Getting Rid of Black Mold

Getting rid of black mold can be a tedious process, especially if the mold has been growing for a long time. If you discover a mold problem in your home, then it is important to get rid of black mold immediately in order to prevent health issues that can arise from exposure.

Preventing Cross Contamination

Protective suit for getting rid of black mold

Before you begin the process of removing black mold, it is necessary to contain the area in order to prevent cross contamination with the rest of the building. Plastic sheets and duct tape can be used to seal off the room, and mold specialists actually have specific procedures that they are required to follow in order to avoid cross contamination.

In addition to the plastic, it is also a good idea to use a negative air machine in the containment area while the cleanup is going on to get rid of black mold. This negative air machine can prevent the mold spores from spreading through the air. You will also need to wear personal safety equipment such as an N-95 face mask, protective clothing and gloves.

Black Mold and Porous Materials

Common places for black mold to grow are within porous materials such as carpet, drywall, insulation, or curtains. Getting rid of black mold from these types of materials actually involves removing the materials from the floor or wall and discarding them. Once you get rid of black mold, the area can be remodeled with new materials.

Some people are hesitant to throw away the materials because of the cost of remodeling, but it is dangerous to put them back in place because these porous materials hold on to the mold spores. For example, if molded carpet is cleaned and then put back in the room, there will still be mold spores present within the fibers of the carpet. Any level of mold presence can cause health problems, and it is not worth the risk to save a little bit of money.

Sanitizing Moldy Areas

Once the porous materials have been removed, the area must be properly sanitized in order to completely get rid of black mold. One of the best ways to do this is by vacuuming the area with a HEPA-filtered vacuum, and also working the surfaces with a wire brush. The next step to getting rid of black mold is to use a biocide agent on all of the surfaces in the area; this chemical compound will effectively kill the mold spores that are present.

After the cleanup process is complete, the area needs to thoroughly dry before the remodeling occurs. It may be a good idea to use a dehumidifier in order to remove as much moisture as possible, and sometimes fans are also needed to dry everything out. If any of the area is left damp, it can result in future mold problems.

Completely getting rid of black mold can be hard, because the mold spores are microscopic so it can be difficult to determine if the problem has been cleaned up. A professional mold specialist will use mold testing in order to determine that the problem has been eradicated. You can follow this link to get a list of local Mold Testers.

It is possible to clean up the mold on your own; however, the best option to get rid of black mold is to consult with a professional in order to be sure that the problem is taken care of in a safe and effective way. Most mold removal professionals offer free consultations, so you can get some free advice about the work you need done even if you don’t want to hire someone to do the work for you. Don’t make the mistake of attempting to clean up the problem without first understanding the proper procedures. You may just end up harming yourself and your family with continued mold exposure when you think the problem has been taken care of.

Follow this link to locate a mold removal professional near you offering free consultations.

Additional Reading:

Killing Black Mold - Step-by-step guide on how to kill and remove black mold. Knowing how to clean black mold correctly is important so that you do not cross contaminate other areas of your home.

Black Mold Remover - Review of products used to kill black mold. Advice for cleaning black mold, as well the necessary equipment need for a safe black mold removal job.

Black Mold Remediation - Information about removing black mold, how to kill black mold, and why using a professional is your safest choice.

How To Remove Black Mold - Additional information on how to get rid of black mold. When to clean black mold yourself and when to hire a professional for black mold treatment.

Mold cleanup and remediation - Fact sheets on mold cleanup, removal and remediation.

If you have any questions on how to eliminate black mold, please contact us.