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Black Mold Treatment – A Dangerous Task!
Black mold is not only unsightly in your home but it can also be dangerous. This stuff is capable of causing all kinds of illness in anyone who is exposed to it over a period of time. If you discover areas in your home or work place affected with black mold it is essential that swift action is taken and treatment started to prevent the problem spreading and also to safe guard your health and that of others sharing the affected accommodation.
Black mold treatment must begin by finding the source of the problem. The fungus – correct name Stachybotrys chart arum or Stachybotrys atra will only flourish in damp conditions therefore it is essential that the source of the dampness is pinpointed. The usual cause is poor building maintenance – water is allowed to seep into the building from broken guttering, leaking roofs, dripping pipes or the atmosphere in the building contains excess humidity which in turn creates condensation.
Black Mold Growth
Once the cause of the dampness has been put right the damage can be accessed and the black mold treatment can begin.
If you are fortunate enough to have only a small area affected by the mold you should be able to carry out the mold treatment yourself. If the damage is extensive the only option really is to call in professionals in mold remediation. The reason for this is that by exposing yourself to large amounts of mold without the proper equipment and protective gear you really are asking for trouble. Exposure like this can lead to major health issues which may include – skin rashes, vomiting, diarrhoea, breathing problems and then there is the possibility it could kill you! So please play safe.
Before tackling the black mold treatment even on a small area it is essential that you are kitted out with disposable gloves, a respiratory mask and eye protection. You must ensure you have as little contact with the mold as possible.
There are a number of things you can use to treat the mold, however the last thing you want is toxic chemicals – let’s face it the mold is toxic enough on its own!
Here are a few examples of black mold treatments
Vinegar – Cheap and plentiful and a great way to remove mold. Simply spray on to the affected area, leave for a while then wipe with a damp cloth. The only real problem with this black mold treatment is the pungent odour from the vinegar.
Tea Tree Oil – A solution of water and a few drops of tea tree oil in a spray bottle, again spray the affected area and leave to sit. Again this treatment can be a bit smelly and also quite expensive but a little tea tree oil goes a long way. The solution you make up will also stay good for an indefinite period of time so it can be re-used over and over again.
Grapefruit Seed Oil – this is used in the same way as tea tree oil. Make a solution in a spray bottle and apply to the black mold and allow to dry. Like the tea tree oil, grapefruit seed oil is expensive but it too goes a long way. The huge advantage here is that it is completely odourless.
Commercial Mold Treatments – These are readily available. Be careful however, which you choose some can be as toxic as the mold itself! There are some on the market which are non toxic and can safely be used around children and pets.
You will notice that all of these black mold treatments involve spraying the mold with product this is because it is vital that dry mold spores are not allowed to escape into the atmosphere. With this in mind do not be tempted to brush or in anyway remove dry mold. This too will have detrimental effects on your health and others that of others sharing the same building.
The next step is to again allow the area to dry out completely, this is important to prevent mold returning. So, open windows, turn on heating or use a dehumidifier
- remember mold is a living organism and need moisture to flourish remove the moisture and it cannot survive.
Here’s to success in your black mold treatment!
