Copper sulfate - application against fungus

Mold is a common problem in modern homes. This is not surprising, because nowadays plastic windows are widely used, which perfectly retain heat in the room, prevent the penetration of street noise, but they also have a significant drawback - poor air circulation in the house. As a result, mold appears on the slopes of windows, at the joints of walls. Of course, the cause of the appearance of the fungus can be increased humidity, as well as poor ventilation in the house. Copper sulfate is an effective anti-mold agent, but to get the working composition, you need to know how to dilute copper sulfate. The use of copper sulfate against fungus requires caution and adherence to safety rules. In the article we will tell you how to breed copper sulfate and how to use it correctly.

to contents ↑

Where does mold come from, how is it dangerous?

The fungus that appeared on the walls not only spoils the appearance of the room, but is also very dangerous for the health of people living in such a house. Mold can cause:

• headaches;
• constant weakness;
• general malaise;
• respiratory diseases.

Important! Spores of the fungus can cause an allergic reaction, provoke an asthma attack.

Spores of the fungus travel through the air until they reach a favorable environment. With a certain combination of humidity and high temperature, a gray spot first appears on the walls, and over time - a colony of microorganisms acquires a black or greenish tint. In addition, the mold begins to exude an unpleasant odor, which is very difficult to remove. One of the few remedies that can save from this scourge is copper sulfate, which has been used for a long time against fungus.

Important! Favorite places of mold: bathroom, toilet, kitchen, basement, balcony and all rooms where it is damp, warm. The fungus spoils not only the walls and ceiling of the house, but everything around: wallpaper, tiles, carpet, clothes, furniture, books, a refrigerator and a washing machine.

This unsolicited and harmful “guest” comes quietly, but develops and spreads very quickly. So it is necessary to fight with the “tenant” right away, from the first moments of its appearance.

to contents ↑

We clarify the cause of mold in your apartment

In order to say goodbye to the fungus once and for all, first of all it is necessary to identify the cause of its appearance and immediately eliminate it. Favorable conditions for the propagation of mold are:

• High air temperature (from 20 degrees).
• High humidity.
• Poor ventilation.

All these conditions can be created in violation of the norms of construction work:

• Poor waterproofing of the walls.
• Lack of wall seam insulation.
• Incorrect and poor installation of windows.
• Damp in the basement.
• Problems with plumbing and sewer systems.

to contents ↑

Mildew Prevention

In order to get rid of mold forever, it is necessary to simultaneously eliminate the conditions for the appearance and reproduction of the fungus along with the treatment of the infected room with copper sulfate. To do this, it is recommended to carry out very simple, but effective preventive measures:

• Keep plumbing and plumbing in order.
• Avoid overcooling of walls and floors in the room.
• Ventilate all rooms and technical rooms regularly.
• Put the ventilation system in order.
• Do not let humidity increase in the apartment - never hang wet clothes, do not boil water in pots for a long time, etc.
• In rooms with high humidity, install additional heat sources.
• Limit the number of indoor plants.
• When installing furniture on external walls (outdoor), leave a small space for air circulation.
• When replacing wooden windows with plastic, take care of additional ventilation. This is especially important if the ceiling and walls are covered with non-breathing materials - plastic panels, ceramic tiles, MDF panels or non-woven, vinyl wallpaper.
• Keep your house clean as mold pores stick to dust and spread throughout the room. Where clean, the fungus very rarely appears.
• After each wet cleaning, be sure to ventilate the room.
• For repairs, use only moisture-resistant building materials and do not forget about antiseptic substances.

to contents ↑

How to get rid of mold on the walls?

Humanity is constantly struggling with the fungus, using both folk methods and chemical preparations. Mechanical methods are also used to combat mold, destroying fungal spores by scraping, and they also use quartz lamps, ozonizers and other devices and methods.

One of the most common mold control methods is copper sulfate, the use of which is affordable and effective against fungus. The drug is made in the form of a powder or granules of blue color. It can be purchased at any household, construction markets and any other stores offering goods for the garden.

How to breed copper sulfate to treat mold walls?

To process the walls, it is necessary to prepare a working solution. To breed copper sulfate, proceed as follows:

1. Pour warm water into a container.
2. Dilute copper sulfate in water at the rate of 20-30 grams per 1 liter of water.
3. Mix the finished composition thoroughly.
4. To increase the effectiveness of the product, add 1 tbsp. To the solution. a spoonful of vinegar.
5. If the fungus has already developed strongly on the wall, then use the following solution: for 10 liters of water, 200-400 grams of powder and 200 grams of vinegar or any household product containing chlorine.

