- 30
- Jul
If your home recently had a dampness problem, and you’re experiencing symptoms ranging from chronic fatigue and irritation of the eyes, or mouth, sneezing, rashes or chronic coughing, there may be a link – the diffusion of black mold spores throughout your home. (Some people have much more extreme reactions, including bleeding in the lungs, diarrhea, and worse – but these people are sensitized to the allergens and toxins produced by black mold).
The first thing you should do to determine if your home has black mold, is to simply look for it. You can identify black mold by looking for a greenish black smear that can grow on things such as carpets, walls, insulation, and shower curtains. This mold, which is known as Strachybotrys chartarum, or Strachybotrys atra, is said to be the cause of forty different kinds of lung disorders.
Mold in the home is pretty much just there. You can’t completely sterilize your home, and doing so (or trying to do so) would cause problems far greater than the mold itself; most molds are utterly benign. That doesn’t mean you should let them thrive on their own; rather, you should deal with them if you spot them, and you should look for them if you’re running into symptoms from mold spores.
Black mold requires a moisture-rich environment, and food to live. What this means is that black mold can occur where there is damp wood, carpets, and even beneath wallpaper. It can also appear in wall paneling, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and anything else that is not glass, ceramic, or metal.
If you discover black mold in your home, you first need to determine how bad it is. If the infected area is something you can throw out, rid of it immediately. The problem is not worth keeping in your home. If it is in an area that cannot be removed from your home, then you can treat it with a cup of bleach to one gallon of water with a tablespoon of dish soap or baking soda. Spread the solution over the mold and let it sit for 15 minutes and then wipe it up. Dry the area, and if possible, use a dehumidifier.
Once you’ve dealt with a spot of black mold, take the usual precautions: Keep humidity down, keep the bathroom and kitchen (the primary source of moisture) well ventilated, and clean thoroughly with a bleach solution in those areas.
Sadly, black mold in carpeting or in the insulation on walls is not remedied with bleach, and usually requires you to throw it out and replace it. If the black mold is reoccurring, the best idea is to call a building inspector, and have them advise you on cleaning contractors or building contractors.
Black mold in your home is potentially dangerous to children, the elderly and anybody with a weak immune system. It is best to find the mold, and deal with it immediately to avoid further symptoms.
