Black mold is a fungus that thrives in dark, moist areas of your home that are not properly ventilated. Popular places for mold growth include attics, basements, and especially bathrooms. All black mold needs to survive is a water source to help it grow and multiply and a surface that is not kept clean and dry.
Should you find some black mold in your home, you can certainly attempt to remove it on your own, with some precautions. There are numerous commercial cleaning products out there that are meant for black mold removal. You may also try a bleach solution of no more than one cup of bleach in a gallon of water.
If you do use bleach, open all doors and windows for proper ventilation and use protective eyewear. Do NOT mix a commercial cleaning product with bleach: you can create toxic fumes and endanger yourself!
If mold has appeared on absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, drywall, or carpet, it is often best to throw them away. Black mold is the most toxic type of mold and can cause serious health problems such as:
- Skin inflammation
- Irritation to the mucous membranes
- Damage to internal organs
- Mental impairment
- Nausea
- Tiredness
If the black mold infestation spans more than ten square feet, you may want to consider contacting a black mold removal specialist. Mold removal in Baltimore is fairly common given our milder, more humid climate during the summers and proximity to water sources. An added benefit of contacting a mold removal specialist is lessening the chance of agitating black mold, which can cause spores to spread and further contaminate your home and health.
Some things you can do to prevent black mold:
- Use an air conditioner or dehumidifier during humid months to keep humidity levels in your house below 50%
- Use ventilation systems such as exhaust fans in a kitchen or a bathroom to help prevent mold growth
- Clean your bathroom with mold-killing products
- Do not carpet your bathroom
- Remove and replace flooded carpets
If you have found evidence of mold in your home, whether it is black or otherwise, it is important that you have it checked out and removed immediately. In addition to preserving your family’s health, mold removal can save you costly expenditures in repairs or renovation to your home down the line.
Contact your local Baltimore mold removal company to take care of your mold problem at 866-420-MOLD (6653) or visit MoldHelpOnline.com today!
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Sources: http://www.cdc.gov/mold/stachy.htm
http://blackmold.awardspace.com/black-mold-toxic-stachybotrys-mycotoxins.html
http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldresources.html
http://www.moldhelponline.com/blog/mold-removal-baltimore/black-mold-removal-baltimore/
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