Important! When working with copper sulfate, observe safety rules - protect your hands with rubber gloves, protect your eyes from accidental splashes with glasses, cover your mouth and nose with a respirator or gauze bandage.

After the solution is prepared, begin processing the walls.

Instructions for processing walls with copper sulfate:

1. Clean the walls from wallpaper. Immediately throw away the strips of wallpaper, as they may remain spores of the fungus.
2. Carefully remove the affected plaster with a spatula.
3. Treat the cleaned surface with sandpaper to get rid of the lesions invisible to the eye.
4. Wipe the cleaned surface with soap and water to increase the efficiency of further processing.
5. Let the wall dry for several hours.
6. Pour the solution into the spray bottle.
7. Wear protective equipment.
8. Using a spray bottle or kitchen sponge, apply the prepared solution to the cleaned areas of the wall.
9. Let the agent dry for 3-5 hours.
10. Carry copper sulfate again - so applying it against a fungus will be more effective.
11. The treatment procedure is carried out 2-5 times, depending on the degree of contamination of the walls.
12. After the final treatment, let the walls dry thoroughly.
13. After processing, limit the time spent in the room. After 2-3 days, the solution will completely dry out and will not pose a risk to human health.
14. Proceed to plastering the walls and wallpapering.

Important! While processing the room, open the windows and turn on the hood so as not to be poisoned by copper sulfate vapors.Thoroughly wash and dry your clothes in the fresh air.

Helpful hints:

1. To completely treat the walls from the fungus, 3-4 buckets of mortar are enough. Do not spare copper sulfate when used against a fungus, because it is inexpensive.
2. Cover decorative panels of wood and partition walls from timber with colorless varnish to protect materials from rot and dampness, which means from fungus.
3. Treat the cracks in the wall with sealant before applying the plaster. Surface treatment with any purchased antiseptic will not be superfluous.

to contents ↑

Other mold remover

To combat spores of the fungus, various antiseptic agents can be used. However, it should be remembered that all antiseptic drugs are poisons, and when working with them, you must strictly adhere to the instructions and observe safety measures.

Primer

This proven tool can be bought at any hardware store. An antiseptic primer will not only help in the fight against fungus, but also protect the walls and interior items from the appearance of spores of microorganisms.

Application Features:

1. Usually, an antiseptic primer is sold ready-made, but sometimes it must be diluted with water.
2. Before using the drug, be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions.
3. Before applying a primer, the surface must be thoroughly cleaned to brick or concrete.
4. Apply the composition only on a dry wall.
5. You can use an ordinary brush for surface treatment.
6. After the primer is completely dry, you can proceed to the decorative coating of the walls.

Bleach

This drug is no less effective than the primer, but it is cheaper. The use of bleach will rid the surface of any kind of fungus. In addition, bleach containing chlorine destroys not only mold, but also spores of microorganisms.

To prepare the working solution, dilute 1 liter of bleach in 10 liters of water. The room in which the treatment is carried out must be well ventilated.

Important! Before using the product, be sure to protect yourself with personal protective equipment.

Vinegar

An affordable and universal folk remedy - vinegar, is also able to destroy the fungus. The use of vinegar is safer, although the smell of acid is not very pleasant.

Vinegar is applied to the affected areas using a spray or dishwashing sponge. One hour after treatment, rinse all surfaces with water and carefully ventilate the room.

Important! For prevention, treat problem areas with vinegar once every 7-10 days.

Hydrogen peroxide

Another available folk method for combating mold is the use of hydrogen peroxide (3% solution). Peroxide is odorless and does not emit harmful substances. You can buy the drug at any pharmacy.

The use of peroxide is a fairly effective method, but there is one drawback after all - surface whitening. Therefore, hydrogen peroxide must be carefully used on painted surfaces and furniture.

Important! In addition to the above antiseptic agents, to combat the fungus, you can also use such folk remedies as ammonia and soda:

• Spray ammonia on the affected surface.
• From baking soda, prepare a solution: 1 tbsp. a spoonful of product per 200 grams of water.

to contents ↑

Stock footage

As you can see, there are a lot of methods to combat fungus and mold, but still the most effective of them is the prevention of the appearance of microorganisms. Protect your home from unsolicited “guests”!