Can Mold On Walls Make You Sick
This is a strongly contested debate. While there is no substantial evidence that normal levels of mold cause serious illness, most medical experts agree that an overgrowth of mold or prolonged exposure to it in the environment can lead to adverse health consequences. In most instances, it is primarily associated with an increase in respiratory symptoms like sneezing, coughing and wheezing. It may also cause rashes, fatigue and headaches, and exacerbate allergies and asthma.
Mycotoxicosis, or mold poisoning, occurs after prolonged or extreme exposure to the poisonous byproducts of black mold known as mycotoxins. Although most of the negative effects of these chemicals result from consuming contaminated food, this study showed that very high levels of mycotoxins produced by S. chartarum led to serious health complications for residents in contaminated buildings. For those reasons, mold growth should be prevented as much as possible and treated as soon as you notice an infestation.
Can I Remove Black Mold Myself
You can safely clean black mold from your home as long as the affected area is small and manageable. Make a diluted mixture of bleach and water and spray it onto the moldy areas. Allow the bleach to sit for at least fifteen minutes before wiping it away using paper towels and a pair of gloves.
If the affected area is quite large, you can also find commercial products designed to tackle black mold. Wear a face mask before taking on a large job.
Bleach Can Damage Your Structure
Just as mold can destroy surfaces by eating into them, bleach can also cause damage to your structure. The corrosive feature of bleach means it can eat into your wood and cause it to disintegrate by weakening the wood fibers. When you apply bleach to metal surfaces, it corrodes the metal and damages your structure.
You May Like: How Much Mold Is Too Much
Natural Ways To Remove Black Mold
Black mold growth is disgusting and affronts all of our senses from many directions. It smells, looks gosh-awful and mold exposure can potentially make you and the rest of the household sick.
Mold and mildew are so offensive, its no wonder we often reach for the bleach and rubber gloves first! And, advanced mold remediation tasks may require the big guns.
Equally as important, it may be prudent to invest in amold testing kit to get a good idea of the different types of mold spores that may be lurking in your home.
Mold spores will grow unabated in dark areas of a basement. If you have carpet in the basement and it gets wet for any reason , you will have a mold farm in short order.
Here, you can read a more in-depth article that Ive written on removing mold and mildew from wet and musty carpet.
Out of control mold spores can wreak havoc in your attic spaces, and HVAC systems.
Especially, if ventilation systems are not running efficiently. I explain here how to keep the air ducts clean and free of mold. A regularly serviced and maintained HVAC system will allow you and your home to breathe a healthier life!
Many of us live in parts of the country where a year round HVAC system is not practical. Or, we prefer to be more efficient with the energy that we utilize.
If temperature and humidity levels permit, there are a number of ways to reduce the moisture levels in our home naturally. And, I explain here how to exactly do that!
Is Backer Board Anti Mold Resistant
Cement backer board such as Durock is best used for tile in highly wet applications such as shower stalls, with greenboard and other water-resistant drywall panels kept only to high-humidity areas. Greenboards paper facing alone does not inhibit mold growth. The facing must be treated with mold-resisting agents.
You May Like: What Will Kill Mold On Walls
How To Treat Mold With Lemons
Lemons are a natural deodorizer, antiseptic, bleach, stain remover, and cleaner and they can also remove black mold. The high concentration of acid in lemons breaks down mold, making it easy to remove and leaves behind a disinfected surface. Along with that wonderful citrus aroma!
Juice three-to-five lemons into a cup and pour over the moldy area. Let it sit for five minutes and then wipe the surface with a damp towel. You can reapply and scrub the surface to get rid of tough mold stains.
These natural remedies are great non-toxic alternatives to chemical-based black mold removers, and many of them are also effective against mildew. They are safe for your family and safe for the environment, and are frequently less expensive than commercial brands. To learn more about the basics of mold removal, check out this guide from EPA.gov.
From removing mold to weekly housekeeping, The Maids can help you tackle dirt and grime with our full range of cleaning services.
How To Get Rid Of Black Mold
Manuel Sousa/ iStock/ Getty Images Plus
- 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.
Recommended Reading: What Kills Black Mold In Shower
So Whats The Best Way To Remove Mold
Based on 15+ years and thousands of jobs worth of experience, Moldman recommends RMR-86 as the clear winner. Its effective for both removing mold stains and killing mold, is relatively affordable, and can be bought online.
Our runner up is Clorox Clean Up. Its cheap, widely available, not as harsh as RMR-86, and has great bang for the buck.
Check out our DIY Mold Removal eBook to learn more about chemicals that can be used to treat mold at home.
Benefits Of Hiring Professional Mold Remediators
- They discover all of the mold in your place visible and hidden mold
- They have the proper equipment to remove all of the mold and mold spores in a speedy and efficient manner.
