We Just Purchased Our Home Three Months Ago And Recently We Discovered These Discolored Areas In Our Garage Should We Be Worried Should We Be Seeking Some Type Of Environmental Remediation
Its difficult to determine from the photo whether this is mold or efflorescence. An easy way to distinguish between the two is by flicking a bit of water on the surface. Efflorescence will dissolve in water, mold will just mat down a bit.
Either way, it likely indicates vapor emissions moving through the concrete. You can verify this by taping a piece of plastic to the concrete. Recheck this in a few days. If you find condensation on the backside of the plastic, you have a vapor emissions issue.
In a garage this is not a problem, as long as you keep sensitive items off the floor. The vapor will eventually evaporate from the surface. Do not install carpeting on any concrete showing signs of vapor emissions! This will lead to major mold problems.
Why Should You Clean Your Basement Walls
Its important to keep your concrete walls clean because theyre so porous. Surface layer dirt, grime, mold, grease, mildew, etc. can eventually work there way into pores and cracks where they can become a more serious problem. Organic material can eventually breed and feed mold spores which can quickly spread to more than just your walls. Mold working its way into heating an air ducts can become a health concern for an entire household. Keep the walls clean can cut down on this risk.
The first step to caring for concrete walls is keeping the surface clean. If the surface of your concrete basement walls are clean, its easy to spot problem areas. For starters, wipe or vacuum them down. You dont have to do it regularly. Once a year can be more than enough.
Inspect the basement for water and moisture on the walls. If it feels damp or smells musty, the humidity is probably too high and you need airflow. Concrete basement walls should always be kept dry inside and out.
Surface water is another issue. All around your concrete walls should be drainage and a sealant. Water can eventually work its way right through a concrete foundation wall and into your basement. This has to be prevented from the outside.
Remove dust and filth from the walls. Even common particles can contain organic material that can feed mold.
Is It Possible To Get Black Mold Out Of Concrete
While cleaning the active growth from the concrete is relatively straightforward, some staining will often remain. This is especially true when dealing with black mold growth. The pigment left behind by the growth can be difficult to remove. Its important to remember, this staining is not a health hazard, nor can it regrow.
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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 Prevent Mold On Concrete Floors In The Future
Even though you know how to remove mold from concrete, you dont want to have to do it again. Thats why you need to take the proper steps to prevent mold from resurfacing.
If you can, keep the affected area dry with direct sunlight. This might mean you have to prune some trees or move patio furniture.
Add proper ventilation to keep the area from collecting moisture. If you need to, create a drain or drainage pathway to avoid standing water.
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Tips For Preventing Mold Growth
The best way to fight mold is to prevent it from growing in the first place. Keep your bathrooms, kitchen, basement, storage rooms and other areas of your home well ventilated. Humidity levels in your home should be no higher than 50 percent. Here are some things you can do to reduce the moisture and keep your home mold-free.
- Fix leaky faucets, showers or household appliances that use water
- Vent bathrooms, clothes dryers and other moisture-generating sources to the outside
- Use air conditioners and de-humidifiers
- Use exhaust fans whenever cooking, cleaning and bathing and run ventilation fans for at least 10 minutes after taking a shower or finishing cooking.
- Fix leaks in your home’s roof or walls. Clean out gutters to prevent leaking.
- Clean bathrooms and dry completely
- Remove or replace carpets in rooms like bathrooms or basements that have a lot of moisture
- Check windows for condensation and keep them clean and dry
Should You Paint Over Mold On Concrete
Painting over mold is never a good idea on any surface. You will spread mold spores while introducing more moisture into the colony, providing further growth. It will look as if it was covered for a few days, and afterward, it will return to an area bigger than before it was painted. Remediation is the correct way to get rid of mold on concrete.
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Use Hydrogen Peroxide To Clean Mold
Another great cleanser for mold is hydrogen peroxide. In this one cleaner, you get a bactericide, virucide, and fungicide.
Hydrogen Peroxide is a versatile and generally safe cleaner that has dozens of uses around the home. Its a great disinfectant because it destroys almost all bacteria, including mold.
Youll need the following items:
- A spray bottle
- Water
To kill the mold on your concrete wall:
Its very important whenever your cleaning mold off a concrete wall that you get deep inside the pores. Whether youre using Hydrogen Peroxide, Bleach, Ammonia, Vinegar, or some other cleanser, saturate the wall and let it sit. The solution will slowly soak into the concretes pores which will kill deep mold spores. If all you do is clean the surface, mold can grow back.
I Found A Hard Black Coating Under Painted Concrete In My Basement If After Cleaning Can I Paint Over It It Did Not All Scrub Up Does Mold Get Imbedded In The Cement
Based on your description, this does not sound like mold. On concrete, mold will appear in either a fuzzy format or a stain like appearance. It would not feel like a hard coating. In either scenario, it is fine to paint the concrete after youve thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned the area. Anything remaining is simply the pigment from the prior mold growth, which cannot regrow.
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Mold Needs A High Amount Of Moisture To Grow So Anywhere That Fits That Bill Is A Good Place To Look
How to identify black mold on concrete. If you find signs of or suspect mold in any of these areas, purchase a mold test kit. When you find the mold, determine if it is growing in a circular pattern. Its a natural part of the air in any home.
