Black Mold

D. Michael Kirby asked:




Stachybotrys chartarum. Otherwise known as toxic black mold. Chances are, it won’t reduce your home to rubble. And it won’t use up all your cell phone minutes. And it definitely won’t go to the county courthouse and change your voter registration.

But it can create serious health problems. And it can damage structural wood and concrete in your home. That’s nothing to giggle at.

Black mold poisoning can cause a wide range of symptoms, each worse than the last. You might experience some allergic reactions even though there are no triggers around. Or headaches that don’t seem to go away. At its worst, black mold poisoning can result in intense coughing, sometimes complete with bloody phlegm.

And because it’s attracted to the moisture in the dark and forgotten areas of your home, black mold can also do serious structural damage. Though it can grow anywhere, it can deal the most damage to wood and concrete. Because these are porous, the mold can dig deep into them, taking root in a way that may force you to replace beams, wall bearings or even parts of your foundation. But a professional mold removal company can help you deal with the problem. They’ll attack your black mold in five steps.

Assessment. Any mold removal company worth its fee won’t start working until they know how much mold is in your home, and where it is. Often, if they suspect the problem is severe enough, mold removal contractors will need to dig deep — so prepare to have furniture or stored boxes moved. They may even need to dig into a wall. But if he finds it, your mold inspector can show it to you (so you won’t get scammed). It shows up as a greenish-black mass.

Containment. Black mold removal means cordoning off the affected section of your home, so the problem doesn’t spread. Black mold reproduces by spreading spores into the air — so if those spores get relocated to another section of your home during the removal process, the whole game is a bust. So a good mold removal company will use lots of tape and plastic sheeting to keep the rest of your home uncontaminated.

Filtering. While the process is ongoing, the contractor will use air filtration devices with HEPA filters (the kind found in high-quality vacuum cleaners) to scrub the air clean. They might also wear air filters and goggles, making your home look like one of the more difficult levels of a science-fiction video game.

Removal. This is the hard part. If the black mold is on glass or plastic, cleaning up is easy, since those are nonporous. But if that’s the only mold in your home, you’re probably not calling in a mold removal company. If the infestation is bad enough, the contractors may have to remove parts of your home, like wood or chunks of concrete. So be prepared for the possibility of a subsequent repair job.

Structural Repairs. Fortunately, most really good mold removal companies will be qualified to repair any damage caused by black mold. More importantly, they’ll be able to prevent the mold from coming back, or recommend ways to do so.

Black Mold

Kevin Ott asked:




Toxic black mold. Yuck.

It sounds like the heartless, mindless killer in a science-fiction B-movie, chasing down amorous teenagers or unwitting scientists. That’s sort of what it looks like, too – only on a much smaller scale. Slimy and blackish-green, Stachybotrys atra or its cousin Stachybotrys chartarum reside in the dankest and most unpleasant parts of our homes: Hiding behind toilets in seldom-used bathrooms, clinging eerily to wet basement walls, or growing insidiously in the damp, nameless realms between walls.

Don’t worry too much. Black mold isn’t about to grow tentacles and drag you into the swamps as its unwilling next meal. But it can pose serious health risks if left unchecked. Like all mold, black mold releases spores to reproduce. If we inhale or swallow them, these spores can wreak havoc on our respiratory and digestive systems. It might not be the stuff of Stephen King novels, but for many Americans living in substandard housing or working in old, run-down buildings, toxic black mold is a real problem.

Here are seven signs your home might have a black mold problem.

You’ve recently had a basement flood, or you’ve got a serious basement leak. It’s a simple process: A big storm hits the area, drenching everything. The water overwhelms your sump pump, which finally gives up the fight, and your basement floods. Suddenly the conditions for black mold are considerably more hospitable. The flood doesn’t have to be one of epic proportions – a slightly wet basement is all it takes. Even after a flood, it can take several weeks or months to achieve a truly dry basement – making a perfect environment for black mold growth.

You can prevent this from happening by making a regular check of your basement – leaks can turn into floods if left unchecked. If you know you have a leaking basement, fix it (if you know how) or call a reliable basement waterproofing contractor.

There are musty or mildewy odors somewhere in your home. Black mold has a smell that’s hard to describe – sort of damp and musty, like you might expect a house to smell if it were uninhabited for a decade or so. But even if you detect the smell of black mold, it’s hard to tell where its source is.

But black mold is like an elephant – there are only so many places for it to hide. Look in damp, humid areas that aren’t well-ventilated or exposed to light. Look inside cabinets and beneath drywall. But most of all, check the basement – leaks in basements and crawl spaces have a higher incidence of mold growth than most other places.

