Can Hardwood Floors Get Mold
Dear Bob and Betsy,
Dear Tracy,
Yes, hardwood floors can get mold. When it does, its dangerous.
Mold poses a major risk to your health. Some types of mold are more dangerous than others. For example, if its black mold, you might want to get a professional cleaner to remove it.
If you are able to remove the mold yourself, its important to do so as quickly as possible. Gather the following materials before you get started.
- Protective gloves, such as rubber, latex, or vinyl
With these materials youll be able to remove the mold off the surface of your hardwood floors.
How Do You Remove Mold From Wood Floors
Mold is a type of fungus that thrives in moist, warm and damp conditions. And unless its a specific type of mold like that found on blue cheese, you wont find anyone whos happy to see it in their house. You may find it on bread, in bathrooms, in kitchens, on floors, and on grout among countless other areas.
Mold usually appears as fuzzy, leathery staining or a discoloration on organic surfaces. It can be hazardous to your health and home when not removed promptly.
Mold can grow anywhere, including your wood floor. In fact, mold can thrive on your wood floor when its not properly cleaned and dried.
Warm temperatures, moisture, and grime on your hardwood floor can provide the perfect home for an enterprising fungus colony.
Regular cleaning, disinfecting your hardwood floors, preventing moisture buildup, and quickly mopping up spills on the surface all greatly help keep mold at bay.
At the same time, these good practices also help preserve the beauty of your floors while adding life to your investment.
Contents
If Necessary Sand The Wood
These cleaning solutions should take care of your mold problem, but if youve got some stubborn traces left under the surface, you have one last resort: sanding.
- Use 100-grit sandpaper to rub out the affected portion, taking care not to sand away too much of the surrounding areas.
- Repeat Step 2 to remove the dust and any loosened mold spores.
You May Like: How To Get Rid Of Mold In Air Conditioner
Remove From Hardwood Floors
Before you begin treating hardwood, you will want to make sure the wood is completely dry. Drying will help you during cleaning and prevent further growth.
If it has penetrated the wood or is deeply engrained in the hardwood, you will want to use a scarping tool or heavy sandpaper to remove it.
If the hardwood hasnât been penetrated, you can use vinegar and water, soap and water, bleach and water or another household solution to kill it. Hardwood can be affected by heavy chemicals, so do be mindful.
Identify The Type Of Mold
When it comes to eliminating mold, theres no one-size-fits-all solution! The treatment varies depending on the type of mold.
So, while using only a dishwashing soap solution may be effective against white mold on wood, it definitely wont be enough if youre dealing with black fungus.
In that case, youll need something much stronger like bleach solution and vinegar or even household cleaners containing ethylene glycol .
So, how to find out exactly what type of mold youre dealing with? While most types of mold are easily recognizable, in some cases, molded growth will have to be sampled and examined to identify the mold species.
Once you know what kind of mold it is, take appropriate steps to clean it and prevent its return. Depending on the type of mold , there are two ways to approach cleaning mold off wood and choosing the right cleaning solution:
- Trial method try multiple cleaning agents. If the mold keeps coming back, try another one.
- Hire professionals to deal with the mold. Contact a local hardware store or pest control company to find out what kind of chemical is best for cleaning the specific type of mold in your home.
Also Check: What Are The Symptoms Of Black Mold Illness
Take Off All Floor Coverings
The first step is to get as much access to the hardwood as possible. If there are wet rugs, mats, furniture, or carpeting, please remove these items immediately to speed up the process.
You can clean these items separately, but the focus now should be on the hardwood surface as it will deteriorate if water continues to seep through.
I have a separate article about carpet cleaning, so check it out on how to properly clean it.
Can I Use Bleach To Kill Mold On Wood
Not only can bleach color wood, but it can also penetrate the wood and only remove surface mold. It is effective in doing that, but it can cause more mold to grow underneath. Avoid using it, for thick, porous wood.
If you feel like bleach is the only thing strong enough to kill the mold on wood, then use it. However, you will need to dilute it to keep it from harming the wood or setting the stage for more mold to grow.
Dry the wood after youve removed the mold. Even if the wood is in the bathroom or kitchen, keeping it dry should be the number one priority.
Also Check: What Is Mold Release Made Of
S To Dealing With Water Damaged Hardwood Floors
You dont need to panic every time someone spills a glass of water on your floors. Clean it up with a towel or paper napkins and you likely wont have to worry about mold growth.
These steps are good guidelines if the spill is something bigger where the potential for mold growth is there, but not so much you have to call in the big guns you can handle it yourself by following these steps.
