What Are Molds And How Do You Stop Them
Molds are a big problem in the concrete industry. Thats because they grow in moist areas like concrete, and because mold needs moisture to thrive, it can easily find its way onto your homes concrete surfaces.
To help prevent mold infestation, you first need to be able to identify it. Fortunately, this is an easy task. If you see any dark spots on the surface of your concrete or anywhere there are white specks, thats a sign that molds could be present. If youre unsure whether you have a mold problem, you should consider hiring a professional to assist you.
With the comprehensive mold inspection, you can be sure to identify any areas that have mold and take action to eliminate the growth. At Guardian Angel Inspections, our mold inspection experts know how to check for mold to ensure the health and safety of your home.
Please note that mold infestations can originate anywhere in your home, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and bedrooms. And as weve identified, mold can also grow on concrete surfaces that are exposed to humidity and moisture . You can do your part to prevent a mold problem from occurring by following some simple steps.
First, clean your entire home periodically with bleach or other household cleaners. Its easy to do if youre mindful of what youre cleaning. This will help reduce the potential for mold to grow, ensuring a healthy and safe environment.
How To Prevent Black Mold On Concrete
Maintaining the concretes environment is pretty significant. The surroundings must be dry, clean, and free from the spore contamination. Before taking the further action, make sure to fix the leak problem and mind the vaporization process that often occurs inside your home.
For the betterment, let your home interior gets the sun exposure by opening the doors and windows as well. There are numerous ways you can do to keep the moisture away such as installing dehumidifiers and utilizing fans. Additionally, the air circulation must be fine.
In conclusion, cleaning up and preventing the black mold on concrete can be carried out in easy ways.
How To Remove Mold From Concrete: 7 Effective Ways
With its light color and unprecedented durability, concrete is a great material of choice for patios, driveways, walks, and basement walls and floors. And while concrete is one of the strongest raw construction materials, its porous consistency makes it susceptible to mold, which takes root in the moisture trapped in those tiny nooks and crannies.
Once its taken root, it grows and spreads, marring your beautiful patio or driveway with black or green splotches that arent only unsightly but also present a potentially serious health hazard.
Knowing how to remove mold from concrete effectively is key to maintaining the aesthetics and safety of the concrete in and around your home. The best way to remove mold from concrete is to apply a bleach solution, laundry detergent, and water to the affected area, scrub it with a brush, and rinse it clean with a sponge indoors, or hose or power washer if outside.
In this article, well examine why mold forms on concrete, to begin with, review the best methods for cleaning mold off of concrete, and discuss strategies for ensuring the mold doesnt return.
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We Have A Problem With A Room In Our Basement It Is Uninsulated And Has A Moldy Smell The Odor Is Worse In The Winter Months My Son Likes To Sleep In The Room
Youll want to focus on two items increasing the temperature and the air flow. Addressing these issues will lower the humidity and the mold growth/musty odor.
Purchase a relative humidity gauge and install it in the basement. Your goal is to keep the RH below 50%. Increase the heat as necessary to lower the RH until youve reached 50%.
The easiest way to increase the ventilation is to run a bathroom exhaust fan. If theres an existing fan in the basement, run it at least 12 hours per day in the winter months.
Its also important to verify whether the basement is suffering from vapor emissions through the concrete slab. This occurs when water vapor moves up through the slab and into the room above. If the basement is carpeted, the moisture can become trapped and lead to mold growth. See our page on basement mold for more info.
What Did We Learn
We learned that mold can grow under vinyl flooring that is installed on concrete. Mold can also grow under linoleum and laminate floors. Mold spores only need a small amount of oxygen, cellulose, and moisture to grow colonies. The spores get under your vinyl flooring through small cuts in the surface, seams, and gaps along the edges of the flooring.
Black mold is the most common type of mold that grows under vinyl flooring on concrete. This describes a variety of molds that are black or brown. Black mold is harmful if it is inhaled.
If you find black mold on your vinyl flooring, spray it with bleach, and have a professional install new flooring. You should also have a plumber check for water leaks.
If you find bubbles in your vinyl flooring or notice any discoloration, these are signs of mold between the vinyl and concrete. It is impossible to clean mold from under vinyl flooring while leaving the flooring intact. The best solution is to replace the flooring.
