Roofing and Building Center

Dealing With Black Mold

Posted on January 2, 2010 by Samuel Cheeseman ----- Advertisement

Black Mold (Stachybotrys chartarum) is a highly toxic species which can often be found in damp areas of a building where the air quality is poor. It is green and black in colour with a slimy texture but is often transported as tiny spores which are invisible to the naked eye. These are often inhaled or transferred between humans and animals by direct contact. It will sometimes be difficult to distinguish between mold which is harmfull to your health and mold which is not. To remain safe you should treat all mold as if it poses a threat. Testing kits are also available to detect toxic mold spores in the air.

Toxic black mold can be especially problematic in private homes due to the negative effects it can have on the health of the people residing in them. Although its effects can be serious black mold removal can be completed by a homeowner as long as the infected area remains small. Cleaning black mold can however be hazardous if the correct safety precautions are not taken. In situations where you are not comfortable removing the mold yourself or where it has reproduced extensively to cover large areas then professional contractors may be required in order to ensure safe removal.

Black Mold and Your Health

There is a wide range of possible symptoms of black mold exposure and they will vary from person to person. Babies and children along with the elderly and those with a weak immune system will be most at risk. Black mold symptoms will depend on the total time an individual is exposed for and the amount of spores they have inhaled during this time. Common signs of exposure result from allergic reactions or irritations. They include heavy coughing and sneezing, rashes, eye irritation, headaches and fatigue along with excess mucus forming in the mouth, throat and nose. More serious exposure can lead to an allergic reaction causing nose bleeds and vomiting. Those who suffer from conditions such as asthma or sinusitis are likely to experience the most severe symptoms.

How to Clean Black Mold

As long as the affected area is not too large then the issue of how to kill black mold is easily dealt with. Household bleach diluted with water will be sufficient to neutralize the mold. This should be applied to the area where the mold is growing and left for around half an hour before being washed off. Mold which has dried should also be washed off instead of being scraped from a surface in order to prevent harmful spores from being released. After any mold has been removed the area should then be sprayed with disinfectant and dried.

While removing black mold it is important to take some precautions in order to prevent yourself from being exposed and reduce black mold health risks while you complete the work. Eye protection should be worn along with a mask that covers your nose and mouth. Clothing should be worn which is easily removed and will cover your whole body leaving no skin exposed. Ventilate the area as much as possible by opening all available windows and take regular breaks in order to get some fresh air. It is important to make sure no one else enters the infected room while you are removing the mold. Cordoning off the area will be a good idea. Any contaminated material should be sealed in a bag and disposed of safely. Your outer layer of clothing will need to be washed as soon as possible. As long as you know how to get rid of black mold effectively and take the necessary black mold safety precautions then the work can be completed safely.

Preventing the Growth of Black Mold

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) in the USA has issued advice which could help to prevent toxic black mold from growing in your home. You should try to keep the humidity levels down in your property and ensure that rooms are adequately ventilated. This is particularly important in kitchen and bathroom areas. If you currently use a humidifier in your home such as one from the popular Honeywell Humidifier range then you may want to adjust the settings so you you can lower the moisture levels in property. Mold inhibitors can be added to paint before any new paint work is completed. There are also cleaning products available which are designed to kill mold and these should be used periodically. A final step you could take is making sure that your basement waterproofing is intact and remains effective as a many basements are permanently damp. Cracks, gaps and other damage to the building foundations will often allow moisture to find its way in from the outside so waterproofing basement areas can prevent the growth of mold inside them. It will be difficult to completely eliminate all kinds of mold from your property but these suggestions will limit the amount of black mold treatment you will need to carry out by limiting damp conditions as much as possible. Any leaks coming from the plumbing system in your home will obviously need to be fixed as well. Sites such as Atlanta Plumbers provide information about companies who could carry out this kind of work for you.