1. Open Your Windows
Get fresh air circulating through your home to start the drying process. Moisture typically builds up because there is a lack of proper ventilation. However, if the weather is muggy this might not be a good idea because you will introduce more moisture into your home from the outside environment.
Do you live in La Jolla or the Coronado Cays? These places are two of the most notorious places in San Diego for mold issues because of the humidity and moisture in the air. If you live in an area that has a higher rate of humidity than the rest of the county, youre better off with a dehumidifier.
2. Scrub Floors
After you have wiped up the water on the floor scrub affected area with a non-sudsy cleaner. Warm water and white vinegar in a spray bottle is the most effective and natural remedy for this step. You likely already have these items in your home and it will save you a trip & save you from harsh chemicals.
3. Turn Fans on High
4. Meter Test for Moisture
How To Remove Mold Under Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors were once the most popular type of flooring used in North American Homes. As we got deeper into the 20th Century, carpets, tile, linoleum and other types of laminate flooring became increasingly popular.
Now in the 21st Century hardwood floors are enjoying a vigorous renaissance. To the point that a lot of people are tearing out old floor coverings to reveal the hardwood floors that have been waiting for them. Not to mention newer homes that had them installed from day one.
Of course, for all their beauty, the cracks, spaces, and underlayment of hardwood floors can be prone to trapping materials. This is especially true of older hardwood floors that might have minor bows or gaps greater than a millimeter between the boards. When water finds its way into the cracks or down to the underlayment of the hardwood floors it can turn into a prime breeding ground for indoor mold spores.
In a case where the mold problem is severe, and the hardwood flooring is badly damaged by water or mold infestation you might have to completely remove the hardwood floor before installing a new one. If you find yourself staring at a problem like this, you can use the following information to help guide you through the process of removing mold from under your hardwood floors.
Recommended Reading: How Much Does Plastic Injection Molding Cost
Apply The Finish To The Wood Flooring
After all of the affected area has been completely removed and the new flooring has been installed, it will need a coat of wood finish that matches the original. If you cant find an exact match, use the lighter shade so you can darken it later. You can also add a coat of polyurethane finish for extra protection.
Is Wood Mold Dangerous
All mold has the potential to be dangerous. In the case of wood mold, not only can it cause health issues for the occupants of the building but it can also reduce the structural integrity of the wood it is growing on. Wood mold can be particularly dangerous since it is so difficult to see and may go undetected for very long periods of time.
Recommended Reading: Do Mold Bomb Foggers Really Work
Three: Vacuum Out The Loose Spores
Whether your dealing with white mold on your wood floor or the most toxic kind, black mold, its essential to vacuum it first. Vacuuming before cleaning will remove some of the spores that can become airborne and endanger your health.
Make sure to use a vacuum cleaner that has a high-efficiency particulate air filter to avoid spreading any spores. You can also use a wet/dry vacuum to help clean up any remaining moisture.
Surface Mold On Wood Flooring
Occasionally you will notice mold on the surface of wood flooring. If this is a small amount of mold, it can be easily removed and cleaned. Make a solution of one cup of bleach per each gallon of water. Lightly apply the solution using a spray bottle and allow the solution to dwell about 10-15 minutes. Then gently wipe using a sponge or soft cloth. When you are done wiping, be sure to discard the cloth or sponge. Dont leave the contaminated cloth or sponge lying around your home. Make sure that all of the solution is removed and that the treated area is allowed to dry completely. Other products that you may use instead of bleach are white vinegar, soap and water, or concrobium mold cleaner. Be sure to protect yourself by wearing a mask or respirator, as well as chemical resistant gloves and clothing .
If the mold problem is larger, or doesnt respond to attempts to wipe it off, sanding may be required. At this point you have a much more costly problem that will probably result in sanding and refinishing the entire floor.
You May Like: How To Remove Black Mold Stains
Pick The Right Cleaning Solution
After getting all the required equipment, its time to think about which cleaning solutions would be ideal for your situation.
If you wonder how to kill mold on wood and what kind of chemical you should use for this, there are a few things to take into consideration:
- The type of fungus
- The type of wood youre treating
- How big the affected area is
- How deep the fungus has penetrated the wood
Signs Of Mold Under A Hardwood Floor
If your wood floor has just a little mold growing on top, you can clean it and keep using it. But if the mold has penetrated deep into the flooring and subflooring, you have a much bigger problem on your hands.
First, inspect the wood for serious warping. If there are larger-than-usual gaps between planks or if the boards are curling up at the edges , you have significant water damage.
