Are There Any Natural Remedies For Removing Mold
If you’re looking for a natural solution to remove mold, one of the below options will work. Keep in mind, though, that they may take more time than bleach and may not remove stains:
- Hydrogen peroxide: Grab a spray bottle and pour 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide into the bottle. Spray the affected area, let it sit for 10 minutes, and then scrub the mold away.
- Vinegar: Pour undiluted vinegar into a spray bottle and spray the moldy area. Let it sit for an hour and then wipe the area clean with water and allow it to dry.
Seal Off The Crawl Space
Some basements have crawl spaces in them. These are small areas that may appear as a hole in the wall, leading into the dirt under a particular part of the home.
Since they usually are not sealed off, any moisture that comes from frost melting during the spring or gutter leaks permeates through the layers of soil and down into this space.
You have a couple of options if your crawl space is part of the problem leading to the musty smell. You may waterproof the crawl space to keep moisture from collecting right next to the basement walls.
Consider sealing off the crawl space as well. Depending on the entrance size, this is quite simple as long as the walls are waterproofed around the entryway.
Sealing off the crawl space doesnt mean restricting access to the space. It might be as simple as putting a smaller door into the area. Doing this stops moisture in the air from raising the humidity levels in the basement, becoming a harbor for mold.
Eliminate Basement Mold With Grapefruit Seed Extract
Grapefruit Seed Extract: An advantageous of grapefruit seed extract is that not only will it remove mold, but it can also be used as mold prevention.
To remove mold with grapefruit seed extract, combine the extract with water and apply to the surface where the mold is. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes and then wipe off.
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How Do You Get Rid Of Mold In The Basement
Mold can develop any place. It loves damp, humid, and dark environments. Mold in a basement is a common problem and can occur due to the build-up of moisture in your house. It also has a connection with underground basements. You need to manage the presence of dark, green, yellow, or white mold in the basements before it spread to other areas of your house.
If you find mold on furniture or rugs, its best to completely eliminate and replace them instead of attempting to save them.
Basement mold elimination is something to be left in the hands of experts, particularly in case there is already an infestation. To find out how to eliminate mold from concrete basement walls, keep reading.
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Tips For Preventing Mold Growth
The biggest threat that contributes to mold growth is an excess of moisture. To prevent mold from growing in your basement take these steps to maintain your space.
If you can, leave the dehumidifier in your basement or crawl space to consistently maintain the air and climate quality. These are especially useful and recommended if your space does not have any windows or means of proper ventilation.
Insulate your pipes. Hire a plumber or contract a professional to properly insulate your pipes that were leaking or sustained damage. Its also a good idea to insulate the walls and around windows if your basement has any. This will help minimize condensation from occurring.
Keep the space maintained. Make a habit of checking out the basement a little more often to inspect for any potential problems such as leaks. Inspect appliances periodically and have them maintenance once or twice a year for best results.
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Will Bleach Or Vinegar Kill Mold On Concrete
Technically, yes. Bleach or vinegar can kill the mold organism. However, its not enough to kill it. It needs to be removed from your home. Just washing the area with a solution does not effectively do the right job.
The dead mold spores can still cause sicknesses, and while trying to clean the mold with solution, you can spread spores to other areas before they are killed, causing more colonies to form. Remediation by a Mold Busters professional team is the correct way to remove and kill mold in your home.
How To Get Rid Of Basement Mold
There are numerous ways to get rid of mold in your home and basement. However, before you start clearing out the mold, make sure you fix the real problem as the mold growth is only a symptom of an underlying problem. This could mean fixing a leak, ensuring that the basement has proper ventilation, and checking that any standing water has dried.
Here are several methods you can use to remove mold from your home and basement.
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How To Get Rid Of Mold In Walls
If the wall is made from a non-porous surface, such as finished wood or stone, it must be thoroughly dried. A dehumidifier, proper ventilation or a wet vacuum can be used. Then, a damp wipe down of the area should remove most of the mold. Cleaning products designed for mold removal are helpful, however it is not necessary to bleach moldy areas or use other biocides. If the wall is made from a porous material such as gypsum drywall, wallpaper or unfinished wood, it is not possible to remove all of the mold from the tiny nooks and holes in the wall. The affected section of the wall must be cut out and replaced. This can be very expensive. However, the mold will almost certainly come back otherwise.
