Types Of Mold In The Basement
This fungus usually grows in the moist areas in your basement. The typical victims are wooden walls and floors, but other parts can also get contaminated. Thats why its also essential to learn how to clean water damaged wood bases.
You need to familiarize yourself with mold types so you know which ones are dangerous. Here is a list of them:
Black Mold Removal Using Vinegar
White vinegar is a mildly acidic product that cleans, deodorizes, and disinfects. It can also kill 82% of mold species, including black mold, on porous and non-porous surfaces. You can use it safely on most surfaces, and its offensive odor goes away quickly.
Pour undiluted white vinegar into a spray bottle. Because white vinegar contains only about 20% acetic acid, adding water makes it less effective. Spray the vinegar onto the moldy surface and leave for an hour. Finally, wipe the area clean with water and allow the surface to dry. Any smell from the vinegar should clear within a few hours.
Need Professional Raleigh Mold Removal Services
Some mold situations are too extreme to handle, which is why it is best to call our experienced Raleigh mold removal specialists if this case arises. Not only can we thoroughly remove the mold in your crawl space or basement and purify your homes air, but also repair the conditions that spurred the mold growth with our crawl space sealing and basement waterproofing services.
Dont wait to eliminate mold within your home, contact our team today to schedule a consultation! Call us at or fill out our online contact form.
Basement Waterproofing and Crawlspace Encapsulation Articles
Don’t Miss: How To Clean Mold Between Pavers
Easy Mold Prevention Methods
There are simple steps you can take to reduce the need for future mold removal. First, you want to keep humidity under control. Use a dehumidifier when humidity levels rise in the spring, summer, or fall. Second, you want to keep surfaces dry. Wet foundations, damp crawl spaces, and leaky attics often harbor mold. Repair leaks under sinks and wrap metal pipes in the basement to reduce condensation. Missing caulk and aging roofing can cause leaks that lead to mold growth in the attic or homes interior.
How To Remove Mold With Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen Peroxide has multiple benefits in addition to mold removal. It also kill viruses and bacteria. It also penetrates the surface of material better than bleach, which makes it good for materials like fabric and wood.
Hydrogen peroxide can help get ride of that stubborn mold be sure to read instructions and warnings on the bottle.
RecipeStraight 3% hydrogen peroxide, or 10% for difficult mold, you can also add it 50/50 to vinegar or baking soda, which will aid in preventing the mold from returning.
SurfacesSafe to use on all materials, both porous and nonpourous. Keep in mind that hydrogen peroxide is has a mild bleaching effect, so it can lighten colors on fabrics. Do a test spot first to see how it works.
ApplicationPut in spray bottle . Spray heavily on mold and let sit for at least 10 minutes, preferably longer. Scrub the area and wipe down. If its a fabric, place it outside in the sun to dry.
CautionsProtect from eyes, and read the label on the bottle.
How it worksHydrogen peroxide reacts by releasing oxygen at a rapid rate, which in turn oxidizes the surface of the mold and decomposes it.
AdvantagesHydrogen Peroxide is also an antiviral, antibacterial, non-toxic, and is in-expensive and leaves no residue or fumes. Penetrates the surface of material better than bleach.
Don’t Miss: Cleaning Mold Off Plastic
Mold Removal With Bleach
Bleach can kill virtually every species of indoor mold that it comes into contact with, along with its spores, leaving a surface sanitized and resistant to future mold growth.
Unfortunately, however, Unfortunately, however, using bleach is only effective if the mold is growing on non-porous materials such as tiles, bathtubs, glass and countertops. Bleach cannot penetrate into porous materials and so it does not come into contact with mold growing beneath the surface of materials such as wood and drywall. Using bleach on these materials will kill the mold above the surface but the roots within the material will remain and the mold will soon return
How To Prevent Mold
After cleaning the mold off wood, its good to know how to prevent it from reappearing in the future. Here are a few tips:
You May Like: How To Clean Mold From Leather
What Is Epa Mold Remediation
EPA mold remediation is the guidelines that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has published in order to protect people from the dangers of mold exposure. Many people dont realize how serious mold can be, and health problems can occur because they dont follow a proper home mold remediation process.
Learning about the EPAs guidelines for mold can help you to identify the supplies and techniques that are needed to effectively clean up the area and completely get rid of the mold. If you follow the steps as outlined, then the mold spores will be killed and you will be able to prevent future mold problems.
According to the EPA, you should not attempt a mold cleanup yourself if the mold covers more than 10 square feet, if the mold was caused by contaminated water, if the mold has gotten into the HVAC systems or if you have health issues that can be affected by additional exposure. You should hire a professional mold removal contractor Healthy Air Mold Remediation.
