Why does mold grow on windows and how to vent the flat appropriately.
Very often small mold stains develop directly on the window embrasure or close to window sills. This article will explain what the reasons for the development of mold on windows are and what can be done to prevent it.
As mentioned in other articles mildew needs a lot of moisture and humidity to grow. Often mold growth develops on walls on which moist air condenses leaving a film of water. Here mold can spread easily. Warm air contains more water than cold air. A constantly tilted window does not allow for a quick exchange of air and cools the adjacent walls down. Here water can condense on the wall and promote mold growth.
Once mildew has developed it is not enough to simply wipe it away, hoping that it will not come back. First of all you should be very thorough with the mold remediation, meaning in order to remove mold you should wipe down windows and other contaminated areas with strong alcohol (70%-80% alcohol per volume), completely replace affected silicone seams and disinfect the adjacent parts with alcohol. Make sure that you don’t smoke or work with naked flames when you use strong alcohol. Fire hazard!
Once you managed to get rid of the mold on the window, you should take preventive measures to avoid the problem from coming back. Based on the assumption that there are no structural defects responsible for mold on the window, the reason for the mildew growth is that you do not vent the room correctly.
Mold and correct ventilation are closely related. In order to avoid further problems with mold on the window you should vent 2 to 3 times a day for 5 to 10 minutes, fully opening two opposing windows, allowing a complete air exchange in the flat. In doing so, moisture and humidity from inside the building can be easily removed.
Should you wish to check and monitor the humidity in a room, I recommend that you buy a simple hygrometer. Humidity should be between 50% and maximally 70%. Do you measure higher levels of humidity, you correctly vent the room and the mold returns, it is very likely that structural defects exist. These should be assessed by a specialist company.
Once more: In order to not give mold any chance to grow, it is pivotal to vent correctly!
