What do I do about Red and Black Mold growing in my Finished basement?
TONI C asked:
My friend rents a 3 story house with a finished basement with 1 bed room an office a kitchen a laundry room and a bathroom.
They recentlly had a flood and mold is growing. Most of the walls have drywall but some are cement/brick. The flood happened about 3 weeks ago and the water reached from 6 inches to a foot in some spots. The mold has grown from 1ft 1/2 to 2ft in some spots. It is Black and there are now Pink/Red spots forming all over the dry wall in the office.
Her landlord has seen the problem but has been delaying fixing the problem. He says it is not dangerous and tells her to just wash it off. What should be done? Should the carpet and dry wall be replaced? Is it dangerous to her and her kids?
Exposure Black Mold
My friend rents a 3 story house with a finished basement with 1 bed room an office a kitchen a laundry room and a bathroom.
They recentlly had a flood and mold is growing. Most of the walls have drywall but some are cement/brick. The flood happened about 3 weeks ago and the water reached from 6 inches to a foot in some spots. The mold has grown from 1ft 1/2 to 2ft in some spots. It is Black and there are now Pink/Red spots forming all over the dry wall in the office.
Her landlord has seen the problem but has been delaying fixing the problem. He says it is not dangerous and tells her to just wash it off. What should be done? Should the carpet and dry wall be replaced? Is it dangerous to her and her kids?
Exposure Black Mold
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It is a potentially dangerous problem.
Stachybotrys chartarum molds, the black one, are a known health risk and must be removed along with the source of the moisture or humidity. Ventillation is important.
A high percentage of people have mold allergies also, and this is a source of indoor pollution.
Some mycotoxins produced by molds are harmful to all people. Other mycotoxins cause immune system responses that vary considerably, depending on the individual. The duration of exposure is a key factor in triggering immune system response. Farm animals often die or suffer from mycotoxin poisoning. Mycotoxins resist decomposition from cooking, and remain in the food chain.
Mold spores can be allergenic. When inhaled, mold spores may germinate, attaching to cells along the respiratory tract and causing further problems in those with weak immune systems. One example is Stachybotrys chartarum which has been associated with sick building syndrome.
Infection by opportunistic pathogen molds such as Penicillium marneffei and Aspergillus fumigatus is a common cause of death among immunocompromised people, including AIDS patients
The good news is that it can be removed by a bleach solution.
How do you get the molds out of buildings, including homes, schools, and places of employment?
In most cases mold can be removed from hard surfaces by a thorough cleaning with commercial products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water. Absorbent or porous materials like ceiling tiles, drywall, and carpet may have to be thrown away if they become moldy. If you have an extensive amount of mold and you do not think you can manage the cleanup on your own, you may want to contact a professional who has experience in cleaning mold in buildings and homes. It is important to properly clean and dry the area as you can still have an allergic reaction to parts of the dead mold and mold contamination may recur if there is still a source of moisture.
If you choose to use bleach to clean up mold:
Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. Mixing bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products will produce dangerous, toxic fumes.
Open windows and doors to provide fresh air.
Wear non-porous gloves and protective eye wear.
If the area to be cleaned is more than 10 square feet, consult the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide titled Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. Although focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document also applies to other building types. You can get it free by calling the EPA Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse at (800) 438-4318, or by going to the EPA web site at. [external link]
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using bleach or any other cleaning product.
YES ! Get the kids out of there.. It is toxic black mold and can cause serious health problems even death . The drywall will all have to be replaces and the mold removed professionally. Contact your landlord. Don’t wait. Get some facts here
If you have Black mold you have the most Dangorous kind there is, you cannot just wipe it off, you need to remove the sourse completly, the mold you have can kill you.