You will need to find out how to get rid of black mold in your house if you find mold growing in your home or suspect it is making you sick.
Mold is a type of fungus that can grow both indoors and outdoors. While mold is necessary for the decomposition of organic matter, it can also be harmful to humans, causing respiratory problems, skin irritation, and even allergic reactions.
Black mold is known as Stachybotrys chartarum and it can be black, green, white, or pink in color, and can appear as spots or fuzzy patches. Stachybotrys – Wikipedia
Whatever color it is it can make you sick, damage your home and furnishings and make your home unsellable.
If you find mold in your home, it’s important to remove it as soon as possible.
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How To Get Rid Of Black Mold In Your House
So you found mold growing in your house but how can you get rid of mold and how can you prevent it from coming back?
Mold is harmful to humans because it can produce allergens, irritants, and toxins.
Inhaling or touching mold can cause allergic reactions, skin irritation, and respiratory problems.
So if you have mold in your home, it’s important to clean it up as soon as possible.
Finding Mold In The House
Mold can sometimes be hidden and growing in the walls. If you find a musty smell in your home you most likely have a mold problem.
One thing you can do is perform a home mold test although they are not always accurate it’s a good place to start.
If the test comes back positive you will need to do a more thorough inspection.
DIY Mold Inspection
Start looking for wet spots under sinks and behind washing machines.
Look for areas of condensation around windows or in corners where heat cant penetrate easily.
Mold is common in bathrooms, kitchens, and basements where humidity can be higher than in the rest of the house.
Check for leaky roofs and look for tea-colored water spots on ceilings or on walls.
If you are experiencing asthma, colds that don’t go away, itchy eyes, sneezing, or coughing mold exposure may be causing them.
So even if you don’t find any mold on your visual inspection it is a good idea to contact a professional for a mold inspection.
They have specialized tools that can find hidden mold and the experience on where to look for hidden mold.
Getting Rid Of Black Mold Where To Start
The first step in cleaning up mold is to identify the source of the problem and correct it.
Mold loves to grow in humid places like basements, bathrooms, and kitchens.
Once you’ve found the source of the mold, you need to get rid of the moisture.
This means fixing any leaks or flooding problems and making sure that there is proper ventilation in the affected area.
Once you’ve done this, you can start cleaning up the mold itself. If you don’t correct the moisture and humidity problem mold will grow back even after you remove it.
Basic Facts about Mold and Dampness | CDC
To clean mold off of hard surfaces like countertops and showers, mix one-part bleach and 10 parts water in a spray bottle and apply it to the moldy areas. Let it sit for 10 minutes before wiping it away with a clean cloth.
Removing black mold from porous surfaces is not possible with bleach. Surfaces like infected drywall will need to be removed entirely.
Getting Rid Of Black Mold On Drywall (blackmoldremoval101.com)
This is beyond the scope of most homeowners. The infected materials must be removed and disposed of without spreading mold spores to the rest of the house.
This takes a trained professional with the proper equipment to do it successfully.
The CDC recommends professional mold remediation for areas larger than 10 square feet.
How to prevent mold from coming back in the future
The best way to prevent mold is to control the level of humidity in your home.
Mold thrives in humid environments, so keeping your home well-ventilated will help to discourage its growth.
The relative humidity in your home should be below 55% and lower is better.
If you live in a humid climate you may need to use dehumidifiers. Air conditioning also helps remove moisture.
In addition to controlling humidity, you should regularly clean areas where mold is likely to grow, such as the kitchen and bathroom.
Mold is microscopic and it doesn’t need much food to grow and spread.
A damp speck of dust, lint, or piece of wood or paper is a meal so keep things clean and don’t leave it any food.
If you do find a water leak, be sure to fix it promptly as dampness can also lead to mold growth.
You can also help prevent mold by making sure your home is well-ventilated.
This means opening windows and doors on a regular basis to let fresh air in.
You should also avoid using humidifiers, as they can create conditions that are ideal for mold growth.
If you do need to use a humidifier, be sure to clean it regularly to prevent mold from forming inside of it.
Taking these steps will help you get rid of mold and keep it from coming back.
If you have any questions or concerns about getting rid of mold and think mold might be making you sick be sure to talk to your doctor.
They can give you specific advice on how to deal with mold in your home based on your individual situation.
How To Get Rid Of Black Mold In Your House Final Thoughts
While mold is necessary for the decomposition of organic matter, it can also be harmful to humans, causing respiratory problems, skin irritation, and even allergic reactions because confined inside a house it can reach much higher levels than outdoors.
If you find mold in your home, it’s important to remove it as soon as possible. But how can you prevent it from coming back?
Control the level of humidity in your home. Mold thrives in humid environments, so keeping your home well-ventilated will help discourage its growth.
Don’t let the humidity in your home go above 55 percent. In humid climates, you may need to use humidifiers.
Black mold can cause a number of health problems, including respiratory infections, asthma attacks, and skin irritations.
In addition, mold can also damage your belongings and make your home look and smell unpleasant.
If you have any questions or concerns about getting rid of mold, be sure to talk to a qualified mold removal professional. They can give you specific advice on how to deal with mold in your home based on your individual situation.
If you are experiencing medical symptoms and suspect mold is causing them don’t hesitate to seek medical attention from a doctor.
