Black mold is a severe problem that can cause significant health problems. If you have black mold, getting rid of it as soon as possible is vital. This article explains why black mold is a serious problem and covers the removal process so you know exactly how to get rid of black mold.
What Is Black Mold?
Black mold, also known as Stachybotrys chartarum, is a fungus that grows on damp surfaces such as wood, paper, and carpet. It can cause serious health problems if it grows in your home or building. For example, black mold can cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to mold and asthma attacks in people with asthma.
Additionally, exposure to black mold can lead to respiratory illnesses in children and fetal deaths in pregnant women. For these reasons, it’s essential to know how to get rid of black mold as soon as you notice it growing in your home or building.
Types of Common Household Molds
You can find hundreds of different types of molds everywhere in the world. The most common types of household molds include Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Stachybotrys, and Mucor. One of the types of mold homeowners encounter the most often is bread mold or Botrytis cinerea. This type of mold is prevalent and appears on many fruits and vegetables, as well as grains.
Household molds also often grow on the wallpaper, ceiling tiles, old books, and paper documents. A combination of heat and humidity encourages mold growth, so it’s common to find small amounts of mold in most homes. In most cases, household molds are not a serious concern, but black mold is a notable exception, so it’s crucial to know how to get rid of black mold.
Things Needed to Clean Black Mold
To safely clean black mold, you’ll need some specific materials. First, you should use disposable gloves to protect your hands. Since you’re cleaning a potentially toxic substance, you’ll also want to wear protective gear while cleaning.
Next, you’ll need a spray bottle filled with water. You will also need some robust cleaning solution and a brush that you can use to clean the affected area. Finally, using an old rag or towel to clean up any drips that may fall onto the floor while you’re working is a good idea.
The process to Get Rid of Black Mold
The cleanup process will depend on the location and extent of the mold infestation. However, as a general rule, you should remove all traces of mold using the appropriate cleaning products and equipment. In the following sections, we explain each step of the cleanup process in more detail and provide recommendations on how to get rid of black mold in your home.
Locate and Identify the Black Mold
First, you’ll need to inspect the affected area to determine the extent of the damage. You can use a flashlight to check for signs of visible mold growth on the walls, ceilings, and floors. You can also use a black light to detect the presence of hidden mold.
This step is crucial, as black mold multiplies and can regrow if even a trace amount. You should also check for leaks in the roof, pipes, and plumbing fixtures that could allow moisture to accumulate and cause the mold to grow again.
Mix Your Mold Killer
To get rid of black mold on drywall, you should mix a solution of bleach and water in a spray bottle. The ratio of the solution should be about one part bleach to nine parts water.
You can also use a commercial product when killing black mold. These products usually contain chlorine or other chemicals that kill bacteria and other microorganisms.
To use these products, simply follow the instructions on the package. If you’re removing black mold from the carpet, you should remove the carpet from the affected areas.
Suit-Up with Protective Gear
Wear protective gloves before removing black mold to prevent your skin from contacting the mold spores. You should also wear a protective mask to avoid inhaling mold spores. Finally, you may want to wear a long-sleeved shirt to protect yourself against the irritation caused by direct contact with the mold spores.
Spray on the Solution and Let It Sit
Spray the mixture onto the affected areas until you saturate the mold with the solution. Be sure to cover the surface thoroughly with the solution to ensure every trace of the mold is gone. Before conducting this process, it’s wise to cover the floor with a tarp to prevent the cleaning solution from dripping onto other surfaces.
Scrub the Affected Area Carefully
You’ll need to remove any moldy material from the surface using a scrub brush or a scraper. Pay special attention to areas that are difficult to reach, such as the ceiling and the corners. Ensure the area is completely dry before moving on to the next step.
Spray the Mold with Biocide and Let It Sit
To prevent the spread of mold to other surfaces in your home, you should use a biocide to kill any remaining spores on the surface. Many products on the market are available to accomplish this purpose.
Be sure to follow the directions on the label carefully to ensure you apply the product correctly. In most cases, you will need to spray the product on the surface of the mold and leave it in place for several hours or overnight to kill black mold.
Clean Up and Take Out the Trash
Dispose of any materials that came into contact with the mold by cleaning them thoroughly and discarding them in the garbage. Be sure to thoroughly clean the area to ensure the mold will not return. Vacuuming the floor will also help to remove mold spores from the floor and prevent it from spreading to other rooms in the house.
Conduct a Mold Test to Confirm the Mold Is Gone
Start by using a surface sample kit to test the area for mold. You can purchase these kits at most home improvement stores and use them to detect the presence of various contaminants in the air. If the equipment indicates a high mold level, you should hire a professional to take care of the problem.
It is essential to take the appropriate steps to get rid of mold as soon as you notice it in your home to prevent it from spreading and causing damage to your property.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Black Mold
How Often Should You Clean Black Mold Growth?
As per CDC recommendations, regularly cleaning the areas contaminated with black mold is extremely important to get rid of black mold. A frequent cleaning routine can help you avoid the risk of adverse health effects and minimize structural damage to your property. Now that you know how to remove black mold, the recommended cleaning frequency will depend on the type of surface and size of the area the mold infestation affects.
Is Black Mold Harmful?
Black mold is a common fungal species that produce mycotoxins, which can harm some people. Exposure to these chemicals can result in various health problems, including respiratory issues, eye irritation, headaches, and allergic reactions. The health hazards of exposure to black mold can be particularly severe for people with compromised immune systems, such as young children, older adults, and people with asthma.
Can You Get Sick from Black Mold in Your House?
While not everyone exposed to black mold will experience symptoms, certain individuals are more likely to develop health complications after exposure. These may include children, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with existing health conditions like asthma or allergies. It is also important to note that prolonged exposure to black mold can lead to serious health problems such as infection, miscarriage, cancer, and immune deficiency.
In addition, while black mold does not spread easily from person to person, it can spread to other parts of the house on contaminated objects or people carrying the spores on their skin or clothing.
Conclusion
An important thing to remember when cleaning black mold is that the longer it grows, the worse the damage is to your home and health. As such, you must take action as soon as you detect the mold to prevent the growth and spread of mold spores. While following the process in this article can help eliminate the mold in your home, it is crucial that you also seek professional help if necessary since dealing with black mold growth can be challenging.
Our experts at Attic Projects have years of experience and can help identify the root cause of mold growth and effectively eliminate the mold from your home. We use state-of-the-art equipment for black mold remediation and commit ourselves to provide superior quality services and guaranteed results.
If you need help with black mold removal or want to learn more about how to get rid of black mold permanently, call our Attic Projects team at 858-302-4082 today.