- They can find and eliminate the source of mold even in porous materials.
- They can make sure the future growth of mold is prevented.
- They repair any damage and thoroughly clean the contaminated space.
- They are quick and efficient they can also save you time and money but making sure all of the mold is removed the first time
If you have mold in your home and dont want to take the time to try and do it yourself or simply want to make sure it is done correctly the first time, give Home Healthy Homes a call for your mold remediation needs.
Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Mold In Your Lungs
What Is The Best Way To Get Rid Of Mold
Trying to get rid of mold without proper knowledge or without a professionals help may aggravate the situation or result in even more significant problems than the mold itself.
To get rid of mold completely and prevent mold regrowth, you have to determine the type of mold you are dealing with, the extent of growth, and the root cause of the problem. You have to find the best method to remove the mold, and sometimes this may involve removing the moldy surface completely. You also need to find and repair the source of moisture so mold does not grow again.
Natural ways of removing molds are best advised since most cleaning agents like bleach only remove the mold on the surface without getting to the roots. Also, some of these cleaning products have chemicals that can be toxic to humans.
Rmr 86 Mold Remover Additional Info
RMR-86 Instant Mold and Mildew Stain Remover Spray. It has a Scrub-Free Formula! Best cleaner for mold in shower, shower curtain mold, bathroom, kitchen, toilet, and mildew remover. Great for your kitchen to wipe countertops, sinks, stovetops, ovens, and more.
RMR 86 mold remover is the best mold remover spray on the market. RMR-86 has superior penetration into porous surfaces such as wood, concrete, drywall, tile and grout, and more.
This instant stain remover cleaner will remove stubborn stains left behind by black mold that are often deep below the surface of your walls or other surfaces. It also removes unwanted odors while leaving your home smelling clean.
All you have to do is spray the cleaner directly onto the surface you want to treat. For example, this cleaner will instantly target deeply embedded stains that linger between bathroom tiles, in grout lines, under the sink, and on shower doors.
Just spray this cleaner for mold in the shower on the affected area and watch as it works! Youll be amazed at how easy it is. This cleaner is incredibly effective at removing the mold and mildew stains that have been plaguing your bathroom for years.
RMR-86 mold remover spray has the formula to eliminate these stubborn stains without leaving behind any harmful residue. The formula is also safe on virtually all surfaces. The RMR 86 is a revolutionary mold remover with the ability to instantly clean surfaces without scrubbing.
Read Also: How To Remove Mold From Pavers
Also Check: What To Clean Mold With On Walls
Water In The Foundation
Look out for a build-up of water around your homes base. This can lead to foundational problems for your home if there is a lot of water. At your homes foundation, gathering rainwater can be prevented by sloping your yard outwards from your foundation. In the same line of thought, damp basements are another culprit. Usually, there is no good ventilation in basements. This is an indication that basements could contain higher humidity or moisture amounts compared to other rooms in the home. Also, basements are often colder which means more condensation occurs which leads to humidity and basement.
Cleaning Black Mold With Vinegar
Clean mold on hard surfaces using a solution of equal parts vinegar and water. Fill a plastic spray bottle with the solution. Spray surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom with the solution and scrub the area with a tough brush. The latest trend in mold and mildew control is the shower and bathroom sprays that use once youre done taking a shower. These products work just fine, but they act on the same principle as the vinegar spray. Vinegar can substitute just about any bathroom cleaning product sold today, with the exception of heavy duty abrasive cleaners like Comet.
You May Like: How To Clean Ceiling Mould
You May Like: How To Remove Mold From Plaster Walls
Removing Mold With Ammonia
Similar to bleach, ammonia will kill mold on hard non-porous surfaces which include countertops, glass or tiles but it is not effective at killing mold on porous surfaces such as wood or drywall. Additionally, ammonia is a harsh, toxic chemical. While ammonia can kill surface mold, dead mold and dead mold spores are still allergenic so you would need to make sure to remove them as well.
How To Kill Black Mold With Vinegar
No need to mix anything here white distilled vinegar can be used to clean away black mold as is and right out of the bottle.
- Evenly spray white vinegar onto the mold stains or you can make your own mixture of a vinegar borax-water solution
- No spray bottle! Just pour the vinegar or borax solution onto a disposable towel and generously wipe onto the mold covered area and allow to dry for an hour or so.
- Get a damp towel and wipe clean again, allow to air-dry .
- If staining persists, then give the hydrogen peroxide or baking soda and vinegar combo a shot. The borax-water combo may work for you here as well on any lasting discoloration.
- Add a little elbow grease with an old toothbrush and you should be good-to-go!