Repair and seal the concrete before new flooring is installed. Make sure that there are no bubbles under the vinyl, and check for seams, gaps, and cuts in the material. Replace baseboards and wood trim that has signs of mold or moisture.
Also Check: Mold On Ceiling Of Bathroom
Is Vinyl Flooring Good For Basements
The best type of flooring for basements is vinyl. Vinyl flooring can come in the form of vinyl plank and vinyl tile, giving it the ability to look nearly identical to hardwood and stone products with the added benefit of being waterproof. Vinyl flooring is made of PVC making it durable and waterproof.
Signs Of Mold On Concrete
To know if you have mold growth on your concrete, you can first see what the growth looks like. Sometimes, a reaction with water and concrete creates the mineral growth called efflorescence. This can look like a white mold type growth coming out of your concrete structures.
If you see any growth happening on your concrete, contact Mold Busters to have a professional inspector visit your location and test the affected area to see if you have mold or not.
If the growth is brown, green, or black, the chances are that it is some mold colony growing on your concrete surfaces. At this point, you should not touch the affected area as mold spores are highly transportable via air currents. If you even walk by a mold colony, you could spread it to other areas of your home.
Recommended Reading: How To Clean Mold From Boat Seats
Can Mold Grow On Concrete Basement Walls
Mold is a type of fungus that tends to grow in areas with a lot of moisture. It tends to grow on organic matter such as wood or textiles, but it can also grow on concrete or cinder block walls. Clean it as soon as possible to help prevent its negative effects. Cinder blocks are porous and hold mold growth easily.
Besides, how do you remove mold from concrete basement walls?
Scrub the surface mold stains from walls and wood trim with a mixture of 1 qt. water and 1/2 cup bleach mold cleaner to kill the mold. Use a soft brush and work until signs of the mold disappear. After scrubbing the surfaces, simply allow the bleach solution to continue to penetrate the surfaces and dry.
Additionally, is mold on concrete dangerous? Dangers. Mold spores can cause many types of health risks, especially to those susceptible to allergies and respiratory problems , and they can cause inflammatory rashes, headaches, and other flu-like symptoms. So whenever you’re around concrete mold, make sure to take the proper precautions.
Similarly, you may ask, can mold grow on concrete walls?
Mold growth on a concrete wall due to excess humidity. On it’s own, concrete does not provide a sufficient food source for fungal growth. Therefore, unless the concrete is kept extremely clean, mold growth can occur. Of course, even if the concrete is covered in dust, mold will not grow without sufficient moisture.
Will a dehumidifier kill mold?
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White growth on concrete is nearly always efflorescence, not mold growth. You can verify this by spraying a bit of water on the suspected growth. If its efflorescence, it will disappear as the crystals are dissolved by the water. If its mold, it will flatten, but remain visible.
I recommend removing the rubber mats for now. The impervious nature of the mats will prevent the concrete from releasing the moisture. After a week or so, put a couple of mats back down. Peel them back a few days later and look for signs of moisture on the underside of the rubber. If you see moisture, pull them off and allow the concrete more time to dry.
Read Also: How To Remove Black Mold From Ceiling
How To Detect And Kill Mold On Concrete
When you think of mold growth, it is unlike that concrete is the first surface to come to mind. Rather, drywall, wood, or insulation are the more common areas that mold grows. However, mold can still grow on concrete leading to cosmetic damage and health concerns.
Getting rid of mold on concrete is a relatively easy process since the mold has a hard time getting past the surface of it. However, you should still take the correct steps to remove it so that it doesnt cause problems for you or your home down the road.
Get Your Solution Ready
There are three ways to get rid of mold:
The first and least damaging way is to use vinegar. Mix white vinegar and water to treat the affected area. This will also help you kill weeds, but wont harm the grass on your lawn or flower beds. Spray the vinegar mixture on the mold, and after a few minutes, you can start scrubbing.
The second and most common way of treating mold is with bleach. Fill a one-gallon bucket with warm water and 3/4 cup of liquid bleach. Make sure you ventilate the area where youre working. Then start scrubbing with the liquid bleach mixture.
The third way to treat mold is the most extreme. You can add trisodium phosphate to your bleach water. You should only add one-half cup to every two gallons of water and bleach. Trisodium phosphate will work on tougher mold. But because of the solutions strength, you should handle it with care.
