Black Mold Removal 101 provides information about how to get rid of black mold and will answer all your questions about black toxic mold symptoms and black mold removal.
You probably have a lot of questions and concerns about black mold, its effect on your health, and the black mold removal and remediation process.
Maybe you have found mold growing in your house and are scared and unsure what to do next.
You may only suspect your home is unhealthy and is making you sick at this point and are not sure what the next step is.
Perhaps you feel there is a stigma attached to having mold in homes, especially your own.
Mold spores are everywhere and when humidity and temperatures are favorable they can grow and multiply rapidly in the cleanest of homes.
Black Mold Removal Overview – Getting Rid Of Black Mold
Our site was set up to put the facts you need about black mold removal right at your fingertips.
Needless to say, there is a great deal of confusion and misinformation surrounding the subject.
We hope to dispel some of this misinformation and get you on the path to getting rid of mold and making sure it does not come back.
Below is a brief outline of some of the topics on Black Mold Removal 101.
Mold Health Effects
Toxic mold has certainly gotten its fair share of media attention.
Generally, this term refers to the fungus Stachybotrys Chartarum or Stachybotrys Atra.
It can be black or greenish-black but other types of mold can also appear similar and also be toxigenic.
Stachybotrys are highly toxic to humans.
Without black mold removal, houses and other infected buildings will suffer from sick building syndrome and in some cases without remediation actually become uninhabitable.
Different Types of Mold In Homes
You may be wondering if your house has Stachybotrys or if you need to start testing for it.
Stachybotrys Chartarum is actually only one of several types of mold that can cause health problems.
Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, and Curvularia are common in homes and are known to pose a health risk.
Any mold is bad if it’s growing inside your home. The color is not important.
Stachybotrys Symptoms
WARNING!!! Stachybotrys growing in your home is highly toxic and hazardous to your health.
Stachybotrys removal should begin as soon as possible after it is found.
Pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and those with allergies, asthma, existing respiratory problems, or compromised immune systems are at the greatest risk for experiencing Stachybotrys symptoms.
The symptoms of black mold poisoning can vary. People with allergies or asthma can exhibit severe and acute symptoms.
Respiratory problems are common with exposure to toxic mold and it is known to exacerbate asthma attacks.
Stachybotrys can cause pneumonitis and in some cases cause internal bleeding and even death.
For many, symptoms are less severe but more chronic and include flu-like symptoms, fatigue, and general malaise.
Mold Remediation
Mold remediation can be a costly and complex process, especially where large areas of the home are affected.
The term remediation refers to restoring the environment to its prior state.
To do this all infected materials must be removed without spreading the spores throughout the rest of the house.
In some cases, it will be necessary for homeowners to remove their furniture and relocate during the remediation process.
Mold Inspection – How To Detect Mold
If you do suspect you have a problem you will need to do a mold inspection.
You can do this yourself or you can have a certified mold inspector do it.
It is important to find all of it. You may not find visible signs of Stachybotrys growing but that doesn’t mean there’s no hidden mold or spores in the house.
If your house has a musty smell that’s a dead giveaway that you have a problem.
Home Mold Testing
Mold testing is done for two main reasons. One is to determine the amount of spores present and the other is to determine the type of mold.
This kind of testing is generally unnecessary except to confirm the presence of mold when there are no visible signs.
If you find mold in the house then a mold cleanup is in order. Since all types of mold can produce negative health effects there really is no need to find out what kind it is.
Testing for mold should always be done after a mold remediation project to ensure the problem was solved.
Getting Rid Of Mold
How to get rid of mold will depend a lot on the extent of the infestation and what kind of materials are affected.
Small areas 30 square feet or less may be suitable for DIY black mold removal, but with larger areas, the danger of cross-contamination increases and will likely require mold remediation by a trained professional.
Porous materials like drywall need to be discarded and replaced while hard surfaces like tile or metal are relatively easy to clean.
Mold Clean Up
Whether you choose to do it yourself mold clean up or hire a professional mold remediator to do it, it is important to follow the right procedures in the right order so it won’t return.
You may have heard that simply using bleach will kill mold. Guess again.
If it were that simple black mold removal wouldn’t be such an expensive time-consuming process.
The EPA and CDC wouldn’t be involved and there would be no need for mold remediation training or mold remediation certification.
Stachybotrys removal requires proper protective equipment.
Because of its toxicity, even when cleaning up small areas, safety equipment should be worn. Always wear a mask, gloves, and easy to clean clothing.
HEPA vacuums and air filters can help restore healthy air quality in your home and monitoring humidity and using dehumidifiers will prevent it from coming back.
Be leery of products that claim to be a quick fix for your problem.
Mold Prevention
It is important to understand how to prevent mold growth inside your home.
It is impossible to totally eliminate mold because it is everywhere. But it can be controlled and kept at safe levels.
Controlling moisture is critical to preventing mold growth.
If precautions are not taken to control the environment it will quickly grow back.
Black Mold Removal – Take Action
It is important to take action on what you learn here. Black mold and other common household molds are a health hazard and they can make it impossible to sell your house too, so it is a financial hazard as well.
Don’t hide your head in the sand and hope the mold will go away. It won’t and it will get worse over time.
Eventually, infected areas will start to rot and cause structural damage to your home.
The longer you wait to start your black mold removal the more extensive the damage will become to your home and your health.