Also Check: Where To Find Popsicle Molds In Walmart
How To Kill Black Mold With Tea Tree Oil
- Combine 1 teaspoon of your favorite teat tree oil to 1 cup of water.
- Stir or shake thoroughly and put the mixture into your spray bottle.
- Mist mold mixture on tarnished areas and wipe clean.
- No spray bottle No worries!
- Thoroughly dampen a disposable towel or old hand towel with green cleaning solution and apply to tarnished area.
- As a mold prevention measure, apply the tree oil to tile grout or around faucet handles and spouts then leave to dry)
Black Mold On Drywall
Are there black spots on your drywall that might be Mold? Looking for the best ways to Get rid of Mold from your drywall walls or ceilings?
In this guide you will learn:
- How to recognize black mold on drywall or ceiling,
- Common causes and how to remove black mold from drywall,
- How to prevent black mold from starting on drywall and spreading further.
Black mold grows and spreads extremely quickly on drywall and can show up when even small amounts of moisture are present.
Its extremely important to Get rid of Black Mold on Drywall as soon as you start noticing it to prevent serious mold damage!
Read Also: How To Clean Mold Off Cutting Board
Summary Of Health Problems
Many types of indoor mold, not just black mold, may cause health problems in some individuals.
Long-term exposure to high levels of mold in the home, however,
People who are most at risk of the symptoms of mold exposure are:
- infants and children
- people with allergies or asthma
- people with weakened immune systems
The main health risks related to mold exposure are allergies and irritation, which typically cause respiratory symptoms.
People with weakened immune systems may also have a risk of fungal infection.
Does Baking Soda Kill Mold
Baking soda has an excellent reputation as a cleaner. You can use it to clean your kitchen, bathroom, and even your teeth. Not surprisingly, then, baking soda is also an effective mold killer. Thanks to its mildly basic pH, it breaks down mold and absorbs any moisture that could help new spores grow into a plume of mold.
Best of all, baking soda leaves behind no harsh smell. In fact, it helps absorb odor! This makes baking soda a wonderful finishing touch and using vinegar, which can leave behind a tangy acidic smell.
Don’t Miss: What Are The Signs Of Black Mold
How Can You Tell Black Mold And Mold
Black mold has a unique smell of earthy scent of rotten leaves and dirt. Apart from this, the other way to spot is that its black. Scientifically, there are no species of mold called Black mold. However, studies have shown that black mold is of black and green color. But it can be pink or white depending on where it grows.
Should I Replace Drywall Covered With Black Mold
Black mold grows well in drywall because it is porous ,made of organic material and can hold water well perfect material for black mold to flourish.
Black mold Can even eat through your drywall and cause structural damage.
If Uncontained ,black mold can spread quickly through drywall causing very significant damage.
If the wall itself is soft to the touch, there is too much mold to clean off the drywall needs to be replaced. Remove the affected drywall and let any framing or remaining drywall dry thoroughly before you replace the drywall.
When mold growth has gotten this far, it is often better to call a professional instead of doing it yourself.
A professional will be able to assess the extent of the damage and ensure that all drywall is safe and secure.
Black mold on Drywall?
Recommended Reading: What Are Symptoms Of Getting Sick From Mold
Can I Mix Vinegar And Hydrogen Peroxide
Research published in the scientific journal Toxicology Letters advises against mixing vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. Combining the two substances in a single bottle will cause a chemical reaction and create peracetic acid. This is a highly corrosive acid that can irritate your skin and orifices.
However, there is no harm in using the two cleaners back-to-back. Just be sure to completely wipe away one before you use the other. This is a smart way to eliminate the widest variety of mold spores.
Can I Just Get Into The Wall And Use Bleach To Clean It
It may be tempting to get into the wall and spray everything with bleach by yourself. However, if you have never done this before, it is better to call someone licensed to deal with mold. This is especially true if you have never gone into the wall and dont know how to detect how extensive the mold damage is. Leaving the eradication of mold to professionals will save not only your health but also your sanity. A professional team will have all the protective gear, detection tools and methods necessary to get rid of all the mold in your home.
Mold and mildew are not just an eyesore, they can be hazardous to your health. Bleach is a common household item that will help remove mold on surfaces in the home. Bleach has many benefits for killing mold, but it also carries risks if not used properly or with caution.
Kill mold with bleach by mixing 1 cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water and spraying the mixture to the surface with mold. After an hour, scrub and rinse the surface before drying it up. Ensure the room has enough ventilation and you have put on protective gear such as a mask, goggles and gloves.
The bleach to water ratio for mold is 1:9 from the procedure above. Basically, the bleach concentration to kill mold is 10%. This concentration wont kill mold right away and is limited to nonporous surfaces like tiles.
You May Like: How To Have Your Home Tested For Mold
