How To Get Rid Of Black Mold Safely

Tips To Keep Black Mold Away Longer

• Reduce moisture levels in your home. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, humidity levels in homes should not exceed 60 percent.
• Repair leaks that keep surfaces wet.
• Add a dehumidifier and use heating and air conditioners to help reduce moisture levels.
• Install moisture barriers in basements.
• Clean mold-prone areas regularly to keep black mold growth in check.

Treating Black Mold Poisoning

If you suspect youre suffering from symptoms associated with black mold exposure or poisoning, there are some things you can do to improve your health.

In conclusion, the best way to avoid the negative effects of black mold poisoning is to minimize your black mold exposure.

You can do this by preventing its growth in the first place. If its too late to prevent it and you suspect theres black mold already in your home, dont wait to book removal, completed quickly and efficiently by the industry experts.

Black mold, typically green or black, in your home, can be extremely hazardous to your health.

Mold Prevention Is Key

According to the CDC, there are some preventative measures you can take to battle black mold. The following are some of their suggestions:

• Fix leaks immediately
• Buy a dehumidifier. Maintain moisture levels in your home.
• Buy an air purifier. It can help clean the air and destroy spores.
• Make sure there is adequate ventilation. Use a fan or open the windows to your bathroom or kitchen.

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Danger Of Removing Black Mold By Yourself

• Date: 12-2017

Finding mold growing in your home is a major worry of homeowners, and everyone knows that the problem needs to be handled quickly before a much bigger issue develops. While household mold can come in many forms, few are more worrisome than dreaded black mold. This type of mold, scientifically known Stacybotrys chartarum and Stachybotrys chlorohalonata, can affect homes of any size, in any area of the country. The dangers of black mold come from its toxic spores, which can contribute to a variety of health ailments and greatly reduce the indoor air quality of your living environment.

So, what do you do when you find black mold growing in your familys home?

There is a lot of information out there on DIY methods for black mold removal, but that is rarely a wise idea. Done improperly, removing black mold yourself can exacerbate the problem and put your family at risk, and understanding the hidden dangers of DIY black mold removal is essential for protecting your loved ones for the long term.

How Fast Does Black Mold Spread

Mold begins to grow as soon as its spores land on a damp, fibre-rich material and it can spread around the house within 24 to 48 hours. It colonizes in one to twelve days and grows at one square inch per day. In less than a week, it can cover surface areas of several square feet.

Unfortunately in most cases, mold is widespread and already a big problem before a problem is even suspected by the homeowners.

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When To Call A Professional For Assistance

Under some circumstances, we recommend calling a mold removal professional for assistance, including:

• When black mold covers a large surface area or is found in multiple rooms in the home.
• When there is black mold in or under carpet.
• When there is black mold inside walls.
• When there is black mold in heating ducts.
• If you have been experiencing symptoms of exposure to black mold or have a history of any health problems, including respiratory disorders.

If youre not sure if you need professional assistance, or if you just want some professional advice to help you do the job yourself, you can schedule a free consultation with a mold removal specialist. A specialist will assess your mold problem and let you know what needs to be done and you can decide from there whether or not you can handle the job on your own. Follow this link to find a Mold Removal Professional offering free consultations near you.

Is Black Mold Dangerous

The short answer isnot really. But that doesnt mean you should keep black mold as a pet.

Everyone has different levels of tolerance to allergens like mold spores, but thats all black mold isan allergen.1 Those with asthma, respiratory allergies, or immune suppression will feel the effects of black molds mycotoxins more than most folks.

As one source put it, Previous reports of toxic mold syndrome or toxic black mold have been shown to be no more than media hype and mass hysteria. 2

But whether you feel black mold symptoms or not, its best to get rid of black mold as soon as you find it.

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Tackling The Underlying Cause Of Mold

Molds are all around us we breathe in their spores every day. Its impossible to prevent mold from entering any property, but steps can be taken to stop mold from finding a new home in your house. Without addressing the underlying cause of why mold is growing in a particular area, it will just keep coming back.

Molds only need two things, food and damp. Its impossible to remove the food mold needs from your home, because your property is made of it. Particle board, gypsum, wooden framing, and soft furnishings can all nourish and sustain large mold colonies. What you can control, however, is damp. When mold is discovered, look for the underlying source of water.

