by Elizabeth Wright

Created on: June 12, 2008   Last Updated: August 13, 2008

"Black Mold" can be one of several types of mold, Stachybotrys being the most common type in the United States.

Some of the other types of mold such as Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Penicillium, and Mycotoxins, can appear green, pink, orange, or many different shades of many different colors.

There is a common myth that these molds are "mildew". This is incorrect, as mildew grows on and in plants, but mold will grow on structures and cellulose materials such as leather, wood, paper, and even the dust on tile, grout and even soap.

Molds will grow in your home if there is insufficient ventilation in bathrooms and kitchens, or if there has been a significant water damage within the structure that has not been dried properly with the use of air movers and dehumidifiers.

Myth: Bleach kills mold.
Fact: You must clean the materials which are not porous with a detergent before applying bleach or other fungicide.

Mold will be visible on your walls AFTER it's already behind them. Think dark, damp, warm. If there's been a water damage or leak within your walls, there will be mold spores within 72 hours if not dried and repaired correctly. This can turn in to a huge health hazard.

If you are actually seeing mold, likely around moldings or baseboards that have detached themselves from the base of the wall or in your bath or shower stall, then the dark side is probably 20 times worse, especially in bathrooms that have had a leak within the walls. Any wall tiles will have to be removed, as the wall and studs behind them are most likely already infected.

If you suspect a serious mold problem, you should contact an IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) specialist to test for the amount of active spores in the affected area(s). This will determine the extent and health risks of your specific problem(s). If it is determined that your home needs remediation, then you should probably hire a professional mold remediation company to contain and remediate the area(s), and then have the same IAQ specialist re-test your home after remediation is complete.

If your budget doesn't allow for proffessional remediation, here are some steps to follow to successfully remediate the problem yourself:

Before you begin, you MUST contain the affected area off with visqueen (thick plastic used for construction) and duct tape to prevent spreading of the spores to other areas of your home. You may also want to look into renting an "air scrubber", which will filter spores that will become airborne when you begin

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