One of the world’s most resilient and popular building materials is concrete. Concrete is subject to the forces of nature despite its strength and resilience. One of the important, though lesser-known, problems it faces is fungal growth. Over time, this unwelcome intruder may weaken the structural integrity of concrete surfaces and damage their aesthetic appeal.
On concrete surfaces, fungus usually manifests as discoloration or dark, wet patches. It usually forms in areas that are shaded and have poor ventilation because it thrives in environments that contain both moisture and organic matter. The wind, adjacent vegetation, or even foot traffic can all be sources of the spores. They can spread and take hold quickly once they locate a suitable habitat on concrete.
It takes a combination of cleaning, preventive steps, and occasionally more specialized treatments to deal with fungus on concrete. Maintaining your property regularly and taking quick action when there are moisture problems will help keep these fungi at bay. For individuals who are currently dealing with this issue, there are efficient cleaning methods and solutions to get rid of the fungus and bring back the beauty of the concrete.
Understanding where fungus on concrete comes from and knowing how to address it can help prolong the life and look of your concrete surfaces. Whether it"s your driveway, patio, or any other concrete structure, taking the right steps can ensure it remains fungus-free and in good condition.
- Fungus as it is
- Why get rid of fungus?
- Causes of occurrence
- Elimination measures
- Prevention measures
- Personal protection
- Disinfectants
- Traditional methods
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Fungus as it is
To choose the best course of action and appreciate its necessity, you must first comprehend the nature of these pests.
3 kinds of fungi are distinguished by builders:
- blue stain;
- rot;
- mold.
While the last type of fungus safely grows on artificial, even painted, stone, the first two types actively reproduce on wood.
Note: The spread of fungal infections can be effectively inhibited by using modern construction chemicals. However, treating "sick" concrete is less profitable both practically and economically when preventive treatment measures are implemented.
Why get rid of fungus?
Not only does mold detract from the interior’s aesthetic appeal, but living in a neighborhood like this poses serious health risks to people. The fungus deteriorates the strength characteristics of concrete and gradually destroys its structure, even if you do not live there permanently and are not in any serious danger.
Take note: There is not much time to fix mold on painted plaster, so don’t sit back and take it easy. The mold will penetrate the plaster layer and start to affect the concrete about a year later.
The mold itself is not harmful to humans; rather, the highly toxic fungal spores are.
They enter the body in a few different ways:
- through the pores of the skin;
- through the respiratory system;
- by entering the circulatory system.
Spores that enter the body have the potential to:
- allergic reactions in the respiratory tract (runny nose, swelling, cough);
- bronchopneumonia or asthma;
- eating disorder;
- migraine headaches;
- rheumatic pain in the joints.
The populations most at risk from concrete mold are those whose immune systems are compromised for various reasons:
It’s clear that the battle against mold on concrete is a critical and urgent issue. However, it is also much simpler to stop the mold risk from developing in the first place.
Causes of occurrence
Let’s investigate the factors that lead to the appearance of fungal spores on concrete surfaces so that we can take action to stop them from growing. For residential properties, the typical humidity range is thought to be between 70 and 80%.
It’s critical to accurately identify the source of the mold for optimal prevention and success with anti-mold measures. As was already mentioned, high humidity and inadequate, weak, or clogged ventilation are the main offenders. The methods of control in this instance are very clear.
The table below lists a few more typical causes and suggests actions to get rid of them:
Cause | Probable places of mold appearance | Remedy |
Low level of thermal insulation of the corners of the building | End walls and internal corners | Additional measures to improve thermal insulation |
Shift of the dew point deeper into the wall as a result of improper installation of external thermal insulation or curtain wall system | Symmetrically in places where technical external errors were made indoors | Check the adhesion of the plaster, dismantle the insulation, change the design of the ventilated façade. |
High groundwater level | Near the joints of walls and floors of the first floor or basement | Inspection and repair of horizontal foundation insulation. Possible installation of a ring drainage system |
Sewage faults | Along intra-wall pipe communications | Leak area repair |
Faulty roof drainage system | Most often, dampness is noticeable from the outside of the building | Repair of the system – otherwise, especially in winter, serious problems may arise inside the wet walls |
Crucial! In any case, the concrete needs to dry out before attempting to remove the cause, regardless of what caused the mold to appear.
Elimination measures
It is imperative to differentiate between efforts aimed at eradicating the fungus’s source and actions taken to eradicate the mold directly. Once the affected area has been identified, you should start by removing the formation’s source before attempting to repair the damage.
There are various steps involved in removing mold from concrete:
- The affected area is abundantly moistened with water. This should be done in order to avoid the spores from flying away during further actions.
- Applying construction chemicals to a wall or corner. An antifungal agent for concrete is applied to an area exceeding the radius of the infection spot by 1 m.
- After the first layer of chemical treatment dries, the procedure should be repeated. If necessary (look at the product packaging), the procedure is repeated three times, each time waiting for the previous layer to dry completely.
- Use a wire brush or putty knife to remove mold from the wall. All layers of decorative treatment are removed, including plaster. Experts also recommend milling the top layer of concrete.
- After mold is destroyed, a deep penetration antibacterial impregnation with a long period of effectiveness should be applied to the surface.
You can watch the video in this article to find out more about the specifics of cleaning mold off a concrete wall by hand.
Crucial! If prompt action was not taken, the fungus spreads and forms a mycelium that deeply penetrates the wall material. If the core is left in place, surface-level solutions won’t work as planned.
Prevention measures
Wet areas of the wall can be treated without waiting for a color painting to appear on the concrete.
Recommendations for preventing mold growth on concrete walls include routinely applying a disinfectant to high-risk areas:
Type of premises | Frequency |
Damp | At the first signs of wet walls |
Dry heated | One-time during repairs (construction) |
Unheated dry | Once every 10-15 years |
Facade | Once every 6-8 years |
Walls under a curtain wall system | Once every 25-30 years |
Reminder: At the mixing stage, antiseptic additives can be added to concrete. Antiseptic is used at a rate of 6 kg per 10 m3 of solution on average.
Personal protection
As you work with mold-destroying chemicals, you should strictly follow personal protective equipment guidelines. Furthermore, it’s important to keep in mind that in this instance, both the mold and the treatment product may be harmful to your health.
Crucial! If there is fungus on any of the finish components that have been removed from the impacted area, they should be taken out of the room and, if feasible, burned.
The following guidelines ought to be followed when handling active chemicals:
- All activities are carried out in gloves, safety glasses, a respirator and clothing that completely covers the body, including the head.
- During the cleaning and processing procedures, the room must be well ventilated.
- The room can be used no earlier than two days after the last processing procedure. The manufacturer may set a longer period, read the instructions on the label.
Disinfectants
Regarding antiseptics for concrete, it should be mentioned that a vast array of products on different bases are available in the contemporary construction market.
Traditionally, we would categorize all antiseptics into three groups:
Traditional methods
If the building needs to be disinfected right away and you are unable to get specialized construction chemicals, you can try these time-tested, traditional remedies:
- Bleach will help get rid of fungus and mold spores of any kind. The active substance in the composition is sodium hypochlorite. Used in a solution with water in proportions of 1 to 10. Toxic, changes the color of the decorative coating.
- Baking soda is able to destroy mold and is quite harmless to humans. To prepare the composition, take 1 teaspoon of soda per 200 ml of water. Spray the affected area with a spray bottle or apply the composition with a sponge. It is recommended not to wash off the soda, this procedure will protect against the re-formation of mold.
- Hydrogen peroxide is a medical antiseptic, sold in pharmacies, safe for health, odorless. Capable of removing fungus from the surface, but has the same drawback as whiteness, albeit to a lesser extent. Peroxide will discolor the decorative coating.
- Mix borax with water. Mix 250 mg of mineral powder per 4 liters of boiling water. After the borax has dissolved, pour the mixture into a spray bottle and treat the affected areas with the composition. After a short time, brush off the mold, do not rinse the solution.
It is also possible to apply an ammonia or vinegar solution to the afflicted areas. However, only specific chemicals will offer the best dependability and protection.
Numerous methods have been passed down through folk wisdom to remove fungus from walls, but the most successful method is a specific impregnation.
Cause of Fungus | Solution |
Moisture | Improve drainage around concrete |
Lack of sunlight | Ensure adequate sunlight exposure |
Poor ventilation | Increase airflow around the area |
Organic debris | Regularly clean the surface |
Cracks in concrete | Seal cracks to prevent moisture ingress |
More than just an eyesore, fungus on concrete is an indication of underlying moisture problems that require attention. Because fungi prefer moist, shaded conditions, concrete buildings with inadequate ventilation or drainage are prime targets. This growth has the potential to eventually cause more serious structural issues in addition to harming the concrete’s visual appeal.
Preventing fungus growth in your concrete and performing routine maintenance are essential. The risk of fungal growth can be decreased by making sure that your concrete structures have adequate drainage surrounding them, patching cracks as soon as possible, and keeping enclosed areas well-ventilated. Spores can also be kept from taking hold by applying fungicidal treatments and cleaning on a regular basis.
It’s crucial to take immediate action if fungus has already started growing on your concrete. Start by using a commercial fungicide or a solution of water and bleach to clean the afflicted area. After giving the area a thorough scrub to get rid of any visible growth, rinse and let it air dry. If the infestation is more widespread, you may need to get professional assistance to make sure the fungus is completely removed and any underlying moisture problems are fixed.
You can maintain the best possible condition for your concrete structures by knowing the causes of fungus on concrete and how to treat it. It’s critical to conduct routine inspections and address moisture issues quickly. Your concrete will stay strong, long-lasting, and fungal-free for many years to come with proper maintenance.
The prevalent issue of fungus on concrete arises from the combination of organic materials and moisture, which provides the perfect conditions for the growth of fungi. This can happen in places where water collects and is damp and shaded, like basements, walkways, and outdoor buildings. It’s critical to apply fungicidal treatments, maintain dry and clean concrete surfaces, and make sure ventilation and drainage are adequate in order to address this problem. The integrity of your concrete structures can be preserved and extensive damage can be avoided with routine maintenance and quick action at the first sign of growth.