OVERVIEW
If you have mold in your home, one of the most asked questions that people ask is, what is this black mould? What does it do and How to remove it? Some people are not bothered about black mold, they don’t realise that it can cause serious health problems. It is important to watch out for any mould growing inside your house, especially if you live in a humid environment.
Black mould removal is crucial in maintaining a healthy atmosphere at your home. A common notion we find among people is that they think black mould only grows on walls, ceilings and in corners of the kitchen and bathroom. The truth is, black mould can grow at any place that provides a suitable environment for it to thrive. Other places where it can grow are the basement, under the sink, in the attic, near water tanks and around water pipes that leak. It can be a little tricky to remove, but if you apply the right techniques, you should be able to control it. Here, we have tried to cover some black mould removal methods you can apply based on where it is growing. But first, let’s answer some common questions.
WHAT IS BLACK MOULD?
Black mould is a species of fungi. Its scientific name is “Stachybotrys”.It thrives in areas that are moist and warm. To put it simply, black mould is a microscopic organism that has black colour.
WHAT CAUSES IT?
Just like common mould, black mould grows by consuming moisture deposited inside tiny pores of a structure. They migrate into households through plant debris and soil. Black mould is considered toxic as it causes serious implications on health and hygiene. Toxic black mold requires materials that are high in cellulose like plants and soil. It also needs an excessive amount of moisture. We have l
isted some common causes of black mould in homes.
Water Damage
• Poor Ventilation
• Flooding
• Lack of maintenance
• Humidity
• Blocked Gutters
• Wet Clothes and Carpets
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GROW?
Black mould does not grow as fast as other types of mould. It needs the supporting material to be very wet for more than a week.
Spores of common mould take just a couple of days to colonise any spot ideal for growth, but toxic black mould usually takes around ten days. Once it starts colonising, it eliminates any other type of moulds growing nearby. This is why you would probably never see them together.
COMMON PLACES WHERE IT GROWS & IDENTIFYING MOLD
Although black mould can grow where ever it finds suitable conditions, there are some places in homes where it is commonly seen. These places are;
• Basement
• Underneath Kitchen and Bathroom Sinks
• In house plumbings
• Storage Rooms
• Around Air Conditioning Units
• Around walls that leak
HEALTH HAZARDS – SIGNS OF BLACK MOULD SICKNESS
You might be thinking “Can exposure to mold make you sick?” And if so, then what would the signs? Well, the health effects of black mould cover a wide range of problems. Most of the problems are related to respiratory response. The signs are allergies, sneezing, running nose, coughing, wheezing while non-respiratory problems such as rashes, redness of eyes and irritation in eyes. These are all the signs of black mould sickness. Allergic reactions may arise as soon as the body comes into contact with the spores blown in the air by the black mould. If you or anyone in your house is experiencing these symptoms, you may need immediate medical assistance. To minimise the health risks, you must get it removed as soon as possible.
PREPARATION FOR BLACK MOULD REMOVAL
Now that you know what a black mould is, and how dangerous it can be for your health, let’s get down to the removal process. But before you attempt to remove it yourself, you will need to do some preparation & cleaning products.
I. VENTILATION
First thing is to make sure your home or the room where you are going to carry out black mould removal is properly ventilated. This is because black mould releases spores as a survival move. These spores are extremely toxic and are released even faster when someone attempts to remove the mould. Before you begin, make sure to open up all the windows, vents and doors. You can also use drying fans to improve ventilation.
II. SAFETY GEAR
Safety comes first. Even though you have a proper ventilation system installed, your lungs are still vulnerable to the toxic spores. Cover your face with a surgical mask and goggles. Wear work gloves to protect your skin from abrasive substances used in the cleaning process. You may also want to wear an apron just to protect your clothes.
III. CLEANING MATERIALS
After ensuring all safety measures are checked, it is time to choose the cleaning material. Here is what you will need.
• A spray bottle
• Pieces of micro fibre cloth
• Hot water
• Baking Soda
Prepare a mixture of hot water and baking soda. One tablespoon of baking soda should be enough to prepare a full spray bottle. You can also purchase black mould removal products from nearby DIY stores.
BLACK MOULD REMOVAL IN BATHROOM
The bathroom is like a haven for all types of mould to grow. It is often less ventilated, has high moisture and suitable humidity which makes the perfect environment for black mould to grow. The particular hot-spots include the bathtub, shower and the basin as we mentioned earlier. Spray the mixture of hot water and soda on these spots and wipe it out with a piece of clothing. You can also use bleach instead of baking soda on tiles and ceramics for faster cleaning.
BLACK MOULD REMOVAL IN KITCHEN
Black mould can be found near the sink, refrigerator and dishwashers. Make sure to remove all appliances to uncover any hidden mould. Do not use a bleach-based solution near wooden surfaces like the cupboards. Bleach is corrosive to wood. Instead, go with the alternative approach.
BLACK MOULD REMOVAL IN BASEMENT
This can be a challenging task. You may easily remove any small spots where black mould is present. However, if it has grown to such an extent where you think a spray bottle is not enough, you may require additional equipment. We suggest that you leave it to a professional mould removal service. Another reason is that it is difficult to ensure proper ventilation in the basement without a special apparatus. A professional mould removal company has the right equipment for the job.
SPECIALIST BLACK MOULD REMEDIATION
Rainbow International is the UK’s leading specialists in black mould remediation. We provide a satisfactory diagnostic process with a plan for removal action to ensure the mould problem is eradicated.
We carry out a full property survey to assess the risk factors that may arise from dampness and any mould. We inspect both the external and internal parts of the property to find the underlying causes of mould. Find the full description of our mould removal service here.
You can share this information social media and let your friends and family know about Black mould removal. If you are looking at hiring a professional to get help on damp and mould problems, call us on 01375 888350. Our friendly staff is available 24/7 to respond to any emergency cleaning and restoration work.