The EPA mold remediation guidelines outline steps that need to be taken to clean up water damage kill mold spores, sanitize all surfaces, prevent cross contamination, prevent health complications from mold exposure, and finishing up the job. Be sure to have a specific plan in place before you begin home mold remediation
How Do You Get Rid Of Mold
There are plenty of commercial products that are effective for black mold removal, but many of them contain harsh chemicals that may be as harmful as the mold itself. There are several ways to get rid of mold without resorting to toxic chemicals.
Here are 5 ways to treat black mold using green household cleaners:
Don’t Miss: How To Get Mold Off Ceiling
Gear Up For Protection And Observe Safety Precautions
More than anything else, when you are dealing with mold, it is important that you protect yourself from its harmful effects. A thin mask will not help. You will need to wear clothes that you can immediately wash or better yet, you can just get rid of after using them. Remember that the mold odor can be strong especially if the mold is thick and clustered. You dont want to be smelling that, right?
Mold can stick on your clothes and may spread to your other clothes if you wash them together with other clothes in the washing machine. So instead of washing it, wear clothes that you can throw away after you soil them. You will need to wear goggles and gloves. You need to protect your eyes from these particles. It is dangerous for them to reach your eyes and not wearing protective gloves when cleaning might allow mold to stick to other parts of your body. May we suggest you do not eat if you have not showered after general black mold remediation.
Do not remove this in the process of cleaning. Turn off your furnace and air-conditioner when you are dealing with molds. We dont want those spores spreading all over the room or even the house and causing some breathing and respiratory problems. You can also seal the door gaps to prevent any particles from spreading to the other room. Prepare your bleach, brushes, rags, gloves, disinfectants and everything you need for the cleaning process.
Getting Rid Of A Larger Mold Problem
Recommended Reading: How To Clean Mold Off Canvas
Why Use Mbl For Your Mold Inspection And Testing
MBL does not perform mold removal and therefore there is no bias in the assessment of the level of mold contamination. If youve a level 1 mold problem, we can save you money by advising you on how you could remove the mold yourself. Also if you hire a contractor to remove mold for you, MBL can inspect and perform mold testing again to ensure that the work was done properly.
Get 10% OFF Mold Inspection and Testing If you Call Now.
- 905-290-9101
- 604-435-6555
For a free quote for Mold Inspection and Testing in Greater Toronto or Greater Vancouver and the surrounding areas, please complete the form below.
Mold Inspection and Testing Assessment Form
Fill out the form below to help us give you an estimated cost for your mold inspection or air quality testing.
What Is Black Mold
To fully understand how this DIY Mold Remover works, its helpful to start at the beginning. So what is black mold?
Black mold, also known as Stachybotrys chartarum or Stachybotrys atra, can be found indoors growing on a variety of surfaces, especially things with a high cellulose content like wood, fiberboard, gypsum board, paper, lint and dust.
Like its name promises, black mold is dark black in color, although sometimes its can have a green or grey tint. It usually smells musty and mildew-like. Gross.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mold, a type of fungus, is very common in homes and buildings and can grow anywhere indoors where there is moisture. Black mold thrives in warm, moist environments, which is why its often found in basements and bathrooms.
Black mold exposure and black mold poisoning can cause a wide range of health problems, some of which are really serious. No surpriseaccording to the CDC, black mold can produce toxins that are toxic or poisonous.
Also Check: How To Remove Mold From Pavers
How To Remove Mold Yourself
But if you are a DIYer who wants to clean up a moldy problem here are some tips for you to follow. Remember to always wear proper safety equipment including eye protection, mask, and non-porous gloves.
Determine the source of mold. This is critical to not only determining the extent of the damage but making the necessary repairs to prevent future mold infestation.
If you are removing absorbent materials such as moldy ceiling tiles, wood, carpet, or flooring, be sure to have plenty of ventilation. Open the windows and use a fan to pull spore-infested air away from you, out the window. Cut flooring in sections before bagging and disposing of them. Vacuum area thoroughly. Ensure you have proper ventilation as doing so will certainly stir up spores.
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.
Also Check: How To Remove Mold Under Carpet
Techniques For Cleaning Surface Mold
Surface molds grow in just about any damp location, such as the grout lines of a ceramic tiled shower. They’re easy to scrub away with a mold cleaner mixture of 1/2 cup bleach, one quart of water and a little detergent. In mold remediation, the bleach in the cleaning mixture kills the mold. The detergent helps lift it off the surface so you can rinse it away and it won’t return as fast.
