How to Eliminate Black Mold

Are you wondering how to eliminate black mold? You’ve probably heard at least a little about all the health problems mold can cause, and many people want to get rid of black mold these days in order to improve their health or the health of family members. People also want to remove black mold in order to prevent future health problems.

Not everyone knows how to safely remove black mold, though. It’s not as simple as just washing down the wall or scrubbing the shower with your usual cleaning products. Not only do you need to use the proper products and techniques to remove black mold, you need to use the proper safety equipment and techniques to make sure you don’t inhale any mold during the clean up process. Inhalation of mold spores is how black mold causes illness.

Why Should You Get Rid of Black Mold?

Black mold is ugly and it has an unpleasant musty odor, but if those aren’t reasons enough to get rid of it, it is also hazardous to your health and the health of your family, especially your children and any family members already in poor health. Black mold can cause health problems ranging from respiratory problems to itchy hives, from allergic reactions to migraine headaches, from eye irritation to exhaustion or depression.

It’s important to get rid of black mold as soon as you can, because it grows and spreads rapidly. If you have some black mold on a wall, for instance, not only will more of the wall become covered with mold in time, the mold may spread into the insulation inside the wall and into your heating ducts. It’s much more difficult to remove mold from places like that and the chances are greater that you’ll miss some of the mold and it will continue to pose a health risk.

How to Eliminate Black Mold

Before trying to get rid of mold, you need to know how to eliminate black mold safely. You’ll need some safety equipment, including a mask and gloves. Hang a large sheet of plastic over the doorway of the room in which you’ll be working and tape plastic over all air vents in the room to prevent mold spores from spreading. You should also use a negative air machine, which prevents air from leaving the area and thereby carrying mold to other parts of the home as well as filtering contaminants out of the air.

To get rid of black mold on hard, nonporous surfaces, we recommend using a biocide designed for that purpose. We like Foster 40-80, which is an EPA registered product. Scrub the moldy area thoroughly. Scrub the surrounding area just to make sure you get every trace of mold. In the picture below is a vanity surface with black mold from a leak.

To deal with black mold on porous materials like insulation or carpeting, the materials will actually need to be removed and replaced because it’s impossible to get all of the mold out. Double-bag these items in heavy plastic bags before you carry them out of your house so you don’t inadvertently deposit mold spores throughout your home.

Mold can grow in other areas where it’s even more difficult to remove, like inside air ducts. We recommend calling a professional to assist you in those cases.

Contact a mold removal specialist if you need more information about how to eliminate black mold or if you’d like professional assistance with the task. If you have any type of respiratory disorder or immune system disorder, you should not attempt to get rid of mold by yourself. Your risk of developing mold-related illness is simply too great. Talk to your doctor if you’re not sure if it’s safe for you to handle the cleanup yourself.

If you need assistance removing mold from your home, or if you just want to get some professional advice about how to do the job safely, we recommend scheduling a free consultation with a mold removal specialist. A specialist will come to your home, assess the situation, make sure you’ve located all the mold in your home, and advise you on how to handle the job safely. Follow this link to find a mold removal specialist near your home.

Return From How To Eliminate Black Mold To Getting Rid Of Black Mold

Black Mold Health Symptoms Home Page