Mould infestation is a major problem that affects many parts of the house. It thrives especially in areas with high levels of moisture which create a damp and warm atmosphere where the mould breeds. Many wine cellars are attacked by mould due to the favourable conditions in them; room temperatures that may be warm sometimes, lack of sunlight and high humidity in the wooden racks. This can cause a lot of damage in the appearance of your storage space, and leave stains and marks that are hard to remove.
Causes of mould
Usually, they attack wine cellars because the conditions are favourable for their growth and spreading. This may occur due to failure of the vapour barrier to function. The vapour barrier is a vital feature of storage rooms that regulates the humidity conditions in the cellar. They work by preventing the process of condensation in which warm air is cooled and turned into tiny drops of water. When the vapour barrier fails to prevent this natural phenomenon, there is a build up of moisture which makes the place damp; a very inviting environment for infestation of mould.
Improper insulation of the walls is also another factor that can encourage the growth of mould. Essentially, the walls of a cellar are insulated from allowing hot air into the storage which would tamper with the aging process of the wine. Therefore, when the insulation is not functioning as expected, hot air enters into the storage, raising the temperatures and creating an enabling environment for breeding of mould.
Finally, if the humidity levels in the room are not controlled, they may sky-rocket to a point where the wood and walls become extremely damp. This is bad for these features because it accelerates the attack by mould causing them to be quickly covered by the organism. Other effects of mould include allergies and internal damage of the wood.
How to manage mould
The best way to manage the mould infestation and prevent it from spreading and causing further damage is to hire an expert to establish the root cause of the problem. This is important in completely eliminating any chance that the mould will resurface once it has been dealt with. Once the cause is identified among the three mentioned above, it is easier to deal with the problem once and for all.
Ideally, the affected part of the room should be removed and replaced with another part that is free from mould. Care should be taken to remove the whole infested part thus get rid of all the roots of the mould. After replacing these parts, you should repair any dysfunctional parts and restore the proper conditions in the room. This way, you are sure that the problem has been flushed out completely with very little chances of recurring.
How to prevent mould
The most important thing is to always inspect your cellar room and make sure that everything is functioning as it should. With the help of a professional, ensure you repair or replace any faulty parts before it is too late. Also, regularly inspect the parts of the room like the walls, ceilings, floor and wood to identify any patches of mould that have just began growing. The earlier you identify the growth, the easier it is for you to deal with them as they will not have spread to a great extent.
If by any chance you happen to have a flooding episode in your cellar, dry out all the water thoroughly making sure that nothing is left damp. Otherwise, you will be creating an opportunity for mould to creep into the room and destroy your expensive cellars.
