16 Dec Learn How To Clean Black Mold
You can find black mold or any other mold in your home. People are often afraid of black mold because they don’t know what it is or how to remove it. Mold can have negative effects on your health and should be dealt with accordingly. Coastline can help you with the problem. This blog will provide some helpful tips for those who have to clean up black mold in areas less than 10 feet square.
What’s Black Mold?
Black mold can be used to describe several species of fungus. These fungi are dark-colored and usually appear as brownish-black spots. It is not always black, despite its name. When they grow on wood surfaces, some may appear greenish-black to blue-green.
Mold spores can be found all over the place. These mold spores can latch onto surfaces and grow if the right environment is created. Black mold can be found indoors or outdoors on almost any surface, even porous.
Because moisture aids in mold growth, it is common to find this mold growing in basements and bathrooms. Keep in mind that not all mold can be seen. Sometimes hidden mold may lurk behind wallpaper or drywall.
Are Black Molds Dangerous?
It can be very dangerous, depending on where you live or how much exposure you have. Black mold can cause allergic reactions in some people. Black mold can trigger asthma symptoms or cause asthma attacks. People with weak immune systems may experience symptoms such as fever, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and chills.
Long-term exposure to this type of mold can also cause lung damage and respiratory problems. No matter where you live, you should immediately report any suspected mold growth.
What does black mold removal entail?
It is best to hire a professional for mold remediation because of the potential dangers black mold poses. Professionals will have the right equipment and training to safely and efficiently remediate mold.
There are steps that you can take if the area affected is less than 10 square feet. This is not the same procedure a professional would use.
Protective gear is required for any contact with mold. Proper PPE (Personal Protective Gear) includes eye protection, a N-95 face mask and rubber gloves.
Step 1: Assess the extent of the damage
Mold thrives in certain environments so it is important to fix the source. Leaky pipes, roofs, and air conditioning systems are all common causes of mold. Bad ventilation in bathrooms can also lead to mold problems.
Before you attempt to eliminate black mold, make sure to identify the source of the problem. This will prevent any further damage and reduce the costs of remediation and repairs.
Step 2: Air Quality Testing
Proper ventilation is essential for black mold remediation. A professional should be hired to collect samples and identify the types and extent of mold contamination. They will also recommend safe mold removal procedures and the replacement of contaminated materials.
Step 3: Controlling Moisture Levels
After water damage, all affected areas should be dried with fans and dehumidifiers within 48-72 hour. This will stop mold growth and reproduction. Rubber gloves, goggles and a face mask with particle filter are all necessary to perform this task.
Step 4: Mold Removal Procedures
These are not recommended procedures and should not be used on black mold that has affected less than 10 square feet. These are not the procedures that professionals would use.
To prevent cross-contamination, seal all affected areas with plastic sheets.
Proper PPE is required to scrub the mold using a commercial mold remover. You can also make your own natural mold remover using household products. Combine 5 parts white vinegar with 5 parts water and 1 part baking soda. Spray the solution into a spray bottle.
Spray the mold with your commercial or home product and allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes. Clean the mold with a sponge.
You can repeat the process as many times as you need to kill mold. Before removing the protective sheets, make sure that all windows and doors have been returned to their original positions.
Black Mold Prevention
Prevention is better than cure. While we cannot be certain that mold will not grow in our homes or buildings, we can take steps to minimize the likelihood of it happening. These are some ways you can help.
- If your home doesn’t have one, hire someone to install one. You can also purchase residential dehumidifiers at your local home improvement shop.
- Water leaks should be fixed quickly to prevent moisture from causing serious damage.
- To remove moisture from your home, always use exhaust fans when cooking or taking a shower.
- You should ensure that all new construction materials are properly treated as they can harbor a lot of fungi and would love to make their way into your home.
Ventilation Systems should be installed before mold remediation
Many people make the error of thinking that ventilation systems can be installed after mold has been found. This is a bad idea as you must get rid of any moisture or contaminated air in your home before you can control mold growth.
You will likely release mold spores during remediation. These spores will circulate in your home until your new ventilation system eliminates them. It is important that you ensure proper ventilation in the early stages of moisture damage repair if you suffer from asthma or allergies.
This is why professional Long Mold Remediation Companies are a good choice. They know how to remove moisture and restore air quality efficiently while keeping costs down.