Drying mould. Step-by-step remediation with a system.
Mould remediation
Effectively tackling the causes of fungi infestation
Moulds are a natural part of our environment. They are microorganisms that have always performed important tasks in the biological cycle of matter. They eliminate organic residues and assist in humus formation and mineralization.
When can mould cause illness?
In principle, mould poses little or no danger. However, mould spores and metabolic products are allergen carriers that spread through indoor air. If they get into the human respiratory tract, they can trigger allergic reactions such as skin diseases, conjunctivitis, respiratory diseases or headaches in endangered groups of people and cause serious health damage. Under certain conditions, a few types of mould form so-called mycotoxins - toxins that are dangerous to humans.
Mould infestation indoors taboo
Mould in the cellar is a growing problem that must be taken seriously, because mould is almost always associated with building defects, for ex. penetrating moisture and incorrect usage, such as inadequate ventilation. Mould decomposes organic building materials microbially, impedes drying out and disturbs thermal conductivity. As a result, valuable living and utility space is lost and the value of the property decreases drastically. Mould growth must therefore be treated early and, above all, completely.
Moisture – lifeline for mould
If dampness caused by structural defects is the cause of mould infestation, it must be eliminated systematically and sustainably. The most common types of dampness and their causes are:
- condensation moisture: insufficient thermal insulation
- sorption moisture: e.g. wall salts
- capillary damp: e.g. rising damp, lack of horizontal barrier
- moisture penetrating from the outside: e.g. inadequate waterproofing, inadequate protection against driving rain
The combination of moisture with building materials such as wallpaper, emulsion paints, plasterboard or other organic building materials promotes mould growth. With sufficient warmth, these materials form the ideal breeding ground for fungi. Professional remediation by a specialist company is necessary, in particular in the case of larger infestations.
Mould diagnosis by a specialist
As soon as there are suspicions of hidden moisture damage and mould contamination, a specialist should be consulted. If mould infestation is detected, it is imperative that the cause is first clarified before professional remediation measures can be started.
Determine the size of the infestation
During the initial inspection, the size of the infestation should first be determined. Infestation size A is defined as damage with a surface area of < 0.5 m². If the extent of damage exceeds this value and there is a large, extensive spread, this is called infestation size B. In this case, deeper layers may also be affected. In this case, deeper layers can also be affected.
Health protection has priority
Mould abatement measures usually release an increased concentration of spores. Therefore, carrying personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory to protect the processor from contact with mould. This also applies if initially only an assessment of the infestation size is made. Further details can be found in the Weber handling guideline for mould control.
Bridging measures
If a case of infestation of < 0.5 m² cannot be controlled immediately, temporary measures are necessary; infestation areas on mineral substrates including joints and closed-pored substrates such as tiles or wood should be covered with foil and the infested inventory covered. In case of infestation size > 0,5 m², it is mandatory to seal off the infested areas by setting up a black/white area.
Correct assessment of spore loads
Depending on the duration of the work and the expected level of spore contamination, a distinction is made between the three hazard classes. As a general rule, there is no particular risk if the spore load is low. The higher the expected spore load and the duration of the activity, the higher the hazard class.
Destroy fungi spores naturally
Minor mould infestations up to about 0.5 m2, caused by low air exchange, overcrowded rooms and increased moisture in the bathroom, can be easily eliminated. To do this, first spray the entire surface of the infested surfaces with weber.san Schimmel Ex. The mould remover is suitable for several substrates, such as plaster, silicone joint sealant, wood, masonry or tiles. After sufficient exposure time, the infestation can be removed. If necessary, mineral surfaces should then be treated with an alkaline plaster, for ex. damp-proof plaster weber.san, textured lime plaster weber.cal or a mould-inhibiting silicate paint.
Creating healthy indoor air
The air in a room infested with mould has significantly higher levels of mould spores, especially after remediation. By fogging the room with the spore destroyer weber.san Sporenclean, the spores remaining in the room air are also completely destroyed using the same active principle and within two hours.
Harmless for humans and animals
Both mould remover and spore killer are based on an effective active ingredient solution stabilized with natural fruit acids, which are also used in the food industry as preservatives
As they do not contain any active substances that are harmful to the environment or health, weber.san products are not considered hazardous goods or dangerous substances. They are environment-friendly, user-friendly, skin-friendly and easily biodegradable. The active ingredient penetrates the core of the mould cells and destroys them within one hour. At the same time, they prevent rapid re-growth.
Easy handling even for big projects
Due to their economical dosage and short working time, weber.san Schimmel Ex and weber.san Sporenclean are versatile. Even sensitive living areas can be walked on and lived in again immediately after treatment. The materials and the building structure are not damaged in the process. In order to prevent a renewed mould infestation, the affected areas must always be professionally renovated after treatment.
Waterproofing remediation
Application in case of defective or missing waterproofing
If moisture penetrates into masonry and cellars due to construction defects, it forms the basic prerequisite for mould there. However, the damaged building parts can be repaired with the help of systematic moisture remediation. A successful restoration requires knowledge of the existing damage and a thorough examination of the soil conditions.
Waterproofing solutions for every load case
If the structural conditions allow it, a waterproofing renovation should be carried out. This prevents the mould from always being supplied with new water. Whether soil moisture, seepage water or pressing water – Weber has the right waterproofing system for every load case. The range includes coordinated system products for the subsequent waterproofing of the exterior basement wall. The system is also suitable for use on old bitumen coatings.
Removing water from the masonry
Rising damp caused by missing or damaged horizontal waterproofing is often the reason for excessive dampness in the masonry. Professional masonry restoration systematically rebuilds the damaged building fabric. A horizontal barrier made of silicone micro-emulsion concentrate stops the capillary water transport. This measure is supplemented by the moisture-regulating, mould-inhibiting damp-proof renders/plasters weber.san. These alkaline, diffusion-open products have a high porosity and an excellent salt storage volume. Existing moisture can escape unhindered, mould is deprived of its breeding ground and prevented from spreading. These materials are also compliant with the corresponding guidelines of WTA (International Association for Science and Technology of Building Maintenance and Monuments Preservation).
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