BuySellBA
Administrator
Housing: How much does it cost to prevent humidity and protect walls against fungi? - Infobae
Source:
Vivienda: cuánto cuesta evitar la humedad y proteger las paredes contra los hongos
Es un problema común en superficies pintadas, en especial en áreas poco ventiladas. Los cambios de clima y las lluvias recientes agravaron la situación, afectando tanto interiores como exteriores
www.infobae.com
July 27, 2024
It is a common problem on painted surfaces, especially in poorly ventilated areas. The recent changes in climate and rain have aggravated the situation, affecting both interiors and exteriors.
By Jose Luis Cieri
Paints do not eliminate existing fungi on their own, so prior cleaning and repair of the wall is crucial (Illustrative image Infobae)
Fungal growth is a common problem on painted surfaces in a home, especially in areas with high humidity and poor ventilation. Indoor environments and weather conditions directly affect the appearance of these black spots, even on exterior walls.
These points are seen in the places where walls meet beams, nooks or crannies where the outside ventilation is less than in other more exposed areas, such as balcony ceilings on the first floors or in houses in private neighbourhoods. These problems have been aggravated by the recent temperature changes and high percentages of environmental humidity and the abundance of rain, some light, others long-lasting.
All of this can directly affect exterior surfaces, especially if they have recently been painted, home maintenance specialists stress.
“This effect also appears, and not by chance, in places where there is a lot of vegetation, such as trees and various plants. When faced with this, there is no other solution than to clean the fungus with a solution of hypochlorite (bleach) in water or with specific anti-fungal cleaning products,” explained Hugo Drago , technical advisor for the Sui Color paint stores, to Infobae .
What attracts fungi
Outdoors, rapid fungal growth manifests itself as black spots on painted surfaces, especially in areas with moisture condensation caused by low temperatures and abundant vegetation.“Indoors, the causes include poor ventilation, the use of heaters with no outlet to the outside and the presence of cold walls facing south/southeast, where there are wide temperature differences between the inside and the outside. High ambient humidity also favors the proliferation of fungi,” added Drago.
To prevent the formation of fungi on exterior surfaces, especially in areas with high humidity and nearby vegetation, it is essential to choose the right materials and practices. “Smog and pollution are inevitable, but they can create cracks and cavities where green algae and tree seeds form and germinate easily,” said architect Gabriela Correa , a specialist in the design, management and execution of new and remodeling works, and stressed the importance of constant maintenance.
Coatings with incorporated color and different textures, when applied correctly, can offer good results. “As for maintenance, it is crucial to check the surface and choose acrylic-based water-based waterproofing products or waterproofing paints for exteriors,” Correa added.
Black spots are seen where walls meet beams and recesses, where ventilation is lower and close to moldings and ceilings.
Recommended paintings
For interiors, special latex paints for bathrooms and kitchens are recommended, which contain effective anti-fungal additives and super-washable latex.“Likewise, latex paints with nanotechnology include silver particles with natural anti-fungal activity. For exteriors, waterproofing products with a certain elasticity in their film are suggested, generally self-cleaning, which makes it difficult for fungi to take hold,” said Drago.
Paints and coatings must have certain characteristics to be effective in preventing fungus.
Ventilation and humidity control are essential, especially indoors. Cross ventilation and the use of extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms are key to reducing humidity.
“Clients often have bathrooms with windows but still face humidity problems due to lack of proper ventilation during winter. The choice of colours and pigmentation also influences protection, as light colours reflect light better and help reduce surface moisture,” the specialist added.
Climatic conditions, especially high ambient humidity and wide temperature fluctuations, significantly influence the proliferation of fungi on painted surfaces, both indoors and outdoors, and particularly on cold walls.
Surface preparation
Preparing a surface before applying anti-fungal paint is essential. The surface must be firm and clean. In case of fungus, it is necessary to wash it with a solution of hypochlorite and water (10% bleach, 90% water), avoiding mopping to avoid transferring microorganisms.“For exteriors, hydro-washes with anti-fungal additives can be used. Once dry, the appropriate paint or textured coating is applied, following the manufacturer's instructions,” said Drago.
Maintenance and proper choice of materials are essential to prevent fungal problems outdoors and indoors.
Climatic conditions such as high humidity and temperature fluctuations have a significant influence on the proliferation of fungi on painted surfaces, especially on cold walls. Properly preparing and treating surfaces before painting is crucial to ensure effective protection against fungi.
According to Correa, the first step in new plastering is to sand the surface to remove residue and improve smoothness, followed by a good primer base. “In both cases of repainting and new plastering, it is essential to smooth the surface with putty and plaster to level the wall, sand and touch up with putty as many times as necessary, and then apply a fixative that serves as an adhesion bridge before the final paint,” he explained.
Preparing the wall well so that it looks good is key (Photo: Freepik)
It is also important to respect the drying times at each stage to avoid the appearance of fungi.
Correa advised checking surfaces and using waterproofing products. “Indoors, ventilation is key and the choice of paints must take into account light. Preparing surfaces well is essential.”
Values
The price range for anti-fungal paints varies significantly. In the case of domestic paints, prices range from $16,000 per litre to $58,000 for four litres.
To keep your home looking in perfect order, you need to know how to do the work well in different areas, including interior walls (Illustrative Image Infobae)
For imported paints, prices range from $25,000 per liter to $80,000 for four liters.
“These paints guarantee that the walls, both interior and exterior, will remain in perfect condition without the appearance of fungi for a period of 5 to 6 years, as long as the surfaces are free of fungi at the time of application,” said Drago.
The total cost of exterior wall and surface repairs before painting ranges from USD 100 to USD 300 per square meter.
www.buysellba.com
Last edited:
