Black Mold

guardianpreserv asked:

Don’t get sick! Learn how to stop mold from growing in your home this winter. Our mold removal and mold inspection experts have the mold removal tips you need to help keep your home safe, healthy, and mold free. www.guardianpreservation.com

Black Mold

sarah asked:


i live in a 2 bedroom apartment in raleigh nc. my apartment has black mold growth in the bathroom, which i know is toxic. ive complained several times for them to redo the bathroom, they cut a piece of wall out n replaced it, (they didnt even bother to paint it) and within a week it came back. also my ceilin has water damage and pieces of it are falling down. ive been begging them to fix this for over 3 months now. does anyone know where i can go to get help. thanks in advance

Black Mold

Sarah Osborne asked:




There have been a lot of confusion as to whether chlorine bleach has the ability to get rid of mold and sanitize the infested areas for permanent results. The verdict is out, and it is proven to be ineffective for long lasting results as black mold removal since it is not able to totally uproot and kill all mold spores and prevent multiplication. In fact, bleach is only good for changing the color of the mold and watering the mold spores and roots. And there is an issue of wear and tear accelerated by chlorine bleach speeding up the corrosion of materials as well as wearing down the fibers in the porous materials. In fact, chorine bleach is not endorsed by EPA as a sanitizing agent to get rid of mold in the black mold removal process.

While it is true that chlorine bleach kills bacteria and viruses, it has not been effective when used to get rid of mold on non-porous surfaces. The key reason is that bleach itself is 99 percent water and water is the main component that the infamous fungus thrives and multiplies. Common scenarios are such that when liquid bleach is used on them, they multiply within a short period twice the amount than the original before the process.

Chlorine bleach simply does not penetrate into drywall and wood, only staying on the surface while mold continues to multiply inside the said construction materials. As liquid bleach is used, the liquid content continues to feed mold growth, rather than kill them and this literally causes the intense growth instead, hence spreading the problem even more then ever.

Chlorine bleach is incapable of get rid of mold by killing its roots. While many mold removal companies resort to strong but proprietary chemical agents to for mold cleanup which enables users to uproot the problem once and for all. These agents are often not bleach which is considered mild disinfectants largely used in the kitchen, bathrooms as well as laundry.

Any potency of chlorine bleach is literally diminished over time, from the moment they are manufactured and bottled into their plastic containers. Liquid bleach tends to loss more than half of its killing power even when unopened, after just three months from the moment they are bottled. The main reason is that chlorine is capable to escaping through the plastic containers.

Finally, chlorine bleach gives off pungent and harmful gases that are health risks to humans and animals. It contains a key component of dioxin, which has been established by studies to be one of the most toxic synthetic chemical known to man. Extensive use can cause severe health hazards inclusive of cancer.

Bleach is indeed an old approach which our older generations used for mold cleanup to get rid of mold. Unfortunately, its popularity is probably due to the fact that it is still believed to be the most handy black mold removal product easily available. There are other more effective and less health threatening cleansing agents for mold abatement like borate which we shall discuss in the next article.

Black Mold

Gerard K. Lawson asked:




However, when exposed to toxic mold, people may experience more severe symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, nervous system disorders, and even organ malfunction. Memory loss, immune system abnormalities, and even damage to the brain have also been recorded.

The most common type of toxic mold comes from the genus Stachybotrys. Other mold genera notorious for effecting debilitating symptoms in individuals are Penicillium, Chaetomium, Fusarium, Aspergillus, Acremonium, and Alternaria. Some of the more usual symptoms of a mold infection are sneezing, coughing, dryness in the throat, irritation of the eyes and the skin, nasal congestion, and headache.

Where is black mold found?

This fungus thrives in moist, dark places and are frequently discovered in rooms which aren’t properly ventilated. The attic, for instance, may be subject to moisture because of possible leaks in the roof. When moisture enters the attic and settles on old furniture, books, or old clothes, black mold may soon grow and multiply.

The danger of black mold in this case lies in the possibility of it being agitated at some time. If the homeowner visits the attic looking for an old costume, for instance, the black mold that has been silently thriving may be disturbed and in the process, its spores are spread all throughout the area.

In spaces such as this, the windows are usually closed to protect the belongings from the elements, but actually, the situation becomes worse when there is no proper ventilation in the room.

If there are any belongings exposed to moisture, they are hardly given enough chance to dry because natural air is not made to circulate in storage areas such as attics or basements.

Black mold growth is not limited to the interior areas of the home; shrubs and other greenery may also be infested by black mold, and this is apparent in the grey color it leaves on the plant’s leaves. However, unlike contamination in the home, affected shrubbery can easily be cleaned by hosing it down with water and perhaps wiping the leaves with an ordinary washcloth to rid it of the ghastly grey coloration that black mold causes.

You can also apply a fungicide that is effective in eliminating black mold yet does not carry the danger of black mold fungicides. Even exterior sidings can hold mold growth, but these can easily be cleaned with detergent and water.

The danger of black mold exposure becomes even more pronounced in people with histories of asthma. For them, even small amounts of spores that are inhaled can trigger a severe asthma attack. And we all know that serious cases cannot be remedied by a simple inhaler.