There are three common ways that water can cause problem mold growths:

• Maintenance issues such as leaking pipes or failed window seals
• Human error, for example not drying water in shower door tracks or splashing water around a sink
• Construction-related, usually relating to ongoing condensation issues caused by poor airflow

The first two are easy to resolve. Simply repair the problem or change your habits to be more conscious of where water is splashing and pooling. If mold is growing because of the construction of your property, it may require more extensive intervention. Installing fans or vents, replacing portable heaters, or investing in a dehumidifier might be necessary to resolve the problem.

How To Remove Black Mold From Walls With Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a great mold killer, but it can have a bleaching effect. Therefore, this method is best on white areas. For this mold removing method:

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Dangers Associated With Mold

While the Center for Disease control notes health symptoms can be nonspecific, those with breathing and asthma issues can experience a runny nose, coughing, and skin rash along with other severe reactions. If you are immune-compromised or have lung or breathing problems, leave the black mold removal to the professionals.

How To Treat Mold With Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is an antifungal, antiviral, and anti-bacterial solution found in most medicine cabinets, and its an effective mold treatment. You can use it safely on a range of surfaces such as kitchen appliances and counters, bathroom fixtures and tubs, hard flooring, and even certain wall surfaces.

Pour a 3% concentration of hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle. Test an inconspicuous area of surfaces first to prevent discoloration or damage. Saturate the moldy surface and leave it for 10 minutes. Next, scrub the area with just enough force to remove black mold and mold stains. Once the surface is free of residual mold and stains, wipe dry.

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How To Remove Black Mould

Before attempting black mould removal yourself, it is important to take a few safety precautions:

When buying dishwasher tablets, which of these is most important to you?

• Ventilation â make sure the room is well ventilated by opening doors and windows

• Wear robust work gloves – particularly if handling abrasive substances

• Use a face mask – to avoid breathing in fumes

With safety ensured, itâs time to choose your weapon in the battle against black mould. You can buy a highly effective cleaning product that has been designed to clean mould and mildew like Cif Mould remover or products that have bleach as the main ingredient such as Domestos Bleach Spray, to tackle black mould. Whichever product you use, make sure to follow the directions on the label.

Certain products cannot be used on particular surfaces, so make sure that you choose the best product for your needs. Also, be sure not to mix cleaning products. When using products such as bleach, take care to ensure that it is not being used anywhere near food or receptacles containing food or drink and keep children and pets out of the room.

Here is a simple guide to using cleaning products to remove black mould from your home:

• Remove any items from the area that you are cleaning.

• Test the product in a small area first.

• Apply the cleaning product as directed, and leave for the recommended time â this will allow the product to work on black mould.

• Rinse thoroughly and wipe off with a clean cloth.

• Repeat if necessary.

How To Keep Black Mold In Your Bathroom Away

Once youve gotten rid of the mold, youve got to keep it away with regular maintenance. Regularly spraying vinegar on bathroom surfaces and letting it air dry kills mold spores and prevents growth. Make sure theres proper ventilation in the bathroom and install an exhaust fan if you dont have one. If you can, wipe down the shower with a cloth or squeegee after showering. Clean the bathroom weekly using your preferred cleaner and use an antifungal cleaner once a month.

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How To Get Rid Of Black Mold

• Working Time: 15 mins – 2 hrs
• Total Time: 15 mins – 2 hrs

• Skill Level: Intermediate

Mold spores can be found nearly everywhere on earth. But finding black mold is unnerving because of its potential danger, so you want to get rid of black mold as soon as possible. When the spores are exposed to moderate temperatures and moisture, they begin to grow and multiply. Our homes, especially bathrooms and damp basements, can provide nearly ideal environments for mold to thrive.

The good news is that not all mold, even the ones that appear to be black in color, are dangerous. There are three categories of common molds found in households that can have health effects:

• Allergenic molds that can be safely removed by using disinfecting products
• Pathogenic molds that can be controlled with disinfectants
• Toxic molds that require professional treatment and disposal of all affected materials

What has become known as the dangerous black mold is Stachybotrys chartarum, a colony with a dark green or black slimy surface. It is most often found in homes or buildings that have been exposed to excessive amounts of water and humidity for an extended period of time, especially after a flood. S. chartarum produces trichothecenes, a type of mycotoxin. Exposure to S. chartarum could potentially lead to a wide range of respiratory health effects, though this has not yet been proven.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

When killing off black mold, be aware that prevention in the first place is the best strategy. Since mold requires constant moisture to grow, tackle leaks, condensation, and water damage.

