You spent on replacing the old wooden windows with new ones made of plastic, but with the advent of autumn they began to leak and soon a fungus began to be observed. If mold appeared on the slopes of plastic windows, what to do and how to prevent this trouble from happening in the future? The washed out black molds cannot be washed off just like that, they will appear again.
Common causes of mold
Why do the slopes on the plastic windows blacken and spots appear on the windowsill? There are some reasons for this.
Firstly, the old wooden windows had gaps that provided air circulation in the room. Yes, there were drafts and heat losses, but the humidity was normal. As soon as the frames were changed to PVC, the situation changed: the movement of oxygen stopped and favorable conditions were created for the development of the fungus on the slopes on plastic windows.
Secondly, in order for mold to reproduce at a tremendous speed, two important factors must be provided - humidity and heat. Wood let condensate pass through and evaporate it, while plastic does not because of its tightness. In addition, there is often a violation of the technology for installing PVC windows, in which case water is collected on the frame and contributes to the development of a harmful environment.
Just washing away the mold that has appeared on the slopes of the windows is not enough: you need to eliminate the reason why it appears, otherwise everything will be repeated.
How and how to eliminate mold on the slopes of PVC windows
What to do if mold appeared on the slopes of a plastic window, how to deal with it? It is necessary to prepare inventory and tools in order to process the surface. It can be:
- antifungal solutions for surface treatment;
- chlorine-containing detergents;
- personal protective equipment (gloves, respirator, etc.).
If you have to disassemble the slope, then prepare:
- drill, putty knife, chisel;
- screwdrivers, ruler, pencil and tape measure;
- material for thermal insulation;
- sealant, foam, mastic;
- plastic panel, starting strip;
- knife and glue for plastic.
The war against fungi is carried out in several stages. How to permanently remove mold from the slopes of plastic windows, what should be done to prevent its appearance?
Surface cleaning
Pay attention to the material that protects the slopes on the windows after installation. How to get rid of mold on the slopes, if it is plastic, on which stains appeared? You should dismantle the panel and disinfect the wall under it. When covering the slope with drywall, you will have to remove it completely and replace it with a new one, since the mold has penetrated deep into the material, from where you can not get it out.
Using a brush, clean the frame and slope of the fungus and treat with a solution of bleach, be sure to wear gloves. After such procedures, ventilate the room.
Antiseptic Surface Treatment
You can buy ready-made products at household stores. These compounds are made on the basis of chlorine or copper sulfate. In addition, you can make the tool yourself, for example, take 70% acetic acid 0.2 l, add 0.2 l boric acid and dilute 1 l of water. Second option: take 0.1 L sodium fluoride, add 0.1 L copper sulfate and dilute in 1 L of water. You can take copper sulfate and bleach 1: 1 and dilute with 5 parts of water.
The antiseptic is applied with a brush to the entire surface, be sure to wear gloves on your hands, and after processing, ventilate the room.
Result fixing
In order for mold to not appear, it is necessary to waterproof. To do this, mastic is suitable, which covers the fully machined surface of the wall, making it waterproof, it can last several years.
After carrying out the manipulations, if the result was not achieved, you can try to make ventilation ducts in the upper part of the window or you will need to drill a hole in the windowsill, which closes the battery.
There are several tools that will remove fungi:
- Antiseptic primer. The use of such a tool during construction and finishing work is the prevention of the formation of fungi.
- Bleach. Chlorine-based products that we regularly clean and wash windows are excellent antiseptics.
- Vinegar or citric acid. This tool, which is in every kitchen, can help in the fight against harmful fungi.
- Hydrogen peroxide. Many types of fungi die in contact with this drug, in addition, it is not toxic to humans.
- Ammonia can help if a fungus appears on a smooth surface, glass or tile.
- Baking soda. Having prepared an aqueous solution, you can treat the stains, while washing it off is not worth it, because soda does not harm the materials.
- Borax. Natural material dissolves in water and is applied on the surface affected by the fungus. It does not need to be washed off.
- Tea tree oil or grapefruit seed extract. Dissolve in water and apply by spraying on a plane with mold.
- Sometimes they use potassium permanganate in solution or stationery glue diluted with water.
Whatever tool is chosen, you need to know how to remove mold from the slopes. Thoroughly clean the surface and apply an antiseptic several times, then a lasting effect will be ensured.
Rules to prevent mold
There are some points that must be observed so that black mold stains do not appear on your windows. Follow these rules constantly.
- Do not force a ventilation hole in the kitchen. In this room, most often there is an elevated temperature. If you close the ventilation grill, this will lead to a violation of circulation;
- at least twice a year check your plastic windows and take care of them. You need to make sure the fittings are in good working order, sealing, the slopes and frames are clean. If a slight defect or breakdown is found, try to contact the master as soon as possible or fix the problem yourself. The best timely repair and maintenance of plastic windows, than then get rid of the fungus;
- no need to plant indoor plants in large quantities, they also contribute to increased humidity in the room;
- if there are interior doors in the room, try to open them and keep them open - this also contributes to air circulation;
- it is necessary to carry out ventilation. It is worth doing every day. A good option would be the availability of air conditioning;
- try not to dry the laundry indoors with the windows closed;
- Do not forget to regularly treat the surface of windows with products that include chlorine.
The most important mold companion is condensation. If you notice its appearance, inspect the window frame. Pay attention to the lower corners. If you find black dots, you must begin to deal with them. Rinse them with a special solution or treat with bleach.
You can purchase an antiseptic primer and cover with it the places where mold appeared, leaving the treated layer for 2 days, then rinse with water.
Preventive actions
Keep an eye on the temperature regime of the room: it should not be higher than 22 degrees. Humidity should not exceed 60 percent. You can buy a special hygrometer in order to see the state of the environment of the apartment. Do not install a wide windowsill that covers the battery. If all defects in the window design are fixed, but the problem appears, it is worthwhile to deal with the ventilation system. You can install a ventilation or air conditioning system.
When cooking, turn on the hood. Do not forget about the bathroom, where you also need to provide good ventilation, leave the door open after water procedures. Try to regularly clean windows using special solutions. Inspect frames regularly, lubricate machinery, and rubber gaskets.
To exclude the appearance of fungus and then not to figure out how to deal with mold, it is best to install windows in the warm season. During installation, carefully blow out all the cracks with foam, and in places that cause suspicion, go through the sealant.