Causes and Prevention of Mold Formation

Dehumidifiers protect against mold formation

Both tenants and homeowners often have to deal with the issue of mold formation: mold fungi settle in corners, on walls, and ceilings, and in the worst case, lead to expensive and time-consuming renovation work. In addition to problems with the building structure, mold formation is also concerning for health: if mold spores enter the air we breathe, it can affect health. Typical symptoms include allergies, skin irritations, breathing difficulties, concentration problems, or chronic fatigue. Often, contact with mold spores also occurs indirectly. For example, if laundry is hung in a drying room that is infested with mold, the spores can get trapped in the hung bedding and clothes, from where they can then come into direct contact with people. Therefore, it makes sense for several reasons to prevent mold formation. But how does mold actually develop and how can it be controlled?

Cause of mold infestation

Mold develops in conditions of high humidity, such as that which occurs in the bathroom during daily showers or baths. Initial signs can be joints that turn black. Cooking or washing can also increase the humidity levels in the air, causing condensed water vapor to settle on the walls. This leads to mold growth in the long term. The temperature of the air and walls has a significant influence: for example, during a shower, the room air is pleasantly warm and can become saturated with moisture. When you leave the bathroom, the room air cools down and can no longer hold as much moisture as it could when warm. The excess water condenses and settles on cold windows and walls. The same can be observed in laundry rooms: while washing machines and dryers are operating, the room warms up and the air can absorb moisture. When the machines are turned off, the air cools down, and here too, there is an excess of moisture that the air can no longer hold. Condensation that cannot dissipate sufficiently is the result. With open basement doors, this humid air can also spread throughout the rest of the basement, so it is not uncommon for excessively high levels to be measured in a completely different room, leading to mold growth. Typically, this occurs first in cooler rooms or in rooms with cold walls.

Optimal humidity in the basement and apartment

The best solution against mold is to prevent it from forming in the first place. Therefore, efforts should be made to maintain optimal humidity levels and to keep the apartment or house below danger levels. Optimal means a humidity level between 40 and 60 percent. A practical aid is the classic cross-ventilation, but this is not always possible and its effectiveness has limits. Because outside air also has a significant influence on indoor humidity. If the outside air is warm and humid like in summer, it is already so saturated with water that it cannot absorb any additional moisture in the cooler house/basement or even has the opposite effect: it increases the moisture in the house instead of reducing it. It is not uncommon for us to speak with customers who had opened the tilt window in the basement during the summer holidays and upon returning from their well-deserved vacation find moisture and musty odors in the basement, often already accompanied by mold growth on leather shoes and paper goods. For easier control of humidity, the use of a dehumidifier is recommended, which activates whenever the indoor humidity rises above the desired level.

The right model for your own home

"It doesn't always have to be a Ferrari. More affordable models, such as the "Dryfix Royal20" from our range, can also sufficiently and reliably protect a cellar up to 50m2 from excessive cellar moisture. Additionally, devices in this category also significantly support laundry drying."