Firstly, it is not possible that insulated walls become mouldy. The reasoning for this is so easy to understand that you do not even need to have idea of building physics. For this mould to develop and grow, it needs moisture. Because now the surface temperatures on the inside of insulated walls are usually between 17 to 19 degrees, no condensation can accumulate there (only below 12 degrees it is critical). Insulated walls are so bone-dry, mould has no chance there -.
But since the most pseudo-scientific discussion about the mould problem insulated walls for laymen often conveys a certain plausibility, here’s a little food for those who continue to be – technically sound – and want to participate in the discussion.
“What makes us problems, is not what we do not know, but what we know for sure what actually is wrong.” I have this phrase from the movie “An Inconvenient Truth” by Al Gore. Al Gore has got it from Mark Twain. And you have the set from me now.
Long time “knew” we know that the earth is flat, that spinach is particularly rich in iron and that new window to perform mould on the walls. The thing about the earth and the spinach has long been settled that clarify with the windows, the walls and the mould we are now.
Everyone “knows” that after the installation of windows, the house is denser and therefore you must ventilate to prevent mould. That this “knowledge” is wrong, everyone could deduce with some basic understanding itself. But because of building physics basic understanding is overall not very widespread, it is believed that what appears is reasonably plausible. So the important seals of brand new windows are occasionally applied to using a craft knife, or simply torn out to at least halfway restoring the old “air condition” again (ouch). If you do get mould around the windows then it can be difficult to paint that area without having to clean thoroughly first.
Or one can adopt for continuous ventilation, although not only the cost of heating up hunting, but also the risk of mould increases: Namely, because of the space including interior walls during ventilation may so far cools, that forms on the cold wall surface condensation, which then still can cause more mould.
It is actually easy to understand, you have to look at only three cases:
First, the original state. The old window in winter temperature on the inside of an estimated 10 degrees or slightly less. The result is condensation. This is problematic, because the condensation on the disc flows downward and at worst collects on the window sill as small puddle. The water you have to wipe out every now and then.
Uninsulated old building walls have a slightly better insulating properties than old window, the surface temperature of the walls is on the inside thus higher, estimated at 15 degrees. In the corners, but only at about 12 degrees. Just been lucky: Because of the so-called dew point is slightly lower, anywhere from 10.5 to 12.0 degrees.
It is good to know the surfaces whose temperature is lower or equal to the dew point temperature falls from condensation. See www.housepaintersmelbourne.net/
On the uninsulated walls in our example, there is no risk of condensation, because even the cold 12-degree surface temperature of the room corners is just above the dew point temperature. Although the room air must be heated up to 23 degrees, so that one despite the cold surfaces, which feels a surrounding, pleasant and comfortable. Except for the extremely high heating costs but the world is in order.
So there you have it some of the steps you need to take to eradicate mould from walls that you are about to paint of walls that have already been painted, and which you don’t want to have to re paint anytime soon.
Keep an eye out for the second instalment of this piece on dealing with mould on walls.