Mildew on the window usually shows through damp areas and
black spores , which settle on the window frame, the window sill and the wall
around the windows. A high humidity and a false ventilation are the trigger.
Forms mold at the window, it should be removed as soon as possible, to prevent
damage to health.
HOW DOES MOLD DEVELOP AT THE WINDOW?
Spores of molds are in the air and always looking for an
area where they can multiply. They need moist surfaces to settle. These are
often found on the windows. Not only the window frames are affected. Also
joints and rubber seals are prone to mold. In order to understand how the mold
spreads, it helps to have an overview of the conditions that are optimal for
the mold:
• High
humidity : If the humidity is permanently over 65% , the mold can spread very
well.
• Basis :
Mold likes to settle on silicone joints , wallpaper and rubber seals. Even
foods provide an optimal basis for development.
• Temperatures
: Depending on the type of mold spores that can be found in the home, they need
a certain temperature range. This is usually below 15 ° C.
A big problem with the formation of mold on the window is
the condensation. The formation of condensation is normal. The room has warm
air. This stores the moisture. If the moisture finds cold surfaces, it settles
to it. The cold surfaces are mostly window glasses. Especially in the winter
time, condensation is created quickly, as there are high temperature differences
in the indoor and outdoor areas. The condensation runs into the joints and
seals. The basis for mold growth is created.
Note : New buildings are significantly more affected by
condensation than old buildings. The reason is the excellent insulation used
here. Therefore, they often have mold on the window.
MOLD REMOVAL MATERIALS ON THE WINDOW
To remove mold from the window, you should work with the
right materials. For a long time, the recommendation was to resort to chlorine
cleaners. These actually ensure a very good mold removal. However, they leave
an unpleasant smell in the air and can also damage the windows. It is better to
use one of the alternatives as a mold remover:
1. Alcohol
The most effective remover for mildew is alcohol. For
example, 80% alcohol can be bought at the pharmacy. During cleaning, however,
vapors form. Therefore it should be ventilated as thoroughly as possible.
Ideally, the mold is removed with the window open, if the affected areas can
still be reached. Both plastic and wooden windows can be cleared of mold with
alcohol. Important : The use of alcohol increases the risk of fire. Therefore,
the use of candles, cigarettes or other sources of fire in the room must be
avoided.
2. Mold
Cleaner Special mold cleaners are on sale. These are
chemical mixtures. Who wants to use this remover who should pay attention to
whether they are suitable for the substrates. Especially wooden windows are
very sensitive to chemicals. Here is a special cleaner necessary.
3. Vinegar
vinegar also works well against the mold, but also releases vapors that can
cause irritation of the respiratory tract. If this remedy is used as a remover,
it should be well ventilated.
4. Cleaner
with acid
Especially common is the use of lemon cleaner against mold.
However, it should be noted that this should only be used if it is not mineral
substrates. Superficial mold on the window can be removed with lemon cleaner.
If the mold on the window is still in the initial phase, you
can also work with water. Surfaces, such as plastic, can be freed from the
spores. However, water should not be used if the substrate is wood. The
increased moisture on the wood increases the risk of mold formation.
Tip : In the trade there is mold spray. This can be spread
very well. Again and again it is recommended to put the alcohol in a spray
bottle and distribute it in the affected areas. However, this is not
recommended, as it vaporizes faster and increases the risk of fire even more.
STEP BY STEP REMOVING THE MOLD FROM THE WINDOW: THE PREPARATION
Before it goes to the distance, a lot of preparatory work
should be done. Mold on the window is usually found in the corners. In
addition, it is difficult to remove it with the window open, because then you
can not reach the affected areas. One possibility is to provide for draft. For
that, the front doors are opened. By blowing air in another room so train
arises in the apartment. As a result, the vapors do not spread in the other
rooms. Further steps for the preparation are:
• Close the
door and avoid vapors entering the other rooms.
• If
possible, open the window.
• Clean
frame with water if it is plastic.
• Wear
protective clothing ! At the hardware store there are overalls that are
suitable for single use. Gloves and mouthguards are also useful.
• Nearby
furniture is covered.
• The mold
removal should not be carried out under time pressure. If you take your time,
fewer spores are whirled up.
• Remove
objects near the windows.
• Prepare
several towels , which can then be removed.
• Children
should not be in the room.
• After the
removal of the white horse should be showered or bathed , in order to avoid a
transmission of the spores.
The distance is relatively easy if only smooth surfaces are
affected. However, if the mold has settled in the joints and seals, they must
be replaced. In the optimal case, this is done by an expert. Since this entails
high costs, most affected people carry out the exchange themselves.
REPLACE SILICONE JOINTS AND WINDOW SEALS IN CASE OF MOLD ON THE WINDOW
If you want to be active yourself, you can also replace the
silicone joints. For this, a cutter knife isneeded, with which the old silicone
is replaced. The knife should then be disinfected to prevent the transmission
of mold spores. Subsequently, a new silicone joint is used. As long as the
silicone is still wet, it is then pulled smooth with a puller. The puller
should be made of plastic. Before putting in new joints, it is recommended to
clean the area with alcohol. This kills the spores.
If the window seals are affected, they can be replaced. With
mold on the window, this is even recommended, so that the spores do not spread
further and go over to the walls. The seals must be bought accurately. This is
best done with a piece of the old seal in the hardware store. Here you can get
advice for the purchase of new seals. So that the window is permanently sealed
after the change, the new seals should be slightly stronger than the old seals.
The reason for this is that the old seals are shrinking over time.
WALLPAPER AFFECTED: THAT IS TO BE DONE
Mold on the window can not only affect the window itself.
Partially he goes on to the wallpaper. If the wallpaper is affected, then it
should be replaced. Here the spurs go down quickly. Even if the mold on the
window is superficially removed from the wallpaper, so he can come back after a
short time. It is better to loosen the wallpaper, to clean the wall and to
apply a paint against mold before repainting. Of course, those affected can get
a consultation with an expert first. This is offered, for example, by experts
in the vicinity who can be found in the directory of the IHK:
Nationwide list of experts of the IHK
Deutscher Industrie- und Handelskammertag eV
Breite Straße 29
10178 Berlin
Tel : +49 30 20308 0
Mail : sw@dihk.de
Web : https://svv.ihk.de/content/home/home.ihk
TEST MOLD ON THE WINDOW WITH THE MOLD TEST
There are different types of mold that can form in living
spaces. Particularly harmful to health is the black mold. However, this is not
always the case, even if there are dark spurs on the window. In order to find
out which mold is in your own living space, a mold test can be performed. There
are now sets for the implementation at home. It is better, however, to have a
mold fungus analysis carried out. There are several contact points where a
request can be made. This includes:
Schimmelpilz-
Fachzentrum Reblu GmbH
Raiffeisenstr. 32
70794 Filderstadt
Tel : +49 711 219 536 90
Mail : info@reblu.de
Web : https://www.schimmelpilz-fachzentrum.de/
Center for Mycology Cologne GmbH
Classen-Kappelman-Str. 24
50931 Cologne
Tel : +49 221 940 505 505
Mail : zfmk@wisplinghoff.de
Web : http://www.mykologie-koeln.de/
The mentioned contact points offer a sampling as well as an
analysis and evaluation of the spores. This will create an opinion. Especially
when affected persons are in contact with the landlord, for example, with
regard to the mold on the window, an expert's report can be particularly
interesting for the further course and the fight against it. In addition, a
support from the provider for the removal of the mold is offered.
AVOIDING MOLD ON THE WINDOW: THESE POINTS CAN BE HELPFUL
In order to avoid the formation of mold on the window , it
is important to remove condensation. If drops appear on the window or on the
window frame, they should be picked up with a dry cloth. For heavily sweaty
windows, it makes sense to place a towel on the window frame and change it
daily. It is also helpful to do without tipped windows. For effective
ventilation of living spaces, the ventilation should be repeated several times
a day. How the correct ventilation works is shown for example by the Federal
Environmental Agency :
https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/.../richtig-lueften-schimmelbildung-vermeiden
Also with further questions around the topic "mold"
affected persons can turn to the Federal Environment Agency:
Federal Environmental Agency Headquarters
Wörlitzer Platz 1
06844 Dessau-Roßlau
Tel : +49 340 2103 2416
Mail : buergerservice@uba.de
In addition, a high humidity in the rooms is provided when
the laundry is dried in the room. If there is a possibility, the laundry should
always be dried outside, for example on the balcony or in the garden.