Black mold isn’t just an unsightly houseguest but a serious issue that can lead to structural damage and health hazards like respiratory problems. Fond of high humidity levels and organic matter, mold grows quickly. If not treated correctly and expeditiously, it can become a major issue.
As soon as you find black mold, call experts like PacWest Restoration for total black mold removal — and complete peace of mind.
What is Black Mold?
Stachybotrys chartarum, also known as black mold, is a greenish-black mold that thrives on materials with a high cellulose content, such as wood, drywall, or plaster. It prefers damp, humid conditions, which is why it’s a common problem on bathroom ceiling tiles, in kitchens, and behind washing machines.
Black mold reproduces by sending out airborne spores that will settle on other surfaces and create colonies of their own. These colonies grow exponentially, with one small moldy area turning into a huge issue within a few weeks. If the spores settle in your air conditioner or HVAC system, they can quickly reproduce throughout the whole house, making it important to act quickly to remove mold before it takes over the house.
Experts such as the Centers for Disease Control, Environmental Protection Agency, and World Health Organization agree that mold removal is necessary regardless of color or classification. You do not need to perform extensive mold testing to identify the exact species, only to ensure that all the mold has been eradicated.
Only a professional mold remediation company has the tools and skills to ensure complete black mold removal. Therefore, it is crucial that you rely on those with the proper know-how to banish this dangerous pest.
Is Black Mold Dangerous?
Black mold can cause serious health risks because it releases mycotoxins, which are toxic mold spores that create allergic reactions in vulnerable individuals. These reactions can range from simple runny noses to serious neurological problems like confusion, brain fog, and lethargy.
Even worse, the surface mold can go much deeper and begin to break down organic materials such as wood, plaster, and drywall. This could lead to structural damage that is not only very dangerous but also very expensive to repair.
How Does Black Mold Appear?
Like most other mold species, Stachybotrys chartarum requires consistent moisture to thrive. A few drops of water will not encourage mold growth, but long-term standing water or repeated condensation will.
This means that it is most often found in damp, humid areas, particularly those that are relatively shady. They’re commonly found around leaky pipes or an exhaust fan that expels hot, wet air, such as in a bathroom or even a kitchen.
Where Does Black Mold Appear?
Anywhere that has consistently high moisture levels is vulnerable to mold growth, making it important to keep an eye on potentially moldy areas throughout the home. These are the most common areas where we’re called to perform mold remediation.
Walls
If you have water damage lurking behind your walls, it’s more than likely that there will be some black mold spores setting up shop there, too. Particularly vulnerable areas include walls in areas with high humidity, such as bathrooms and laundry rooms.
Wood
Wood surfaces are some of the most common victims of black mold. This is because they are porous organic materials that provide both nutrition and cover for mold. Wood cannot be sterilized, making mold cleanup difficult.
Windows
Oregon is renowned for its consistently damp weather, exposing windows and other entry spaces to copious condensation throughout the year. This encourages mold growth both on the exterior of the home and, if there are any broken seals, the interior as well. You should always quickly remedy leaks around your windows to prevent mold growth.
Attics, Basement, and Crawlspaces
Areas like attics, basements, and crawl spaces often develop significant mold issues because they tend to remain undisturbed for long periods of time. Moisture on surfaces attracts mold spores floating freely through the air, which then settle and build large colonies before the homeowner notices.
Leaky Pipes
Water damage due to leaky pipes can quickly attract large amounts of black mold if it’s not immediately rectified. Regardless if this is a dripping garden sprayer that was not shut off and capped before the winter frost or a busted pipe — any amount of water damage will likely require mold remediation.
How to Get Rid of Mold
Whenever you see surface mold, you need to act fast to remove moisture and kill the spores so they won’t spread. While it’s possible to perform mold removal on your own for very small instances, this may lead to resurgences if you’re not thorough enough.
It’s always best to get professional mold remediation in order to ensure that you’re completely rid of black mold. However, if you have a small area that you need to take care of, follow these steps to rid your home of this nasty fungus.
Tools and Materials
Most of the tools necessary to eradicate visible mold are inexpensive and easy to purchase. They include:
- Bucket
- Stiff bristle brush or scrub brush
- Vinegar and baking soda, or hydrogen peroxide
- Dehumidifiers and fans
- Plastic sheeting
- Wet vac
Protective Gear
You must wear protective clothing during mold removal in order to protect your eyes, nose, and mouth. Wearing old clothes is a good idea, as mold removal can be messy, and you may just wish to throw the clothing out instead of risking getting mold spores in your washing machine.
Your protective clothing kit should include:
- N-95 respirator
- Eye goggles
- Heavy-duty rubber gloves
- Rubber boots
- Long-sleeved shirt and pants
- Shower cap
If you would like to ensure total protection, you can purchase a full-body cleaning suit from a home improvement store. When you wear protective gear, you will need to either sanitize it or throw it away after use. Be sure to take a shower after you remove mold, too.