You can find out how deep the mold goes by checking to see if the wood is still solid. Take a flat screwdriver and try to press it into a board in the moldy area.
If you cant press the screwdriver into the wood, it is probably still dry and clean below the surface. But if the wood is soft like a sponge and you can push the screwdriver deep into it, the wood is bad. Water and mold have penetrated deep into the floor.
If your floor fails the screwdriver test, you should call a flooring or cleanup professional to evaluate the leak and see how deep the moisture has spread.
Deep seeping moisture with mold will probably require that you completely replace the flooring in the area, and it may even be necessary to replace the subfloor materials.
You May Like: How Can I Get Rid Of Mold In My House
Are My Hardwood Floors Ruined After Water Damage
Hardwood floors are tricky and they are vulnerable to becoming water damaged. If your water damage needs to be looked at by a professional due to the size and gravity of the situation, knowing which service & company to rely on might help you save your floors.
There are a few things that factor into whether or not your floors are salvageable. Know them to know if your hardwood floors can be dried in place.
Water damage can be devastating to hardwood floors and if the job is not done quickly or is done inadequately your floors may need to be replaced.
1. Response Time
Mold can grow in as little as 48-72 hours on almost all household material if the moisture level is 16% or higher. Be quick to call a professional to help dont put it off until later.
2. Type of Wood
Not all wood is created equal and it is important that you do not confuse laminate floors with the real thing. Laminate floors are even more vulnerable to damage and there is little that can be done to help solve the warped moldy mess that has been created by water damage.
3. Amount of Moisture
It is normal for there to be moisture present in hardwood floors. Normal levels of moisture in hardwood floors fluctuates up to 12%. However, a flood can bring those levels to a whopping 40% or higher! When this happens there needs to be some sort of intervention and the best thing youll do is call a professional to handle it.
4. Degree of Damage
Dry Out The Affected Area With Fans And Heaters
The first step in removing mold is removing its source: the moisture. Set up a room fan or turn on the overhead fan or furnace to allow air to flow through the area and evaporate the moisture. Just be sure to not place them directly in front of the mold as it will only irritate the fungus more. Allow them to run for 3 5 hours.
- Keep in mind that increased air flow will prevent future mold growth.
- Do not begin cleaning the area until it is completely dry.
Recommended Reading: How To Wipe Off Mold
How To Remove Mold From Flooring
Depending on the flooring material, you can use at-home removal remedies to kill and remove it from affected surfaces.
You will want to be very careful, as breathing in spores can be hazardous to your health. Since you will be working with both chemicals and moldy surfaces, it is best to wear gloves, a mask, and safety glasses.
When finished, always be sure to put washables immediately in the washer to not spread any spores that may have gotten on your clothing.
Causes Of Mold Under Hardwood Floors
Mold grows on organic materials that are in environments with trapped moisture or high humidity. This implies that hardwood floors are susceptible to mold growth beneath them in a case of flood or water damage.
Water damage does not have to be extreme before mold can grow. Unfortunately, you cannot do without spilling water on your hardwood floor in your home, as regular activities go on.
However, the best preventive measure is to avoid water on your hardwood floor for an extended period of time. This can be achieved with the aid of a Steam Mop or a Vacuum Cleaner.
You must mop and dry the water out immediately it spills to avoid white spots on hardwood floor.
Walking on your hardwood floor wet after a shower or from the pool, spilling from your pets water bowl and splashing water from your sink are scenarios that can trigger mold growth if unattended to.
At times, you can have too much moisture in your home without even noticing it. You can have mold spores and not have an idea of how they formed there. Also, there can be a leak in your home that you dont know of.
Mold can be formed as a result of a defective water pipe, an open window bringing in humidity or a water heater leaking from the bottom. The dampest part of a house is usually the basement area. Basements are the part of a house that is likely to be flooded.
Read:Best Mop for Hardwood Floors
Read Also: How Can You Tell If You Have Toxic Black Mold
How To Clean Surface Mold From Wood Floors
While surface mold is not difficult to clean, it is crucial to ensure that all affected areas are cleaned properly to ensure that the fungus does not return in the future. When applying the cleaning solution, spray the bleach cleaner directly on the affected surface, allowing it to sit for 10 minutes. Afterwards, wipe the mold away with an old rag and throw it away when you are done.
If the mold is still present, you can use a scrub brush with strong bristles to remove the stubborn stains. Just remember throughout the process to avoid rubbing the cleaner into unaffected areas of the wood as it will ruin the finish. Finally, you will want to make sure that all of the solution is rinsed properly before moving onto the next step as it will compromise the finish after it is applied.
