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.
Cleaning Black Colored Mold
Dont panic. Let me share the facts according to the Center for Disease Control & Prevention :
At present there is no test 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, prudent practice recommends that they be removed.
Basically, any mold can make otherwise healthy people have hay fever like symptoms. People that already have immune system issues or breathing difficulties can experience increased symptoms. My rule of thumb is: if you see any kind of mold get busy and clen it up.
There are fairly simple, inexpensive and effective ways to get rid of all colors of mold for good, providing that it is found in the early stages.
What Causes Black Mold On Concrete
Mold can grow on concrete for a number of reasons. Like other types of mold, black mold grows in areas where the conditions are right for them. Black mold will grow on surfaces with high moisture, which may be due to leaks in windows, roofs, pipes, and water tanks. The spores of black mold are transferred from one place to another through wind, animals, or water sources. If a wet concrete surface is exposed to black mold, the mold will thrive. Black mold reproduces quickly, and a small patch of it can multiply within a short time. This means that your concrete surface could be covered in black mold within a short time.
If the concrete is in a basement, the black mold may be caused by a leak from outside or faulty plumbing. Homes with high humidity also tend to have problems with mould growing on surfaces as well. Outdoor concrete, such as a patio, usually grows mildew when it doesnt dry completely after its been soaked. This is typical of concrete thats well shaded.
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Will Vinegar Remove Mold From Concrete
Yes, cleaning concrete with vinegar will remove mold from concrete. In fact, vinegar removes mold from concrete better than bleach. Bleach will only remove the top layer of mold, causing the mold to return. This will make the mold that returns come back even stronger. Would you believe it? Heres how vinegar kills mold.
Most molds die when they encounter vinegar. It may not kill every mold out there but give it a try. Its highly likely that vinegar will kill the type of mold youre looking to get rid of.
Vinegar can even prevent new mold from growing. You can use distilled white vinegar or cleaning vinegar to kill mold. Do not use natural vinegar to kill mold, like apple cider vinegar, because they harbor trace amounts of bacteria.
Heres how you use it. Before you begin, get a mask, gloves, and face shield. Spores from mold spread very readily, and you dont know what youre dealing with. In fact, many people hire professionals because cleaning mold from concrete can be a dangerous task. If you are careful and the area is not too large, you can do it yourself.
If the mold is no more than ten feet in length, then put some undiluted distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle and saturate the surface of your concrete with the vinegar spray. Let the surface sit for 60 minutes or one hour. Wipe away the mold. This is twice the amount of time you would typically let the vinegar sit on the surface, so be prepared for some mild damage.
Preventing Future Mold Growth
You should seal the concrete with a good-quality acrylic sealer designed for exterior use. Let the concrete dry at least 2 or 3 days in rain-free, sunny conditions before sealing. I recommend using a low-solids solvent-based sealer to allow for better breathability, especially considering the warm, humid exposure conditions. Read my article Driveway Sealer for Concrete to learn more about choosing and applying sealer.
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Scrub The Mold With A Mixture Of Water And Bleach
Now you will want to know, what kills mold? Will bleach help in killing mold? Bleach is the ultimate solution to remove mold. But only bleach might not be enough.
Take an amount of bleach and mix it with water. Then take a scrub brush and scrub the moldy area.
Make sure youre wearing safety glasses to prevent any splashes from the scrubbing.
Dip the scrub brush in the mold and clean the concrete wall. After the mold is gone, you must rinse the area with clean water.
How To Get Rid Of Mold On Concrete With Special Mold Removers Or Fungicides
This is one of the simplest yet most effective methods to get rid of mold from concrete. However, it is important to have the right product.
Things you will need
- Follow the manufacturers instructions.
Explanation
Using special products or fungicides is highly effective, since such agents are generally tested and approved. In addition, they are mostly easy to use and some even do not require vigorous scrubbing or too much elbow grease. However, there are plenty of products in the market, and not all are equal. Some can kill mold and their spores, some cannot, and some are highly effective in cleaning the stain behind molds and mildew. Thereby, it is important to select an approved high quality product, and follow the manufacturers instructions for the use and safety precautions.
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What Causes Mold And Mildew In The Basement
Metal objects start rusting. Furniture, carpeting, and clothing show signs of mold and mildew. Condensation occurs when moisture-laden warm air strikes a cold, dry surface, such as a basement wall or window. A similar thing happens with cold water passing through copper pipes, as the metal pipe is usually much colder than the surrounding air.
My House Was Flooded From A Broken Water Pipe Resulting From A Freeze Is The White Snow Like Substance On Concrete Mold Or The Beginning Of Mold And Ive Been Putting Rubber Mats On The Floor So That I Dont Have To Walk On The Huge Amounts Of Dust From Replacing Drywall Please Tell Me How I Should Be Handling This Situation Ive Also Been Rnning Fans Thinking I Was Drying Out The Surface Of Concrete But I Turned Off The Fans After Reading The Fema Pamphlet
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.
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Clean Walls Clean Home
If you notice signs of mold growth on the walls of your home, youll need to take action before it spreads. It can potentially cause health and structural problems to your property.
The most important thing to do is fix the problems source to prevent mold growth. Then, depending on the size of the affected area, you can either clean the mold yourself or hire a professional.
Removing small patches of mold yourself is relatively easy. You can use readily available products such as borax, vinegar, baking soda, tea tree oil, bleach, and hydrogen peroxide. But, if mold covers a substantial area of a wall, you should seek expert help immediately.