Dry Out Wet Areas
To get rid of black mold, you need to remove the moisture sources that help it thrive. Start by opening up windows and setting up fans to get more air circulation. Remove water with a shop vac, then blot the remaining moisture with rags, bathroom towels, and paper towels. Run a dehumidifier, which will draw water from the air to be disposed of.
Make sure to thoroughly clean and sanitize the shop vac, dehumidifier, and any porous material you used to sop up the water so that they don’t further contaminate your space.
Clean the Black Mold Off Surfaces
Removing visible mold is best done with hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, or vinegar. Hydrogen peroxide is good for small moldy areas, as you can simply spray it onto the surface, wait for it to stop bubbling, and then wipe away. It kills mold by oxidizing the cells, causing them to break down.
When you have a larger area, you can use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Both kill mold on their own but work even better together. You’ll mix two parts baking soda to one part water and vinegar, then stir until it becomes a thick paste. You will then apply this to the affected materials, let sit, wipe, and rinse with warm water.
You may see suggestions about adding one cup of bleach to one gallon of water to create a bleach and water solution. However, contrary to popular wisdom, you should not use a chlorine bleach solution to clean mold, particularly on porous materials like wood surfaces or moldy drywall.
What is commercially sold as bleach is actually a bleach and water solution, meaning that once the bleach evaporates, the remaining water becomes a moisture source and exacerbates the mold problem. While bleach is safe to use on hard surfaces, it will not work on porous, moldy surfaces.
As a final note on bleach, never mix bleach with other cleaning products, even if it’s not contraindicated. It can easily cause very serious chemical reactions that lead to health risks.
Remove Moldy Items
Wet items that have been infested with mold will need to be removed, as it is incredibly difficult to sanitize them without spreading mold spores even further throughout the home. This includes damp wood, soaked insulation, damaged upholstery, and wet fabrics. If you have a very large area of mold infestation that has penetrated deep into the structure of the home, you should call a remediation company to assist you.
When Should I Use Black Mold Remediation Services?
Professional mold remediation is always a good idea, but it is essential in a few circumstances. If you have water damage due to flooding, whether from a burst pipe or a rainstorm, you need professionals to perform structural drying and replace damaged materials. They can also apply treatments that will eradicate mold and prevent it from returning.
If you have tried to remove a mold issue on your own but it returned, this means that you didn’t get all of the spores and will need a more robust treatment. We can perform testing to make sure that we’ve gotten as much of the mold as possible, preventing it from returning.
Finally, if you have more than a few square feet of mold damage, it’s time to call PacWest Restoration. It will be incredibly hard to kill all of the fungus on your own, putting you at risk of further infestations.
When you need fast, efficient, and affordable mold treatment, call PacWest Restoration at 503-746-6545 or contact us online 24/7. We have decades of experience in mold eradication and are ready to make sure your home is safe again.
Black Mold Remediation FAQs
What kills black mold spores?
Baking soda and vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and even borax and water have the power to kill black mold spores. While a chlorine bleach solution can kill some mold and bacteria, it’s not as effective as the other options on this list.
Experts like the Environmental Protection Agency note that because bleach has numerous adverse health effects, including respiratory damage, it’s best to go with a safer and less toxic alternative if you’re not properly trained.
How harmful is black mold?
Black mold can be incredibly hazardous, especially to vulnerable individuals like children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. It can lead to asthma attacks, rashes, respiratory ailments, and even neurological effects such as confusion, fatigue, and dizziness. It’s a major indoor pollutant that must be professionally destroyed, particularly if you have children or senior citizens in the household.
How to prevent black mold growth?
The most effective way to prevent black mold is to deprive it of moisture and organic materials that it needs to survive. Have leaking pipes cared for immediately, making sure to sanitize the area after it’s been replaced. Check for leaks, both by visual inspection and by assessing your water bill for unusual spikes.
Ensure adequate airflow in humid environments such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens by installing vents and fans. Run a dehumidifier, particularly during the summer, and be sure to clean it out regularly so that mold doesn’t decide to make a home there.
While it’s impossible not to have some organic building materials in your home, you can make them less attractive to mold species by applying waterproofing. This is especially true in areas that get a lot of moisture, like in kitchens. If you remain vigilant, you can spot any issues before they become a serious danger.
Can I stay in my house with black mold?
It’s not a good idea to stay on a property that currently has a black mold infestation. The longer you breathe it in, the more likely you are to have health effects. Do your best to leave and wait until professionals clear the infestation for you.
While we understand it’s not always possible to leave your home while the issue is taken care of, you can take some steps to protect yourself. Seal off any area that has black mold growing using plastic sheets and tape. Try to avoid entering the area as much as possible. If you do have to go in, cover your eyes, nose, and mouth with a mask and goggles, then remove and sanitize any clothing you are wearing.
Don’t run air conditioners in that part of the home, as this will just exacerbate the issue and allow spores to colonize other areas. In the meantime, have strong airflow in the rest of the living space and run dehumidifiers to keep humidity levels low.