You’re suffering allergy symptoms even though there don’t seem to be any triggers around. You know what your allergic to – cats, strawberries, maybe dust. But if none of your standard allergens seem to be around and you’re still having reactions or respiratory difficulties, black mold could be the culprit. Pretty much everyone has the same reaction to black mold spores in the air – sneezing, coughing, and runny, watery eyes. If your house is generally free of allergens, or you develop these symptoms despite not having any allergies, you may need to do some black mold testing.

One or more of your walls is discolored, or the paint is cracked and peeling. A good sign of excessive moisture is yellowish stains on walls and ceilings. If left unchecked, these yellow stains will develop green or black discolorations – a sure sign of toxic mold. Remediation should be a priority in situations like these – if you can plainly see the mold growing on the walls, the health risk is severe.

Your wooden floors are warped. Water sometimes collects in the gaps between improperly sealed floor slats. If there’s enough moisture present to warp the floors, there’s enough moisture present for Stachybotrys to grow. You’ll have to replace the floorboards anyway, so take the opportunity to call a mold removal company as well.

Your rain gutters have tiny trees growing in them. If the rain gutters on your home have any kind of plant life growing out of them, it means they’re blocked. And if they’re blocked, you might have water pooling and seeping in through your ceiling or your walls. In cases like these, leaking water can dampen the insulation between walls, making for a difficult and expensive repair or mold remediation job.

Of course, this is entirely preventable and easy to spot. Just make sure you clean out your rain gutters at least once a month or so – more often if there’s been an especially wet rainy season.

You’ve been getting headaches you can’t explain. One of the most common symptoms of black mold poisoning is repeated headaches, for which there seems to be no other cause. If you also feel frequently dizzy, or have trouble focusing or concentrating, go to the phone and make two calls

First, call a doctor. Sick Building Syndrome – the name for the collection of ailments associated with mold exposure – isn’t deadly, and isn’t likely to cause major problems if you catch it in time. If your symptoms do point to toxic mold poisoning, your doctor will know what to prescribe.

Second, call a qualified mold removal company. The process of mold remediation is a detailed and complex one. Most homeowners don’t have the know-how or the technology to perform a thorough mold and mildew removal when the problem is this big, so hiring contractors is really the only way to go here. If you leave the problem unchecked, you might soon find yourself facing the final item in our list…

You’re coughing a lot lately – and sometimes coughing up blood. This is one of the most advanced symptoms of black mold poisoning. Needless to say, if you’re coughing up blood, you should immediately get yourself to a doctor. But if the doctor tells you your illness is the result of inhaling the volatile organic compounds that are a result of toxic black mold, either your home or your workplace is almost certainly infested.

A final note: Black mold most often strikes poorly ventilated homes, or poorly ventilated areas within homes. If you’re building an addition onto your home, or embarking on a basement remodeling project, take the opportunity to be sure all the areas are properly ventilated and free of leaks.

Your body will thank you.

Black Mold

Maurice Manhattan asked:




Mold can be anywhere moist and humid. If not immediately gotten rid of, they could cause from mild up to life threatening health problems. This and many other reasons make mold removal an almost imperative step to maintain a safe and healthy home environment.

There are many sub-species under mold. This wide variety of molds makes home mold removal a crucial step as each variety can cause different negative health effects. Nonetheless, all must be eliminated.

One of the most hazardous of all molds is Stachybotrys atra. In generic, it is simple called as “black mold” because of its dark color. However, there are many other dark-colored molds that are not as dangerous as “black mold”.

This small similarity between molds produces confusion. As true “black molds” are greater threats, they require mold removal process that is of higher level and one that is sure to be effective. In order to apply the home mold removal process that is appropriate, true “black mold” must first be spotted from the rest, then come after the steps of how to get rid of it.

Basically, the best way to determine black mold is to employ professional help. With this, accurate identification can be made. And with that accuracy, right processes and methods of eliminating molds can be implemented.

If you look more closely and thoroughly into molds however, you, yourself will be able to identify if they are indeed black mold or not. The identification point is the place where they grow. Black molds often grow in areas or item that had been wet several times. The fact that those areas or items contain cellulose also adds to the identifying of black molds. Such items may include cardboard, wood, tiles and insulation.

Same with spotting-the-black-mold-process, seeking professional help is also the best way to get rid of them. The high toxicity of black molds is simply dangerous that even the mold removal process executor can be in a very high health risk. With all the gear and the equipments that professional mold specialists have, only them can sure perform a truly effective and safe work.

When it comes to the other confused black molds however, there are several steps that you can do all by yourself to get them eradicated. If done properly those molds can be successfully kept at bay. And what that means is a safer place for you and your family to live in.

Generally, all molds can be a threat to you and everybody else’s health. Especially if they are black molds, serious illnesses can be the effects. However, if you can properly identify them and employ the best means to get rid of them, you can be saved from all of their negative consequences.