Individuals who are allergic to pollen are also vulnerable to the danger of black mold exposure. Mold spores that get into their respiratory system can give rise to serious reactions that may require hospital treatment. In addition, when black mold spores come in contact with the skin and the eyes, the irritation could last for a long period.

Black Mold

Jeffrey S Casey asked:




Black mold is a problem people have been dealing with for years. However, it hasn’t been until recently that we are beginning to understand the negative impact it can have in our lives. Toxic types of mold do not discriminate and they are quite common. Black mold, in particular, has caused numerous health problems ranging from headaches and dizziness to full on breathing difficulties requiring hospitalization. It is for this reason, entire schools and workplaces have been shut down for mold treatment.

How to Identify Black Mold

This type of mold has a greenish-black appearance and a slimy texture. It can be difficult to judge by appearance alone if mold growth is black mold, but can be a good indication that it requires removal. No matter the color of texture of mold, it should be considered dangerous as any mold in the home will be spreading spores which may be toxic. A musty or moldy smell can often be the first sign and a good indication that there is a mold problem in the home.

Black mold often colonizes on porous organic surfaces such as drywall, ceiling tiles and carpet. It is especially at home on drywall which has sustained a continuous bout of water and humidity levels consistently over 60 percent. Identifying which type of mold is present is an important step in determining how to remove the problem. It is widely assumed this is an expensive process. However, there are inexpensive ways of testing for toxic mold which can be done yourself. Keep reading for how to test whether you have a toxic or mild mold problem.

Symptoms of Toxic Black Mold Poisoning

If you have a black mold problem in the home, even at small degree, it is likely someone will be affected. These spores are high-level allergens producing mycotoxins which flow through the air, your air/heating system and will be inhaled into the lungs. Short term problems include headaches, colds, flu, frequent sinus infections and respiratory problems. Long term, the effects of toxic mold poisoning are still being studied, however, the results we do have are not good. Memory loss, weakness, permanent respiratory difficulties and possible debilitating disease. It is best to not take any chances. If you suspect a mold problem go first to the source.

Where to Start

A water leak or problem is the appropriate place to begin when it comes to an obvious or suspected mold growth. In some cases, this may result in a plumber coming to the home to repair any damage from busted pipes, leaking shower stalls or a broken water heater. Having to hire a professional plumber should be considered as a necessity when the job is out of the scope of the home owners expertise. Like mold growth itself, putting this off will only result in further damages to your home and a decline in health.

Once the leak issue is fixed, you may consider testing for the severity and type of mold.

How to Test for Mold Growth

Testing for black mold or any toxic mold can be done in two ways. Surface testing or air sample testing.

Surface testing usually consists of applying a strip of sticky tape to an exposed mold surface then sampling for the type. This is an easy way to test for whether you are dealing with toxic mold but is not effective in determining the severity of the problem and in many situations, actual mold growth can be out of view.

Air sampling draws particles into a reservoir to allow for organic testing of mold spores. This is an effective way to test for mold growth concentration leading to an assessment of how much mold you are dealing with and the type involved. Do keep in mind that in many cases, different types of toxic mold can coexist even within the same colony.

The most effective measure of mold sampling is a combination of both methods. By doing a little research, one can find cost effective do it yourself mold testing kits of good enough quality to at least rule out the consideration of having a professional mold remediation company consulted.

Black Mold Removal

Black mold or any toxic mold for that matter can be removed safely by home owners when the surface area affected is less than three by three feet. If you suspect dealing with a larger problem than this, a mold removal company may be consulted to come out to your home for an inspection and estimation of cost.

If you decide to remove toxic mold yourself, you should begin by turning off your air/heating unit. Not doing so will result in spores being distributed all about your home where they can form additional colonies of growth. If the mold problem is in a bathroom, you may have an exhaust fan which can be turned on to help funnel any spores released during cleaning to the outside. If no exhaust fan is available, try creating a draft through an open window.

Always seal off the area in which you are removing dangerous molds. This can be done by sealing off the area with polyethylene sheets and tape. The purpose of this step is for containment, as it is of highest priority.

Using a mixture of soap and water, gently remove the mold from the surface area. Afterward, apply a coating of mold disinfectant to the area it once was and a wider area several feet out to ensure all spores have been disinfected. Dormant mold spores can live on for several years, so it’s important to kill all you can.

If the surface you are cleaning is damaged permanently, it may need replaced completely. Although, this isn’t always necessary. However, because the are porous, wet drywall or ceiling tiles which have become warped and moldy through constant moisture will most likely need replacing.

A dehumidifier can be used to both dry out an area after clean up and keep humidity levels below 60 percent continuously to prevent further mold growth. Consider relative humidity sensors as well since no part of the home will have the same humidity level present. Both of these can be purchased for a reasonable cost.

Black mold can end up being a huge cost and health problem if it is left to grow without interruption. Take action as soon as you see or smell any mold, assume it’s dangerous. Your home and family will thank you for it with good health.

Black Mold