Once a month, or every few months, test all the fixtures and drains, says Jake Romano, professional plumber and manager at California-based John The Plumber . Run the faucets and look under the sink. Follow the pipes below. Do the same for the water supplies and appliances.

Make sure you clean gutters, too, say the experts from PuroClean . Water may seep into your home through dirty or damaged gutters, so make sure the gutters are clean and in good shape.

Pay attention to home ventilation as well. Make sure your HVAC vents are not blocked, advises Luke Hamel, owner of Hamels Air Conditioning & Heating . Installation of attic fans, whole-house fans, and dehumidifiers can also help. If you are concerned about preventing mold in the first place, invest in a humidity monitor to ensure humidity levels are low. Knowing when conditions are ripe for mold growth within your home is the first step in prevention. There are lots of ways to stop condensation on windows and around other areas of your home also.

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Seal Moldy Areas After They Dry

• Set out dehumidifiers and new fans to dry the now-cleaned areas for at least three days, then check them by sight and smell for mold.
• Pro tip: If you discover more mold, clean again with bleach for mold remediation.

How To Prevent Bathroom Mold

What all molds have in common is that constant moisture is required for their existence. Thats why the bathroom is a favorable place for them to thrive. Between the sink and the bathtub or shower, somethings always wetbut there are preventative measures you can take to keep mold from growing.

The key to mold prevention is to control moisture. Make sure the bathroom faucets and valves arent leaking, and the drains arent clogged. Having water that drips constantly or pools in an area of your bathroom is the perfect recipe for mold growth. Repair any leaks in the plumbing or walls. You dont want water hanging around any longer than necessary.

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Grout is extremely susceptible to mold growth because its porous and will trap moisture in. Reapply a grout sealer once a year to preempt mold growth.

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Why You Dont Want It In Your Home

Black mould produces mycotoxins which are harmful. Among the many symptoms the most common black mould health problems are:

In areas of high moisture it will have a moist brown/black appearance but in areas where the moisture source has dried up it can be black and powdery in appearance.

How To Get Rid Of Black Mould

The question is, when it comes to killing black mould, whether its toxic or non-toxic, can we really rely on home remedies, or does it need strong stuff, like the specialist sprays on the market?

It all depends on how much black mould youve got in your property, and how long its been growing. If youre a landlord coming back into your property after a long tenancy where the occupiers werent adequately ventilating the bathroom and/ or bedrooms, or a new homeowner doing a renovation of an old property, you may have a heavy case of black mould and need to do a full blitz.

The key is to find and remove the root cause of the mould before you do anything else.

Extreme cases need professionalsSevere cases of mould need to be removed by the experts. This is because disturbing black toxic mould can release millions of dangerous spores into your home.If your mould isnt severe, however perhaps you have only a few patches of non-toxic black mould to fix up you can try a number of easy DIY methods to remove it but make sure you protect yourself whilst you get the job done.

• Baking soda

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How To Get Rid Of Black Mould On Walls

Your trusty old toothbrush or an old washing-up brush can handle any of the aforementioned remedies. Youve just got to wait long enough for your solution to have its antibacterial, antifungal or antiviral effect on the surface, then gently scrub for long enough to remove any physical signs of mould, before wiping over with a damp cloth.

Is It Safe To Live In A House With Black Mold

It isnt healthy to live in a house with black mold. The CDC says: At present, no test exists that proves an association between Stachybotrys chartarum and particular health symptoms. Individuals with persistent symptoms should see their physician. However, if Stachybotrys chartarum or other molds are found in a building they should be removed.

As to how harmful it is, Tim Swackhammer says: This is a question we hear often and it is a tough one as the truth is: it varies. Every person has their own level of sensitivity to molds, and can react differently. Certain groups of people can be especially susceptible to mold, including the very young and very old, those with respiratory issues including asthma, and those with compromised immune systems. While some people have a worse reaction to mold than others, it is important to note, exposure to black mold is not safe for anyone.

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