Uninvited Guests Inviting Illness: Moisture and Mold
Due to inadequate insulation, moisture and mold pose a threat to both human health and building integrity.
Health professionals emphasize that mold growth caused by moisture in our homes, workplaces, and schools can lead to various health risks, from allergic reactions to respiratory issues. Additionally, moisture-induced mold not only damages walls, finishes, and furniture but also weakens structural elements like beams and columns, compromising the building's strength. Proper water, moisture, damp, and thermal insulation applications are among the most effective measures against mold and fungal growth, which threaten both human health and building stability.
In homes, workplaces, and schools—especially in ground-level and basement floors, damp areas like bathrooms and kitchens, and uninsulated walls exposed to the exterior such as living rooms and bedrooms—wet spots, peeling plaster, and mold in shades from green to black are common sights. Various studies show that this issue, known to the public, is prevalent. According to a 2018 report by TÜİK (Turkish Statistical Institute), 36% of homes in Turkey suffer from dampness, moisture, and mold.
Moisture, Dampness, and Mold Threaten Both Building and Human Health, Leading to Significant Financial Losses
Moisture-induced mold growth in our homes and workplaces poses health risks. Health professionals warn that mold growth can cause not only allergic reactions but also lung infections and shortness of breath, aggravating chronic conditions such as asthma and COPD. Mold growth is particularly hazardous for infants, children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Beyond health risks, mold growth due to moisture weakens walls, coatings, furniture, and even load-bearing structures, causing significant financial losses from repair costs to increased heating expenses.
Putting a Stop to Uninvited Guests—Moisture and Mold—Through Insulation
Proper water, moisture, damp, and thermal insulation applications are among the most effective measures against mold and fungal growth caused by dampness and moisture, which threaten both human health and building integrity. Tolga Ceylan, Sales and Marketing Manager at Eryap Group—the only 100% Turkish-owned brand in the insulation sector under Bonus Insulation—emphasizes that inadequate water, moisture, damp, and thermal insulation is the primary cause of mold and fungal growth and provides insights on solutions.
Highlighting that effective insulation, even when applied later, plays a crucial role in preventing moisture, damp, and mold-related risks to health and building durability, Tolga Ceylan explains, “The main reason for mold and fungus formation indoors is the condensation of warm, humid air on cold surfaces, commonly known as sweating. The solution to this indoor problem is external insulation. Preventing condensation without water, moisture, damp, and thermal insulation is quite difficult. However, these are measures that can be implemented later and are highly effective in mitigating moisture, dampness, and mold risks. For instance, our Bonus Stone Wool product, produced at our state-of-the-art Hendek Sakarya facility, can be used for roofs, facades, floors, and partition walls, providing water repellency to prevent moisture and mold formation. With Bonus Stone Wool, the temperature of an indoor space at 22°C can feel like 20.5°C against an external temperature of -10°C, helping to maintain comfort conditions within the living space and preventing mold formation from moisture. Fire-resistant and flame-retardant, our Bonus Stone Wool product also provides sound insulation, creating a more comfortable space. Manufactured from volcanic rocks through a process that turns inorganic stones into fibers, Bonus Stone Wool is an eco-friendly product compatible with the ecological system. Our insulation products, including Bonus Stone Wool, help put a stop to the moisture and mold that pose risks to human health and building stability, while also preventing aesthetic damages and financial losses.”