- Even for simple cleaning, protect yourself from contact with mold and the bleach solution by wearing a long-sleeve shirt and long pants as well as plastic or rubber gloves and goggles.
- If the mold doesn’t disappear after light scrubbing, reapply the cleaning mix and let it sit for a minute or two. Then lightly scrub again for mold remediation.
- Seal the clean surfaces when they’re thoroughly dry to slow future moisture penetration. Apply a grout sealer to tile joints to help your how to remove mold project
Note: Do not mix ammonia or any detergent containing ammonia with bleach. The combination forms a poisonous gas.
Tips For Mold Prevention
After you learn how to remove mold, focus on preventing it in the future. Controlling dampness is the key to stopping most mold. The worst infestations usually occur in damp crawl spaces, attics, walls where water leaked in from the outside, and in basements with poor foundation drainage. Stopping leaks, ensuring good ventilation in attics, keeping crawl spaces dry and routing water away from the foundation are the best defenses against mold.
Mildewcide in paint is usually effective for controlling surface mold in damp rooms like bathrooms, and outside in shady areas. Many paints already have mildewcide in them. Check with your paint dealer about mold removal products.
Also Check: Does Vinegar Get Rid Of Black Mold
How To Remove Mold Safely
To remove mold safely, its important to remember that indoor mold growth may be growing on hidden surfaces, such as the backside of dry wall, wallpaper, or paneling, the top of ceiling tiles, the underside of carpets and pads. Such hidden mold can be detected during mold inspection and testing. If you see mold in your home or office the first thing should be to assess the size of the mold or moisture problem and the type of damaged materials before planning the mold removal work. Therefore, Dont Spend On Mold Removal Before Testing The Mold First
Removing Mold From Fabric
If your home has been flooded and mold and bacteria have been left to grow for many days, it may be impossible to salvage fabric items. However, if mildew has developed due to dampness and is caught early, it can easily be removed from most fabrics.
Begin by taking the items outside to brush away as much surface mold as possible and to prevent spreading the mold spores inside your home. If the fabric is washable, use the hottest water recommended on the care label and add a disinfectant. If stains remain, create a solution of oxygen bleach and water and allow the clothes to soak for at least eight hours. Oxygen bleach can be used safely on any washable fabric.
For fabrics that are dry clean only, brush away the mildew outside and then head to a professional cleaner. Identify and point out the stains most fabrics can be successfully restored.
Recommended Reading: How To Clean Mildew From Vinyl
How To Get Rid Of Mold On Walls
Mold on your interior walls can be a hint that youve got a water problem. Behind that wall, you may have a leaky pipe or a drainage issue. Or it could mean you have a ventilation issue. Does the bathroom have a vent? If not, moisture may be building up whenever you shower, encouraging mold growth.
If there is a water problem, any mold you kill by scrubbing is only going to come back. Fix these problems first. If you suspect a leak, clean the area and see how quickly the mold comes back. If it pops up quickly, you may need to hire someone to fix the problem.
To scrub mold off your walls, use a heavy-duty sponge soaked in a bleach/water solution. While wearing a protective mask and gloves, scrub the tainted spot with your solution. For stubborn patches of mold, you may need to let the solution soak in for a few minutes. If that still doesnt work, you can use specially formulated mold remover and mix it in with your bleach solution. Once done scrubbing, make sure to dry off the area you scrubbed.
You Don’t Know What You’re Dealing With
Ok so you’ve got mold and mold is mold, right? Wrong, there are many different types of mold, some worse than others. Arguably black mold is the worst kind you can have on your property. If there is a doubt as to the type of mold, a seasoned mold remediation service will do a series of tests and take samples of the mold. These are then sent to a lab for analysis. Based on the results, you can then see what you’re dealing with. The testing team will even test areas that don’t seem to have visible mold. This is to identify areas where mold may not be visible yet, but still contaminated and needing treatment. These areas can be dealt with early, stopping a huge mold colony before it becomes a big problem.
Read Also: Black Mold Removal On Wood
When To See A Doctor
See a dermatologist if you want to remove a mole that bothers you. And definitely see a doctor if the mole has changed, which could be a sign of cancer. The doctor can do a biopsy removing a small piece of the mole to test under a microscope to see if its cancerous.
Dermatologists use two safe and effective methods for removing moles.
With surgical excision, the doctor numbs the area around the mole and then cuts out the whole mole. Then the doctor stitches or sutures the wound closed.
With a surgical shave, the doctor numbs the area around the mole and uses a blade to shave off the mole. You wont need stitches or sutures with this method.
With either method, the doctor will test your mole for cancer.
