walls. For this, simply mix 2 tablespoons of this oil with 2 cups, integrating well, and then apply to wet areas.