Finish the mold removal by using a vacuum with a HEPA filter. A non-HEPA vacuum may not contain the mold spores and can actually spread them into the air. Vacuum the entire area and surrounding areas, even if no mold is visible.
Do not just paint or caulk over mold without removing it. According to the EPA, this will cause the paint to flake and peel, and when the paint comes off, you will still have mold on the wall.
Removing Mold From Wood
Removing mold from wood is easy if it has not spread far and wide. Before starting, put on your protective wear, especially a mask and gloves. First, vacuum up the area with the mold. This will suck up any loose spores on the surface of the wood. Next, scrub the area with soap and water. On bare, untreated or unpainted wood, you can use bleach. Soak up any cleaner and extra moisture.
If mold is still apparent in the wood, you can try to sand it out. Note that sanding will take off any finish and some of the wood. Since mold can live deep in the pores of wood, you may need to do a lot of sanding to fully remove it.
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I Live In A Condo With Concrete Ceilings And A Flat Roof I Get Mold Along The Exterior Edge Of My Ceiling Whats The Best Way To Prevent This
The simplest option is to increase the temperature and outside ventilation of this condo. Typically this is accomplished by running the bathroom exhaust fan 24/7. Our humidity page has an in-depth explanation of the approach. If you dont have a working bathroom fan, youll have to find another way to introduce fresh air into the condo. Keeping a window cracked is an option, but can be uncomfortable during very cold weather.
What You Need To Know About Mold From Basement Flooding
The first thing you need to check for after a flooded basement is mold and fungus growth. Not only can mold cause serious health issues for you and your entire family, but if you let it get out of control and invade your home it can be incredibly difficult to get rid of.
The best way to prevent mold is to avoid leaks, floods and humid and musty air.
Its important to educate yourself about what mold and mildew is, where it grows, why it grows and how you can prevent it from growing in your home and basement.
If you do however find mold in your home you also need to know how to get rid of it effectively, how to sanitize your home properly and protect your home from future growth.
Weve put together a comprehensive guide to help you understand mold and mildew and how you can prevent it from invading your home.
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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.
How To Get Rid Of That Musty Basement Smell
Friday, August 6th
Identify the cause behind your musty-smelling basement and find out what you can do to eliminate the foul odors for good.
Most musty basement smells are a symptom of a mold or mildew problem caused by excessive moisture.
That unmistakable musty smell, often described as being similar to that of a pair of wet socks or a wet dog, is the signature scent of mold and/or mildew. Most basements are damp and dark – ideal conditions for these fungi to thrive. Not only can their musty odor make its way up into the rest of your home, but mold spores can also cause allergy symptoms and structural problems.
If your basement smells musty after rain, when the weather is humid, or all the time, simply removing the odor wont eliminate the problem. The first step to getting rid of the musty smell in your basement is identifying the source. Most of the time, the smell is a symptom of a mold or mildew problem caused by moisture. This guide will help you identify whats making your basement smell musty and outline solutions for getting rid of the odors for good.
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Products And Tools Youll Need To Get Rid Of Mold In Basement Areas
- Dusk mask or respirator: You dont need a medical-grade mask or a professional reusable respirator, but some sort of mask will protect you from the damaging effects of mold while working around it.
- Eye protection: When disturbing mold spores during cleaning or simply using harsh chemicals like bleach, youll want to keep your eyes protected.
- Disposable gloves: Handling mold and moldy material is reason enough to wear gloves, but it can also protect your skin from irritation when using cleaning products.
- Stiff-bristled brush: To effectively remove mold stains on porous or rough surfaces, you will need a brush that can scrub away mold without the bristles collapsing.
- Sponge: On softer or smoother surfaces, a disposable sponge may be all thats needed to stop mold spots from becoming more significant problems.
- Mold stain remover: Though not essential for actually removing mold, youll likely find a dark stain on the material that the mold was growing on and youll want a product to remove it. Plus, removing the old stains can make sure that you recognize new mold growth later.
- Bleach: A solution of 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water is enough to kill mold on surfaces, according to the CDC.
- Cleaning bucket with measuring marks: Ensure the right measurements for your bleach solution with a good cleaning bucket.
- Spray bottles: Whether for bleach or one of the more natural solutions discussed below, a spray bottle will help you treat mold spots.