Black Mold

Mandy Fain asked:




So, you have a black mold problem. You’ve checked and there it is. Your home is moldy and you need to get rid of it as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Small Jobs

If you have a little black mold growing somewhere, like the tiles or your bathroom or kitchen cabinets, removal is not such a headache.

Use a solution of bleach and water and scrub. Use only a little bleach, and don’t mix it with anything but water. Bleach is dangerous; it can damage things easily and irritate your eyes and nose. Use it with caution.

Another way to remove the mold is a hand scrub. A regular hand scrub works best. Get in there and scrub until you see that mold disappear. This may ofcourse be a bit tedious.

You can also disinfect hard surfaces that have been affected by mold by covering with your bleach solution and letting it sit for a while. If you do this, it will help keep the mold from coming back. Make sure to open windows and make sure there’s plenty of ventilation. The fumes are dangerous.

If you have books or other things that are infected with mold, there’s not much you can do. Before throwing them away, seal them up well with plastic. Make sure the mold doesn’t get out and have a chance to get into something else.

Big Jobs

For a big mold removal job, for example when you have large areas of water damage in your house, stronger precautions must be taken.

You will need to remove the moldy material from the house. In this case, lay out plastic all around the effected area as if you were going to paint. You don’t want those mold spores getting all over the place. Wear old clothes, a face mask and good gloves.

If you’re removing material such as wall material or other porous stuff, spray it first with water from a little spray bottle. If it’s dry when you remove it, it’s more likely to kick up spores and dust particles.

When you remove the mold infested material, put it into heavy plastic bags. It’s always a good idea to double bag. Take the bags out of the house through the nearest door or window. You don’t want to drag the plastic bags all over the house and risk contaminating other areas. When you’re finished, take the bags straight to the landfill.

During your cleanup, make sure everybody is out of the house. There may be mold spores in the air. As you work, take short breaks every so often. You may not feel it, but you will be exposing yourself to mold for an extended period of time.

Even Bigger Jobs

If it’s a serious construction project, have a professional do it. Also, if you suffer from severe mold allergies or asthma, it’s better to let somebody else do the work. It’s just not worth it to endanger your health.

We’re Not Done Yet

We’re almost finished, but there’s one more thing you have to consider. You have to locate the source of the mold growth and prevent it from growing there again. Look for leaking pipes or other sources of unwanted water. Any and all leakages must be plugged otherwise the mold will return to dealt with again.

Keep the room dry and well ventilated, and check periodically in the effected areas to see if it has come back for its revenge.

Black Mold

Rich Fuller asked:




Both AC units and air ducts make great places for mold to hang out.

With AC units, water leaks out of them and makes a nice place for mold. In these water pools mold grows, and then their spores are passed along through the ducts to every part of the house.

Your heating and cooling system also can suck air out of different parts of the house. This means that mold can be passed all over the place, every which way, by your ventilation system.

The HVAC unit that sits outside your home is perfect for mold, because there’s always water around it. Mold often grows in the unit’s water pools. The evaporator coil is also a major trouble spot.

How Can You Tell?

First, there are the regular mold symptoms which usually resemble sinus trouble; runny nose, stuffy nose, and sinus headache. If you can smell mold when you turn on or run the AC, you definitely have a mold problem there.

To make sure, you can always get a home testing kit from your hardware store. This might be a good idea anyway, and it can also tell you if the source of your mold troubles is your AC unit.

Take the testing gear and check each room. Check around all the vents. Also, check around the unit itself outside, especially where there is any standing water.

What Can You Do?

If you have mold in your air ducts, it doesn’t do much good to clean them. That’s not just my opinion; that’s what the EPA recommends. If you have mold in your ducts, it’s symptomatic of a mold problem elsewhere in the house, and until you address that, you won’t make any progress on the mold.

For the AC unit, you have to clean it on a regular basis to keep them mold free. Of course, you have to thoroughly clean up any mold that you find around the unit, or in the little pools of water around it.

In general, keep the fan mode switch on your AC on “auto” mode. If you put it on “on,” it will recirculate all that moisture that has collected on the evaporator coil through your house and air conditioning system. You don’t want to raise the humidity level of your house; that will cause mold problems all over.

If you are building a home or buying a new AC unit, look for one that has options to control the humidity. Some have variable speeds, or different modes like “moisture removal.” This will help greatly in controlling your house’s mold.

Another tip on picking an AC unit is that bigger machines usually increase humidity. For some reason, people generally choose oversized AC units for their homes. This is actually not a wise choice, because a bigger unit will create more moisture and circulate that moisture through your home.

If your heating and cooling system is infested with mold, you will probably have to call a professional and have the whole house tested and remediated.

Black Mold