Black Mold in Your Home: What to Do Plus Prevention Tips
If you’re a neat freak, you probably have all of your natural cleaning products on hand. You’ve mastered the art of washing a cotton face mask. You can clean a dishwasher in your sleep, your oven at the drop of a hat, and your washing machine regularly. Simply put, your cleaning abilities are the talk of the town. Nonetheless, black mold may emerge in even the cleanest bathrooms or basements, as well as in HVACs or attics, or essentially anywhere in the home where water gathers, and moisture abounds.
Black mold can be harmful to your health, mostly causing respiratory problems. However, black mold can cause pneumonia in extreme cases, especially in persons with pre-existing health issues. When you suspect a mold invasion, you shouldn’t hesitate to contact professional mold inspection and removal services to ensure the safety of your home.
What Is Black Mold?
A mold is a fungus that has microscopic spores. When the spores spread throughout a home, they grow and create colonies. Mold can also grow on food products, and can even be found in cheese and meat. There are many types of mold, but 1 in particular that can grow in your home. This particular black mold is known as Stachybotrys Chartarum or toxic black mold.
Stachybotrys Chartarum has the potential to grow on many different materials and surfaces. According to the CDC, Stachybotrys Chartarum only likes to grow on damp materials that have not been cleaned for a long time and are in poor condition.
Since many molds appear similar and exude a musty stench, expert testing is the only way to determine if your property is contaminated with black mold. Almost all varieties of mold that develop in big colonies in a house, on the other hand, can be detrimental to your respiratory system and should be eradicated, with precautions made to avoid regrowth.
How to Deal with Black Mold Exposure
If you find black mold in your house, there are actions you may do to reduce your exposure until the colony is removed.
1. Stop the Source of Moisture
Turn off the water or fix the leak if the mold is growing near a regularly leaking sink, tub, or toilet. Cover any leaks in the roof or windows with a plastic tarp until they can be fixed.
2. Close Off the Infested Area
When you have confirmed that the mold is growing, you may need to remove furniture, carpeting, and anything else in the area to prevent it from spreading.
3. Cover Your Mouth
You can wear a face mask to cover your mouth and nose, or you can simply create a barrier from non-porous material with a piece of painter’s tape. With a face mask, you will not have as much exposure to the mold.
4. Remove Items That Can’t be Sanitized
A trained professional will be able to tell you whether or not an object can be salvaged and cleaned.
5. Clean All Surfaces
Cleaning with a diluted bleach solution will remove the mold and stop the spread.
Preventing Black Mold Growth
Black mold growth can be prevented by keeping moisture levels down.
1. Fix leaks
Leaks and standing water can cause mold to grow.
2. Ventilate the area
Leaking pipes or a constantly running toilet can cause mold to grow.
3. Improve Ventilation
Improving ventilation in your home will help remove excess moisture.
4. Clean Regularly
When you clean regularly and use a dehumidifier, you can prevent mold from growing in your home.
5. Install Moisture Barriers
Basements and crawl spaces are notorious for retaining a lot of moisture. Install moisture barriers and utilize specialist coatings where necessary to ensure that moisture from the soil does not enter the room.
Conclusion
Black mold is dangerous and should be treated with caution. When you find black mold in your home, hire a professional to do the work for you. Most importantly, keep your mind open to new knowledge and what it can do for you. Mold is a serious threat, and by knowing how to identify it and how it can affect you, you can keep yourself and your family safe.
Blossom and Broom is a home and lifestyle blog creating the most ingenious and helpful home decor, maintenance, and cleaning tips for the everyday American. We specialize in home and garden aesthetics, giving readers tips and tricks into beautifying their homes with simple yet elegant touches. Browse our blog for more home renovation tips!