Using Bleach For Mold Removal
Chlorine bleach is a common household cleaner many people have on-hand and it is commonly used for cleaning mold and mildew. There are a couple of things you need to understand first about using bleach for mold removal. This home-made solution will work but is recommended ONLY on non-porous surfaces such as glass, tile, shower doors, etc. It is not recommended on surfaces such as drywall or wood as it can not kill mold completely in these materials.
Bleach does not kill all types of mold so if you are planning on using this as a solution its important to identify the type of strain youre dealing with. If you suffer from a respiratory condition such as asthma, using bleach as a cleaning solution can exacerbate breathing problems. Do not mix bleach with other combinations of cleaners as this can create toxic gases when mixed together.
Oxygen bleach is a better alternative at killing mold in an environmentally friendly composition. This form of bleach typically comes in a powder form which you mix with water then breaks down into hydrogen peroxide and sodium carbonate. It effectively kills mold and bacteria while also working as a good deodorizer.
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How To Kill Mold In Basements
- Spray mold-killing chemicals on surfaces affected by mold. Wear gloves, mask, and proper clothing when handling chemical products.
- Remove items that are heavily infested by mold. Discard them immediately. For objects that can still be recovered, make sure you clean them thoroughly.
- Dry the surfaces. Ensure proper ventilation after cleaning the mold to ensure it doesnt grow back. Use air movers, fans, or simply open doors and windows to facilitate faster drying of your basement.
Removing Mold From Cinder Block Walls With Borax
Borax is a trustworthy and effective cleaner thats well-known for its cleansing and deodorizing properties. Since Borax inhibits mold growth, its an excellent cleaning solution for removing mold from cinder block walls and other large areas. You dont even need to clean it off when youre finished.
- Scrub brush or bristle brush
Before you use one of our ways to clean cement of mold or mildew, vacuum all your moldy surfaces with a HEPA-certified vacuum minimize the number of spores that end up airborne. Mix the Borax and water in a bucket to create your cleaning solution.
Scrub any moldy surfaces thoroughly and remove visible mold particles. Let the Borax solution sit on the surface for a little while if you dont wash it off, it will inhibit future mold growth. Use this solution to stop moss from growing on bricks outside, too.
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How Serious Is Mold In A Basement
Mold in the basement is a huge concern for your health. The CDC says that all mold can cause damage to the lungs and respiratory system. You should remove any sign of mold immediately. That said, the danger level rises for people with allergies, asthma, sensitivities, and other health conditions.
Mold infects your:
- Plug holes to prevent water flow
- Use caulking to seal windows, window wells, and doors
- Seal the foundation to avoid flooding
- Paint the basement walls with a mold inhibitor in the paint
- Direct rain runoff away from your home
- Regularly clean your basement
If you had a mold outbreak in the past, you should check the area frequently. Mold can grow back if you miss even a single spore. Clean any wet patches or leaks immediately, and use a preventative spray if you know your mold problem has occured. Insulate pipes, open windows, and install a dehumidifier if the moisture remains a problem.
Finally, you can take steps to waterproof your basement. Waterproofing solutions can prevent mold spores from thriving and even prevent long-term foundation and basement damage. Try a masonry waterproofing product on basement walls. Avoiding carpet in an unfinished basement, especially if its prone to flooding, is another helpful tip.
Is Mold On Concrete Dangerous
As with any mold, mold on concrete can be dangerous to your health. If the mold colony is growing inside your home, professional remediation needs to be performed as not to spread the mold spores to other places in the home.
The risks of having mold growing on your concrete surfaces are twofold. The first risk of having mold in your building or home is health concerns. Mold causes a variety of sicknesses and illnesses if you come in contact with it. Therefore, having it removed the correct way is essential to the health of your dwelling.
Mold Busters will provide all of your needed inspection and remediation services to ensure that your home is 100 percent safe while the remediation is being completed.
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Clean The Air With Baking Soda
Baking soda may be used to clean almost anything. This is also true when trying to clean moldy smells out of a basement. Similar to the way that cat litter functions, it absorbs overpowering smells, pulling them out of the air.
- Several containers
Do the same thing with the baking soda that you did with the cat litter. Pour a couple of inches of baking soda into the bottom of the containers and set them out to soak up the scents. Change them out intermittently until all of the adverse smells in the air are gone.
