Mould and Fungus
Microorganisms
Biological colonization
Description
Microscopic colonies of filaments or patches of different colours (white, grey or black).
Not to be confused with
Rot. Algae. Lichen. Salt efflorescence.
Interrelations between damages
Algae. Rot. Lichen.
Necessary parameters to characterize the damage
Visual inspection.
Relative and material humidity measurement.
Possible materials to occur
All possible materials.
Possible construction elements to occur
All possible elements.
Possible causes
Moisture present in porous materials and/ or in the air.
Organic pollution favours mould growth.
Lack of cleaning and maintenance.
Favorable environmental conditions.
Possible Consequences
Can penetrate several centimeters into the materials, via their filamentous and/ or growth.
Heavy material discolouration due to the digestive enzymes that produce coloured materials.
Chemical and mechanical damage by stainning, break down and digestion of organic materials - fungal hyphae are the destructive phase of mould attack.
The digestive enzymes produce acids that attack materials which are not normally susceptible to mould growth, for example, stone and metals.
Possible mitigation / prevention actions
Chemical control via biocides, carefully selected and applied.
Reduce the water/ moisture available in the substrate material.
Dehumidification.
Presence of down-like white moulds on a limestone block (source@ICOMOS).
Presence of down-like white moulds on a limestone block (source@ICOMOS).
Presence of Coniophora puteana (source@www.fcba.fr).
Presence of Coniophora puteana (source@www.fcba.fr).
Presence of Coniophora puteana.
Presence of Coniophora puteana.
Presence of Serpula lacrymans (source@www.fcba.fr).
Presence of Serpula lacrymans (source@www.fcba.fr).
Presence of Serpula lacrymans (source@www.fcba.fr).
Presence of Serpula lacrymans (source@www.fcba.fr).
Presence of Blue stain fungus.
Presence of Blue stain fungus.
Presence of Mould (source@www.fcba.fr).
Presence of Mould (source@www.fcba.fr).