What is black mold, and why is it dangerous for your house and health?
Black mold is a type of fungus that appears in black or dark green color. They can grow on wood, walls of your house, paper, kitchens, basements, etc. They basically grow in warm and moist environments like bathroom showers and toilets and dirty areas. black mold if ignored can turn into a serious health hazard.
It can be removed by professional help or even at home by skilled DIY. You can tackle the problem of black mold by effectively tackling the issue with the right resources.
Black mold infestation can ruin the outlook of your house and can have a serious impact on your health as well.
Black mold can produce toxins that can travel through the air and can cause health problems such as –
Chronic fatigue, sneezing, persistent headache, respiratory problems, coughing, irritation in the eyes, etc.
What causes black mold in your house?
Black mold can happen due to various reasons. The main cause of black mold could be a higher interior humidity, forms of flooding, excess moisture in the house, roof leaks, overflowing washing machines, dirty walls, etc. This problem is quite common in houses and basements.
Black mold does not cause deadly impacts initially but can trouble you in the long run which is why its removal is extremely important.
Just like humans, and animals need food for their survival similarly, mold also needs something in order to survive. Molds eat the walls of your houses. Wonder why?
It is because the drywall of your houses has cellulose that excites them to eat. Many molds also survive on everyday dust and dirt that gathers in the corners of your walls due to excessive moisture, improper cleaning, etc. They often smell musty and tend to wreak plenty of havoc.
How to prevent the growth of black mold?
Various methods can help remove black mold from your house. All you need to do in order to prevent your house from black mold is to keep your walls away from excessive moisture, dust, and dirt. In case. In case your house has already been attacked by black molds you can remove them by following some steps.
Black mold removal- Steps
Understand and find the main cause of the black mold –
Identifying the main source of mold in your house is important. The growth of black mold can be identified by its black color and texture. It usually appears in spots and patches including corners of your houses, cardboard boxes, cupboards, basements, etc. You can use a flashlight or use your nose to follow the musty scent of black mold to locate the area. Using a flashlight would help you to inspect the dark corners of your house.
Protect yourself-
Once you analyze the affected area the second and the most important step is to protect yourself as during the removal process it can hamper your health. Here’s how you can protect yourself-
- Wear rubber gloves to avoid direct skin touch from the mold and discard them after the removal process.
- Wearing a respirator is also important as that will help you to protect yourself against black mold poisoning.
- Try wearing full sleeves clothes so that it covers all your body and none of your skin is exposed.
- Try using safety goggles to protect your eyes.
Prepare the affected area for removal-
Once you have taken all the precautionary measures now you need to prepare the area for the removal. the first step is cleaning the area and hear how you can do that-
- The first step is to turn off your heater or air conditioner as it is necessary to avoid any air inside your home while removing the fungus.
- Close all the windows and doors and seal them properly and cover the doorways with painter’s tape.
Start the removal process-
Here’s the actual task for black mold removal. Firstly you need to gather a few things for the removal process including-
- Baking soda
- Distilled white vinegar
- Water
- Spray bottle
- Bleach or dish soap
- All-purpose cleaners
- Chemical-based mold removal
- Cleaning sponge or bristle brush
Steps for black mold removal-
In order to prepare a natural solution for black mold removal, you need to combine one part of baking soda with 5 parts of distilled white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
You can also opt for chemical-based mold remover, dish soap, bleach, or cleaners to do the process.
Now you need to spray the solution on the affected area and let it sit for about 1 hour before you start the scrubbing process.
After one hour you will notice that the area is all covered with the solution you had applied. Now the next step is to start scrubbing the area using a cleaning sponge or bristle brush gently. Make sure to be careful while cleaning so that the black mold doesn’t touch your skin. Continue the scrubbing process till the area is completely free from any mold.
One thing to keep in mind is to make sure to read the proper instructions mentioned at the back of the mold cleaners or solutions you are using.
Final cleanup-
Now that you are done scrubbing the area remove any debris that contains black mold. Do not open or unseal the doorways till the entire cleaning is done. Once you are satisfied with the cleaning you can switch on the exhaust fan. Make sure to not rinse the area with water and allow the area to air dry.
Disposal process-
Once the entire cleaning is completed make sure to dispose of all the plastic bags, gloves, paper towels, etc and tightly seal them in a disposable bag before taking it out with the trash. You can keep the sponge and brushes for future use but make sure to wash done thoroughly with hot water.