How to clean the mold in the bathroom on the sealant: Remover against mold

Silicone sealant is indispensable when installing new sanitary equipment in the bathroom, as well as for various types of repair work. Sealing agent based on silicone perfectly protects the surface from moisture, thanks to its special composition. The sealant forms a strong and at the same time elastic coating, resistant to temperature changes and the influence of aggressive detergents. There are also special sanitary silicone sealants, which contain fungicidal additives that prevent the appearance of mold and fungus - these troubles quite often occur in conditions of high humidity. For use in the bathroom it is recommended to purchase this type of sealant.

If it has happened that a black mold has arisen on the surface treated with a sealing compound, it is necessary to immediately start fighting with it. About what measures should be taken, read in our today's article.

The main reason for the appearance of mold on all types of surfaces is excessively humid indoor air. Additional factors contributing to the active growth of molds may be the lack of a good ventilation system, insufficiently insulated walls, poor sealing of joints between panels.

If the mold appeared on a surface that has been treated with a silicone sealant containing fungicides, then the reason is likely to be the low quality of the product. If you have used a sealing agent from a trusted manufacturer, as you are sure, then you should look for other reasons. For example, mold could appear as a result of unscrupulous work to seal the seam or because of the presence of cracks and chips in the structure of the working surface.

Mold is an amazing organism that can bring good to a person and cause harm. The kind of mold that settles on the surfaces in our house is of the latter type. Therefore, if you find the first signs of the spread of mold and vein or in a non-residential environment, dispose of it as soon as possible.

It is known that mold is spread by spores - microscopic particles that can freely scatter around the house, populating new and new areas. Even if you managed to get rid of the main source of mold, spores that have spread around the apartment, can cause the growth of new foci.

Harm, which causes mold to the human body, becomes noticeable not immediately. Disputes that we breathe in together with air can provoke quite serious diseases of the respiratory tract, nasopharynx, digestive system and other vital organs. Allergy sufferers and people with weakened immunity are at increased risk.

The way to combat mold that has appeared on silicone sealants depends on the extent of the problem and how long it has appeared. A small area of ​​"fresh" mold can simply be washed off, and then treated with an antiseptic. If you have time to take action quickly, then, most likely, the mold will not return. Otherwise, we will have to resort to a more radical method.

How to properly clean the mold from silicone sealant?

• Put warm water in a small container and fill( fill) with any cleaning agent for the bathroom. Stir the solution well.
• Dampen the sponge in the resulting mixture wipe the problem area. Rinse the mold thoroughly.
• Clean the cleaner with plenty of clean water.
• Now the surface, affected by mold, should be disinfected, so that the remaining disputes do not go into growth. To do this, any disinfectant that you have at home, for example, bleach, is suitable.
• Apply bleach to silicone sealant. For best effect, leave it for 12-14 minutes. After that, the sealant is not only disinfected, but it will also shine with whiteness.
• Before washing off the disinfectant, rub it gently with a sponge or brush to penetrate the microcracks and destroy all mildew spores there.
• Then rinse off the bleach and wipe the silicone sealant dry.

It happens that after some time after removal the mold appears on the same place again, and even careful handling of the problem place with effective means does not help. In this case, the focus of propagation should be sought not under the surface of the silicone sealant. If this is the case, then to get to the hearth, the sealer layer will have to be removed.

• Remove the old silicone sealant only mechanically. Therefore, arm yourself with a small knife and start cutting off the silicone sealant on the top and bottom edge of the seam.
• After making the cuts, pick up the silicone layer from one end and pull the frozen sealant out of the seam. The old silicone sealant should be discarded immediately, as mold has a strong mold in its structure.
• Inside the seam, you are most likely to find mold, small debris and other muck. All this must be carefully cleaned with the same knife.
• Now the cleaned area needs to be disinfected to ensure that the mold does not appear again. One of the most effective means is isopropyl alcohol. Pour it into the seam and leave for 20-30 minutes.
• After this, wipe the seam with a dry cloth and leave for a day until completely dry. All this time the bathroom can not be used.
• Dry the surface again with a silicone sealant. Try to choose a quality sanitary sealant for the bathroom, containing additives that prevent the appearance of mold.
• Insert the tube with the sealant into a special gun, cut the spout at the appropriate angle and distribute the product evenly throughout the seam.
• In order to completely dry the silicone, it is necessary to wait another day.

In the fight against mold, you can use folk recipes, many of which are much more effective than expensive store tools. Some of the many ways that housewives use to eliminate mold in the bathroom are presented below.

Tetraborate sodium( popularly called "borax") is dissolved in water in a ratio of 1 cup of the drug to 2½ liters of water. Dampen the old toothbrush in this solution and thoroughly wipe the affected area with mold. Then collect the remaining solution with a clean dry cloth. It is not necessary to wash off the solution, since it forms a protective layer against mold.

White table vinegar is effective, and, most importantly, an affordable remedy for mold in the bathroom. The places covered with mold should be drizzled with undiluted vinegar through an atomizer, and after 60 minutes washed off with a sponge soaked in water. If necessary, repeat the procedure the next day. Vinegar has a pungent odor and its vapors can adversely affect your health, so do not forget to ventilate the bathroom every time after this procedure.

For sure there is hydrogen peroxide in your medicine cabinet. This drug is indispensable not only for the treatment of wounds, but also for the sterilization of affected areas. Hydropyte tablets should be diluted in water according to the instructions, and the finished solution applied undiluted. Work better with gloves, as with prolonged contact, hydrogen peroxide can damage the skin of the hands. To wash off a solution it is not necessary, in some minutes simply blot the processed surface a dry sponge or a rag.

Ordinary baking soda is also doing a very good job of eliminating mold. It is absolutely safe for a person, it's worth a penny and there's everyone in the house. To prepare a cleanser, you need to stir a quarter of a teaspoon of soda in 250 ml of warm water. The resulting solution is rubbed into the mold area with a hard brush, then rinsed. Secure the effect by repeating the operation again.

Essential oils are also quite effective in fighting mold. Oil of tea tree, known not only for its pleasant aroma, but also for good antiseptic properties, is especially effective. One teaspoon of essential oil should be diluted in a glass of warm water and treated with a solution to the problem area. To wash out means it is not necessary. After applying the solution, an intense smell of tea tree essential oil will remain for a while, but after a couple of days it will fade.

After mold removal from silicone sealant, all precautions should be taken so that it does not appear again. The complex of preventive procedures includes:

• Ventilation system equipment. At the same time, remember that even the most powerful ventilation system can not cope with the task, if you do not provide a constant flow of air to the bathroom( for example, through the gap in the door).
• Sealing of sanitary equipment in the bathroom. It is necessary to eliminate all sources of high humidity, including a dripping faucet and condensate on the toilet bowl.
• Wall insulation. If any of the walls of the room freezes in winter, it is necessary to provide it with additional waterproofing.
• Elimination of cracks in walls, on the floor and on the ceiling. Spores of mold can penetrate the bathroom from neighboring apartments even through microscopic gaps.