Black Mold Removal - Removing Black Mold

There is a common perception that mold is only found in dirty, nasty homes that are not taken care of. In reality, mold can occur in those types of environments but can also appear in crystal clean areas as well. Mold can grow and spread fast and often in areas where it cannot be seen like in between walls, or a crawl space or other places inside the house. Home owners need to be aware of the potential impacts of mold and the importance of black mold removal as soon as it is spotted.

Black mold requires several conditions to grow and spread in a house. It requires a food source as well as the proper temperature. It can grow as a variety of temperatures, but those areas with high humidity are more likely to have toxic black mold, which likes to grow in wet and warm environments.

Before you start on the black mold removal process, there are a couple of steps you will need to do before the actual cleaning begins. Doing these two steps will ensure the mold does not continue to be a problem for you going forward.

If the mold is being caused by water, it is important to find the source. If there has been flooding in your house or a broken or leaky pipe, it is important to get that fixed as soon as possible. Black mold can start to develop and grow in as little as 1 to 2 days so it is critical to get started as quick as you can to prevent damage.

Once the source has been determined, you will need to dry out the area. It might require you to get or rent equipment to help with the process, such as a pump if you have flooding, as well as fans and dehumidifiers.

When you are cleaning an area of black mold, it is imperative to seal off the the area as best you can to stop the mold spores from spreading to other areas. Once you start to clean, the mold is disturbed which results in spores going into the air, allowing them to possibly spread to other areas of the house.

Seal the doorways, vents and any other openings to the room or building with plastic sheets and tape to prevent the spreading of the mold spores. If you have a window in the room that goes to the outside of the home, placing an exhaust fan by it can direct the flow of air outside so the mold spores are pushed out of the house to help prevent spreading.

Once you have prepared the area, you are now ready to start the black mold removal process. If the area you are cleaning is dry or mostly dry, it is best to spray the area lightly with water. If you start to clean on a dry surface, you run the risk of the mold spores going into the air during cleaning.

Use soap to clean the area with the toxic black mold and then apply a disinfectant afterward. This will kill the remaining mold spores that are left on the area. Clean all around the area of the mold even if you can not currently see mold visible. Mold spores are very small and strong and can stay dormant for months or years before showing, so clean as much of the areas as you can, regardless of what you see.After cleaning and applying the disinfectant, you need to make sure the area is totally dry. If that area gets moisture down the line and you missed any of the mold spores, the black mold is likely to come back.

Remove all mold, mold-infected items and cleaning supplies like towels, rags, etc. in plastic bags. It is best not to carry the bags through the house after cleaning to prevent risk of spreading of mold spores. Where possible, it is better to take the bags out through the window or another opening to the outside close to the room where you were cleaning.

If you are ever exposed to black mode, it can have a variety of effects on you and your body. Depending on the amount of spores ingested or inhaled, plus the length of exposure to the mold, you may see the following symptoms; rashes, chronic coughing, headaches, irritation of the yes, throat and nose. In extreme cases, especially if combined with an allergic reaction, could lead to vomiting and bleeding in the nose and lungs. Therefore, it is very important to make sure you are protecting yourself when cleaning toxic black mold. If the mold damage is severe or if you have any health related problems, it is best to get a mold inspection and have a professional mold company handle the job for you. If you are able to remove the mold yourself, here are some precautions to take during the job:

1. Wear a respirator - A dust mask or respirator is important to protect against the possible inhaling of mold spores. The best choice for protection is a respirator that is made for particle removal.

2. Clothing - Wear clothing that covers all parts of the body to prevent exposure to your skin. You also should wear eye goggles and rubber gloves.

3. Work smart - If there is a large area of mold to cover, it may take several hours to finish the job. Make sure that you are getting enough fresh air from time to time so work for short lengths of time, making sure to take plenty of outdoor breaks.

There are several steps you can take to be proactive about preventing black mold from occurring in your house. Here is a look at a few of your options:

1. Check the humidity - toxic black mold will prosper and grow in your home where the relative humidity hits 55% or more. This humidity level may only be in one part of your house and not throughout the entire dwelling so it is important to be able to check all areas. You can purchase a humidity sensor for around $20 - $30. Check for humidity in the following areas:

• every room, check bathrooms closely
• basements, crawl spaces, cellars
• cabinets, closets, any food storage areas
• attics, spaces between the ceiling and roof

2. Use dehumidifiers - if the relative humidity is constantly over 55%, you will have to use dehumidifiers to control the levels. If you purchase a dehumidifier, it is best to place them in several rooms instead of using only one for a large area.

3. Check for water - check several areas of the house to look for areas where water is leaking or entering the house. Here are some of the areas to pay close attention to:

• The foundation
• Pipes
• Roof & Gutters
• Walls
• Windows
• Basement & Crawl Space