Harmful proposals from builders
Top useless and even harmful proposals from builders on how to get rid of mold:
- Washing walls with bleach:
- Dangerous for health: The fumes from bleach can be more harmful than mold itself
- Ineffective solution: It does not solve the root cause of the problem and requires regular repetition
2. Installing underfloor heating, especially using IR film:
- Harmful for health: Can cause issues like arthritis and is deadly for pets
- Ineffective against mold: Does not address humidity issues and is a waste of electricity
- Only beneficial for builders: Profitable for those installing it, but not for the homeowner
3. Expensive air-purification systems:
- Ineffective against humidity and mold: High costs with little to no benefit in solving the mold problem
- Profit-driven: Primarily benefits the companies selling and installing these systems
4. Drilling holes in walls:
- Minimal benefit: While it allows air to enter, this can often be achieved by simply opening a window
- Overpriced: Real cost per hole is around 20–30 €, but charged at 160–200 €, justified by the high price of diamond drill bits, which actually have a long lifespan with proper use
5. External wall insulation, capoto:
- Impractical in multi-unit buildings: Cannot be applied to shared facades
- Locks moisture inside: Can exacerbate humidity and mold issues rather than solve them
- Cost versus benefit: Often sold at a high price but mainly benefits the builders
Most construction work should be carried out only after consultation with an independent engineer.