How To Clean Tough Stains From Your Concrete Patio
You can purchase several efficient concrete cleansers, but many contain strong acids and harsh chemicals that harm or kill nearby grass.
Instead, clean the dirt, moss, or mildew from your patio or concrete pathway using the right tools and safe cleansers.
You can also spray the area using a power washer on low, although keep the pressure washer spray away from nearby plants and grass as you could damage them.
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Liquid Laundry Detergent And Household Bleach
To clean mold off concrete, begin by cleaning the concrete surface with a hose, removing as much black mold as possible. If the concrete is located indoors, use a sponge to scrub away the mold. A scraper is also an effective tool for removing the mold from concrete.
Keep in mind that though these methods are effective, physically scrubbing or scraping the mold away will not remove the root, which is embedded inside the porous concrete. If the root is still intact, the mold will simply grow back.
Killing mold beneath the concretes surface requires cleaners that can penetrate the concrete. While bleach is effective and kills mold, its surface tension does not make it ideal for soaking concrete. Laundry detergent is a better option.
Create a cleaning solution by mixing a cup of laundry detergent with a gallon of water. Use a sponge or brush to apply the solution to the floor. The detergent will soak into the concretes pores, killing the black molds roots.
Use a scrub brush to ensure the solution penetrates the concrete and to remove the molds roots. When complete, rinse off the concrete with clean water. If outdoors, use a hose. If inside, use a mop.
Repeat this process if any mold is still present. Dry the concrete with a fan until it is completely dry.
Why Does Mold Grow On Concrete
Two main reasons trigger mold growth: moisture and food. The dust particles and other organic material on the wall can act as a nutrient source for molds and mildew. If your house is often cleaned and there is only a minimal amount of dust in the atmosphere, it lowers the risk of mold growth.
On the other hand, moisture is harder to deal with. There are two ways in how it can foster molds in your concrete block walls.
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We Recently Had A Concrete Shower Installed 30
Yes, this looks like light mold growth. While this may be aesthetically unpleasant, its not likely affecting the indoor air quality. Concrete can be surprisingly porous, depending on how it cured. This porosity allows water to penetrate and can lead to mold growth. Prevention is best achieved by treating the concrete with a penetrating sealer. Note this should be done relatively soon, as the concrete loses its ability to absorb the sealant over time.
Cleaning Mold On Basement Walls
Basements are usually dark areas, with poor ventilation, and tend to have higher than normal humidity. Under these favorable living conditions, mold will grow rapidly and thrive. Mold can come in a variety of colors, from black to white, and from blue to green. Molds color and type are not too important. What is important is getting rid of it. Successful cleaning of mold on basement walls can be difficult unless the causes allowing for mold growth are first addressed. Foundation leaks, caused by years of wear and cracks in walls and floors, along with condensation on plumbing and HVAC pipes and vents, tend to help maintain humidity levels that are higher than those normally found in above ground areas of the home. Another reason that cleaning mold on basement walls is difficult is due to the porous, rough surface of concrete. Its hard to reach deep into all the tiny crevices and pores.
When you see mold on basement walls, the mold is not growing on the concrete or the concrete blocks. Mold cannot eat concrete because concrete is not an organic substance. Organics, along with moisture, are some of molds requirements to grow to survive. Usually the mold is growing on dirt and dust or paint and wall coverings that contain organic components. Many paints are latex-based and latex is an organic compound.
Note: This article discusses how to remove mold on concrete walls. If you have mold on other surfaces like sheetrock or wood, read our mold removal guide.
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Is Black Mold On Concrete Dangerous
Yes, mold on your concrete surfaces can be dangerous. When exposed to large amounts of black mold, some people develop allergic reactions or asthma. People who are not allergic to mold can also experience irritation in their eyes, nose, skin, lungs, throat, or skin. People who are allergic to mold experience symptoms such as a running nose, prolonged sneezing, skin rashes, and red eyes when exposed to it. If one has a severe allergy to mold, he or she might experience severe reactions such as a shortness of breath, and this can be fatal. In some instances, people who have asthma and have developed mold allergy are likely to experience asthma attacks when exposed to mold.
How To Clean Mold On Outdoor Concrete
Cleaning and disinfecting mold-covered concrete is a fairly simple process and there are a few ways to do it. Cleaning outdoor concrete is the simplest because you can use a garden hose to finish the job. Create a cleaning solutions and pour it on the surface. Scrub and clean in a circular motion to clean like an expert. Spray down to finish the job. Voilà, all mold removed. Follow our detailed 4 steps removal guide below for the best result and lasting effect.
- Step 1: Create a cleaning solutionTo begin youll need to create a cleaning solution thats effective at black mold removal. Use a bucket to mix one-half cup of bleach diluted with one gallon on water. This amount of solution can treat an area about five square feet. If you need to clean a larger area simply double the solution.
- Step 2: Pour and waitSimply pour the bleach solution onto the entire affected area and allow it to set for about fifteen minutes. This gives the bleach time to kill the black mould completely.
- Step 3: Tedious for the bestNow make a more concentrated solution with one cup of bleach with one gallon of water. Use a wire scrub brush to scrub the concrete in a circular motion. Although a bit tedious, this will make sure the mildew is completely removed from the surface of the concrete.
- Step 4: Spray down to finish the jobFrom here you simply use a hose to spray down the affected area, removing the cleaning solution from the surface.
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What Can You Do To Prevent Mold In A Basement
To prevent mold from reoccurring or growing at all, you can take the following steps:
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.
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