Black Mold: A Common Yet Preventable Danger
There are quite a lot of different types of mold. Some are found indoors and some are more prone to growing outdoors. While many molds can cause allergic reactions, there are some molds that are very dangerous to our health. One such mold is stachybotrys chartarum, more commonly known as Black Mold.
Stachybotrys chartarum is a pollutant. It produces toxins which are extremely harmful. It’s referred to as black mold because it appears to be black in color. It is normally found on damp or wet materials that contain cellulose which can be found in many different areas of both homes and offices. Material like wood, cotton, paper, drywall, fiberboard are all possible breeding grounds for black mold.
There are steps that can be taken to prevent the growth of black mold. Since mold loves wet, damp, moist areas, its important to keep things as dry as possible. Starting in the bathroom, which is a highly common area for the growth of black mold, be sure there is proper ventilation. Open a window when showering, and keep it open until the shower dries out. Purchase a squeegee and wipe down shower walls to speed the drying process. Another benefit of this is that it helps keep shower doors streak free. If there is no window or if you live in a humid environment and opening a window is not an option in the summer months, be sure to run the bathroom fan during and after showering. Many people are under the assumption that once the shower water is turned off, there’s no further need for ventilation. This is a huge mistake because the ventilation is imperative during the drying process. Leave shower doors open or shower curtains pulled halfway open (all the way will prevent the water from drying on the curtain itself) until the shower is dry. This will allow air to circulate.
Black mold also accumulates on window sills. Open blinds and curtains often to allow the sun to hit window sills and to allow air to flow behind them. If there is a leak from a roof or window or skylight, be sure to have it completely dried as soon as possible because black mold thrives under these conditions. Run a ceiling fan or a direct fan on the wet area and don’t forget the attic above the ceiling when checking for dryness.
Once black mold is discovered, it’s imperative that action is taken to remove it however, it must be done properly. Humans can die from exposure to black mold. Proper steps for black mold removal must be taken immediately. One thing to keep in mind is this: Avoid using bleach! Bleach seems like it will kill black mold, but it does not kill the roots which is the most important part of getting rid of black mold. Once bleached white, you may not realize it’s growth and this can become dangerous. Instead, purchase a black mold removal cleaning product. It is sold in grocery stores and building supply and hardware stores and is not terribly expensive. Using a squirt bottle, wet down the area – do not scrub it when dry. The reason is that dry scrubbing can release mold spores into the air and into your lungs. Open a window and/or turn on a fan. Follow the manufacturer’s instruction on the bottle. These instructions usually just call for spraying the product and allowing it to penetrate and then removing the mold. Again, follow the instructions on the bottle carefully.
Of course, this is only for small easily accessed areas of black mold. For bigger areas, stop – leave the area – call a profession black mold removal company. It’s not wise to tackle large areas of black mold on your own. It’s dangerous to your health and to the health of the other occupants of your home. A black mold removal company will remove the mold and guarantee their work. Don’t be scared into overpaying however, it can be costly depending on the situation. If you are suspect that the price is too high, get a second estimate from another company but check references as well. Low prices do not always mean the best quality of work.