Posts Tagged: black mold removal


12
Jun 10

Getting Rid Of Black Mold The Right Way

Black mold can be a devastating, costly, and unhealthy occurrence that can happen in any home or business. Unreported water leaks or exterior leaks allowing water and moisture to enter, is all that is needed to begin the black mold growth. And once it begins, if it is not caught early, it can be an expensive and long process to remove the black mold. If left to grow, and with a continuing moisture source, the black mold can permeate and penetrate the drywall, wood, paneling, and even the concrete.

Black mold that has grown to this extent requires major efforts to remove and treat the affected areas. Walls, insulation, and even studs need to be removed and replaced if the black mold has permeated the material of the property. Insulating material will need to be removed and replaced as well. All of this must be completed only after the source of moisture has been found and stopped.

Heavy black mold growth can be treated professionally with chemicals, high intensity steam, and freezing can also be used to kill the mold growth. These kinds of things must be done with the necessary health equipment, and the appropriate precautions must be taken in order to prevent the mold from becoming airborne where it can easily be inhaled.

When black mold is found in its earlier stages, and is not allowed to proliferate in the air to any kind of significant extent, the removal process is much easier to follow through with, and will not take that long to do. When found in the early stages, it is pretty-much just a surface mold, and this kind of m old can easily be controlled by several products that are on the market, and ones that you can purchase at your local hardware store.

You can also treat surface mold yourself easily by taking a spray bottle and adding a approximately 2 – 3 tablespoons of bleach, along with a squirt of liquid dish soap. Spray this mixture on the affected areas, allow it to soak in, and wipe off the excess. More stubborn black mold that has started entering the material may take two or three cleaning sessions to fully remove it. By taking into consideration these black mold removal tips you will hopefully be able to take care of your mold problem with relative ease, so get to work and keep your focus.


20
May 10

Can Black Mold Make You Sick?

Black mold is the common name used to describe Stachybotrys chartarum. Stachybotrys chartarum is a greenish black mold that prefers to exist on materials that are rich in cellulose such as wood, particle board, fiberboard or dust. It can thrive in poorly ventilated areas with a high humidity content. Black mold needs a continuous supply of moisture to survive.

There are many concerns regarding the health hazards that black mold may cause. It has been blamed from everything from runny noses to causing acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhages in infants. While the scientific verdict is still out, black mold has been linked to many health problems. Black mold releases a mycotoxin that can cause chronic fatigue, headaches, fevers, allergy symptoms and rashes. In severe cases, it has been known to cause respiratory bleeding. The Center for Disease Control has linked black mold to several cases of lung disorder. People with compromised immune systems, the elderly and young children seem especially vulnerable.

It is important to remember that there are many species of mold in your home. Some are harmful and some are not. The Institute of Medicine released a statement in 2004 that stated that there is sufficient evidence available to link indoor mold exposure to several upper respiratory tract problems in otherwise healthy individuals. People who are more sensitive to mold may have a persistent cough or skin allergies. Constant ear, eye and throat infections can also be linked to mold exposure.

Black mold can make you sick. But unless you have access to a lab, it is difficult to say which mold, if any, is harmful to your health. If you find black mold, or any mold inside your house you should learn how to remove the black mold in order to preserve your health. Depending upon the extent of the problem you may have to seek professional help. To remove patches of any type of mold, a simple bleach solution can be used. Mix one cup of bleach with one gallon of water and thoroughly scrub the affected areas. Keep the area well ventilated and make sure the surface stays as dry as possible to prevent further mold problems.


25
Feb 10

Do It Yourself Black Mold Mildew Removal

One of the biggest health risks to home owners is black mold removal. The Center For Disease Control often offers advice on the removal of this issue as well as reasons why you would need to take care of the problem before it becomes worse. This mold is really not something that you want to write off, when found to be a problem, no matter how small you may think it is.

You can differentiate this mold from other types of mold in your home without having to have a lab set up in your house. Most people wish to make sure to eliminate all kinds of molds, regardless of what type it is because all of them can cause some sort of damage.

Black mold, however, is slick and a green and black sort of color. Mold spores will move to different parts of your house fairly easily causing this to spread very quickly. They thrive and will grow best when there is a damp environment, or there is water leaking, such as a basement or bathroom.

Before you decide what you are going to do about your own removal process, you have to consider how bad the problem may be. If the area is fairly small and it has been due to a plumbing issue such as a leak, corrective measures need to be taken, as well. Disinfecting with bleach will usually solve most small black mold problems.

Usually, mixing one cup of bleach to one gallon of water will take care of this issue, however in some cases, it may be that outside help is needed. Because the spores from dried mold can be a hazard, they have to be taken care of very carefully. Ensure that those cleaning the mold area do not scrape, scratch or use abrasives, but also that protective clothing such as masks and eye goggles are used.

If you do find that the area is pervasive, or covers a large extent of your basement or bathroom, you may need to seek professional help in eliminating the problem and for the black mold removal. Consider also if you have any respiratory issues such as asthma, that cleaning the contaminant may be dangerous. If you feel that the area is small enough and there is adequate ventilation while you clean, then black mold can easily be disinfected with the bleach mixture mentioned above and removed without much problem.