Only mold grows on concrete blocks, so identifying mold is simple. In general, you can identify black mold from its smell and look. We have all heard the horror stories on the side effects and how hard it can be to get rid of.
Its common to see mold on walls in moist, warm areas with poor ventilation, such as bathrooms and basements, but mold can grow anywhere in the right conditions. If its black mold growth, it is easy to identify. Is black mold on my walls bad?
For instance, you may notice a dark, furry growth or what appears to be a black stain, or there could be white, orange, brown, and even green specks. Mildew may begin as white, then turn brown or gray. In fact, mold can be present on surfaces and in the air without being noticeable, because the mold spores are microscopic and thus cannot be seen with the naked eye.
When you see mold on your drywall, you likely have one of these two problems: With its porous nature, drywall is one of black molds favorite surfaces on which to grow. It grows in dark, unventilated areas on floors, walls and ceilings, and it can also grow inside drywall, on wood framing and in other places where you can’t see it.
Homemade Stepping Stones Homemade stepping stones
Hydrochloric Acid Can Remove Rust Stains
Hydrochloric acid is a great way to remove rust stains from a concrete wall. And just about any other type of stain too. Be careful when working with acids because they can be harmful and smells bad. So make sue the area is really well ventilated. Where the appropriate safety equipment like goggles, a mask and gloves.
To make a concrete cleaner with hydrochloric acid, do the following:
When working with hydrochloric acid, wear safety equipment. I recommend goggles, gloves and a mask. Make sure the basement is well ventilated.
Check the product label for warnings about compounds that react badly with acid.
I recommend using acids as a last resort. Try soap and water first and then work your way up to harsher cleansers and acids. Even if mild solutions don t work, theyll clean the surface level stains off your concrete walls. Then youll only have to use harsher cleaners in small doses. This will greatly limit your risk and exposure.
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Eliminating Green Mold From Concrete Steps
Q: The concrete steps at my house are moldy and kind of green on the risers, except where I applied a concrete sealer. I did it badly, so you can see areas that look like drips. How can I safely clean the concrete?
Hyattsville, Md.
A: When you ask for a way to safely clean concrete, you dont say whether your goal is to protect the concrete, yourself or your plants. Luckily, its possible to do all three.
The least expensive option is to use a little chlorine bleach diluted in water. Bleach solution doesnt damage concrete, but it isnt something you want in your eyes or on your skin or clothing. You could wind up with spots of white or odd colors because bleach affects fabric dye colors unevenly. So before you start working on your steps, put on old clothes, long rubber gloves and goggles, and have a bucket, a sponge and a synthetic scrub brush handy.
When everythings ready, sweep or vacuum the steps to remove loose dirt and debris. Then mix three-fourths to a cup of bleach with one gallon of water, and sponge it onto all the areas where you see the green stains. Keep sponging on more as needed so the concrete stays wet for five to 10 minutes. Scrub with a synthetic brush, then rinse thoroughly. Repeat the process if the concrete is still stained. Rinsing with a hose will dilute whatever cleaning solution is still on the concrete, so it wont harm plants where the water drains.
Preventing A Reoccurrence Of Mold
As important as it is to clean mold on basement walls, it is equally important to take steps to keep the mold from returning. As mentioned, most mold problems in basements are due to a lack of ventilation and the presence of high humidity. You can alleviate the humidity in your basement by using a dehumidifier. These units can be found for under $300. I recommend a model that will self-empty, having pump-out capability or by continuously draining through a garden hose that can be directed down a drain. Here is more on selecting the right dehumidifier.
Another preventative step you can take is to primer/paint the concrete walls with a mold resistant product after the removal process. An excellent choice is . These mold resistant products will range in price from $30-$50 per gallon. Most of these mold resistant primers and paints contain antimicrobial ingredients that help prevent mold re-growth in areas of high moisture content. Warning I never recommend attempting to cover, seal, or paint over mold in any situation.
The goal is not to kill the mold but to completely remove it.
Consider the following example: If you have a skunk living under your front porch, you have a problem. If you kill the skunk you havent solved your problem, you have just created a different problem. Now you have a dead skunk under your porch. The same goes for mold. Dont be happy with just killing it it needs to be removed.
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Mold On Concrete: 8 Steps To Get Rid Of And Prevent The Growth
Can mold grow up on concrete? The answer is yes. The growth of mold always becomes troublesome because it appears to many places especially on concrete.
To identify the growth of mold especially on concrete can be a little bit tricky. It will be easier to identify black mold on concrete. On the other hand, identify the growth of white mold might be confusing.
Either black or white mold on concrete tends to lead the structural damage and health issues. If you find the mold grows and spread around the concrete in your house, you need to get rid of it soon. Here are 8 steps to kill and prevent the growth of mold on concrete.
Will Bleach And Vinegar Kill Black Mold On Concrete
Youve probably heard horror stories about black mold, an suspected silent killer that hides in water damage and ceiling tiles. If you find black mold in your home, you may be completely overwhelmed and not quite know what to do. Luckily, cleaning black mold is not as serious as you may think, and probably easier than you assumed.
Spores of mold find their way inside by holding on clothes, pet fur, and air currents into your home, but they wont grow unless they have plenty of water.
This is why you usually find mold in moist areas like a basement, part of a ceiling with a leak, or under your sink. To prevent mold from growing, you need to not only remove the mold substance, but the area of material of which you found it.
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How To Kill Mold With Bleach
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.
