by Aliyeus J

Created on: August 05, 2010

Areas of homes such as bathrooms, basements, and even the kitchen are some of the common places that can easily become breeding grounds for black mold. If the right conditions of high humidity levels, condensation, and water intrusion exist, there is always the potential threat of mold growth.

Black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum)is usually black to greenish-black, and slimy in appearance. In common households the mold can often be spotted in bathrooms among the cracks, crevices, and grout of  shower stalls, and around sinks, as well as among drywall. In basements, black mold can often be found on the walls around wash machine units, and around piping or any places where there is great potential for dampness and/or high humidity.

Black mold can be toxic and dangerous to non-toxic. Most of the black mold we find in our homes among these common areas are non-toxic forms of black mold. Black mold that is toxic will usually come from some sort of water damage, such as a broken pipe or any kind of leak that has gone unnoticed for some time. Toxic mold will also take easily to damp wood materials, and can be found in crawl spaces, as well. Furthermore, any area of your home that may be somewhat closed off and not well ventilated can become a breeding ground for toxic mold. And of course, there is flooding. Many of us became familiar with the issue of toxic black mold following the Hurricane Katrina flooding damage. It is rare to avoid toxic black mold after a home has experienced any type of flooding.  

Getting Rid of Black Mold

To begin with the removal of non-toxic black mold you will want to prepare with a few things to protect yourself. You should have a pair of non-porous rubber gloves, mask and goggles to shield your eyes. The gathering of your cleaning utensils will, in part, depend on what it is that your are removing the black mold from.

Removing Mold From Wall Surfaces

For this job, you will  need a couple of sponges, scrubber, rags, and a small bucket. Now you will need to make a solution of 1 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water. Once you have your protective gear on, soak but do not saturate the surface of your molded area, and let the solution sit 10-15 minutes. Afterward, scrub the area until the mold is gone. Apply more solution if needed, but without the 10-15 minute wait. When the mold gone wipe the area clean with a dry rag.

Removing Mold From Shower Stalls and Faucet Structures

For removing non toxic mold from around your shower stalls, bathroom

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