Get Rid of Black Mold
Black mold, or Stachybotrys chartarum, is a dark greenish or black mold that grows in damp, poorly ventilated indoor environments, often occurring after flooding. While it can be eliminated, it often grows undetected for long periods, thus making its eradication more difficult. However, the dangers of its spores entering the air and causing a host of respiratory conditions warrant a full examination of all the nooks and crannies in which it may thrive and killing it at the source. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Don a face mask and gloves. Since the spores are particularly unhealthy for your lungs, don't begin any cleanup task until you're protected. Proper ventilation throughout the process is also important. Use an exhaust fan vented outside so that any escaping mold spores go outside.
2. Look beyond the mold you can see. Before you can eliminate mold, you need to find not only what is readily visible, but also what may be hidden. This involves getting down on your hands and knees, bellying into crawl spaces, pulling up rugs and maybe even pulling away old drywall.
3. Find the water. Unless you eliminate the cause of the mold--water and moisture--any efforts you make to remove it will be for naught. If you have a recurring water problem, you may need to find a plumber or landscaper to assess your property. Whether it's a leaking pipe or an improperly graded lawn, remedies are available. If it's merely a moist basement in April, run a dehumidifier. A moisture meter will determine the level of moisture in your air; you want a reading below 50 percent.
4. Seal off the mold-infected area from the rest of your house. If you're working in an area without a door, use plastic sheeting and duct tape to keep mold spores from traveling to other rooms. Keep the exhaust fan vented out.
5. Remove affected fabric, rugs and even drywall if necessary. If the walls have mold only on the surfaces, a good cleaning and repainting will probably be sufficient. However, if the walls are so saturated with moisture that they're pliable to the touch, you'll need to replace the affected sections.
6. Make a cleaning solution of 1 gallon water, 1 cup bleach and 2 tbsp. laundry detergent. Use it in a spray bottle or in a bucket with a rag. If you opt for the bucket, change the solution frequently. Wash the affected areas thoroughly, scrubbing when necessary. For tough stains, use a mild bleach-based scrubbing product such as Soft Scrub. Never use ammonia-based products with bleach.
7. Rinse the area. Towel it dry, and then allow it to dry fully.
8. Paint affected walls and ceilings with Kilz primer. Allow them to dry.
9. Paint over the primer and allow it to dry.
10. Run a dehumidifier when necessary. Maintain the area's humidity level at below 50 percent, and be on the lookout for recurring mold.
Tags: below percent, exhaust vented, mold spores, need find, when necessary