While youre treating the mold, using whatever mixture you have, make sure to keep it as dry as possible. You can use a vacuum to suck away any extra water or sponge it up yourself.
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What You Need To Do First
Before you get started with removing mold from concrete, you need to gather the right materials.
You will need:
- Rubber Gloves
- Dust Mask
If youre working with vinegar to clean the mold, then wearing rubber gloves wont be as much of a concern. We still recommend that you wear old clothing that you dont mind getting damaged.
Some people are allergic to mold. They can get very sick when they come into contact with it. If this is you, then wear a dust mask and avoid getting it on your skin or in your eyes.
A Warning: Do not use metal brushes or steel wool to clean concrete. You should also avoid mixing bleach with other household cleaners. This could create toxic fumes.
Also Check: How To Clean Mold From Leather
How To Remove Mold From Concrete Floors In 5 Easy Steps
Last Updated on January 4, 2021 by Diana Rodriguez-Zaba
Mold is a common problem in most households, but it can also make you sick. Thats why its important to remove mold from concrete in your home.
Mold, just like mildew, is a growth that pops up in damp or shaded areas. That said, can mold grow on a concrete floor? Yes. Concrete floors, with their bumpy and porous texture, is a great place for mold to thrive. If you see mold start to take hold of your concrete surfaces whether on a basement wall, or patio you need to get rid of it immediately. Otherwise, it will spread and be difficult to remove.
Keep reading to find out the best ways to remove mold from concrete.
What Does Mold On Concrete Look Like
Mold on concrete can look like any number of different things. It depends on what classification of mold is growing on the surface of your concrete. It could be white, black or green.
Mold can be harmless or harmful regardless of color, so you should have a professional from Mold Busters visit your property for an expert inspection.
If you mistake black mold for mildew and try to clean it off, you could spread it to the rest of your home. Certain black molds grow in circular formations and are easy to spot however, this is not always the case.
This mold should be treated in the same way as any mold colony growing inside your home.
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How To Clean Mold Under Vinyl Flooring
There really is no easy way to clean mold under vinyl flooring while leaving the flooring intact. The best option is to remove the flooring, treat the concrete, and install new vinyl. You may also need to replace any baseboards and wood trim that has mold.
Before you install new flooring over the concrete, have a plumber check for water leaks. This is the most common reason why mold grows under flooring.
What Makes Mold Grow On Concrete
Mold spores land on the concrete and then the dust, algae, bacteria, and other particles allow the concrete to feed on them and produce the mold. Next, the mold starts to wear away at the concrete, causing it to degrade. It becomes porous and allows more moisture and intrusion.
Unfortunately, concrete loves water and absorbs it like a sponge allowing mold to grow in the right setting. It can also grow after the concrete slabs were poured and they didnt have a good moisture barrier. The mold can also grow if the slab wasnt allowed time to dry when it was poured.
Additionally, mold can be found outside on concrete in an area that is in the shade, damp, and does not get a lot of sun or heat.
Read Also: How To Clean Mold Off Bathroom Ceiling
Concrete Mold Learn The Dangers & How To Prevent It
Any type of household mold can create serious health risks to you and your family. So any time you see mold growing on the surface of concrete, make sure you take immediate action to remedy the situation. But the best way to eliminate mold is through preventing it in the first place. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when dealing with concrete mold.
Can Mold Grow On Concrete
Mold can be harmful to people and their health if it is not taken care of right away. We know that mold can grow on surfaces in the home and sometimes we see it on plants, but can mold grow on concrete?
Sure! Mold can grow anywhere the spores land. You may not think there is nourishment on the concrete for it to grow but there are other factors that indeed help it to grow. Unfortunately, it can deteriorate the concrete and the stability and even allow bacteria in.
Lets take a look at why this is important, what makes mold grow on concrete, what makes the mold grow on concrete, ground water intrusion, installing drains,
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Can Mold Damage My Concrete
Yes. Mold can do serious damage to your concrete if it is allowed to grow and multiply. Most common, mold can leave behind nasty stains that discolor the concrete and are very difficult to remove. While this not always be a big issue, if the concrete is decorative or in a visible location, it can be problematic. More dangerously, the acid that mold produces can degrade concrete over time. If this is allowed to continue, then the structural integrity of the concrete can be severely decreased. This makes things unsafe and could lead to costly damages or repairs down the road.
