How to Get Rid of Black Mold

Black mold is not only unsightly but can be very dangerous as well. There are several types of black mold and some can cause serious health problems and even lead to death. As soon as you discover black mold you should begin treating it immediately.

The safest, most effective way of cleaning black mold is to have professionals come in and treat it. Since black mold releases spores that are hazardous to your health, professionals can do a more antiquate job of both treating and cleaning of the area. Unfortunately, professional treatment can be very costly and is not covered by most insurance companies.

If your budget won't allow you to have the black mold professionally cleaned there are a few remedies you can do yourself. Be aware that these can take a lot of time and treatment but in the end it's worth it to insure a safe environment for you and your family.

Start by first locating the source in which the black mold is occurring. Wear a protective mask at all times while working near the black mold to prevent inhalation of mold spores. If the infected area is small or just starting out, you can clean black mold with a simple solution and a lot of elbow grease'.

Add one cup of bleach, one cup detergent and one gallon of water in a bucket or wash tub. Using rubber gloves and a face mask, begin cleaning the surface using a sponge and the solution. Surfaces with a rough texture can be better cleaned using a scrub brush. Continue to wash down the infected area until the mold is completely gone. Then wash down with detergent and warm water while using a clean cloth that has not been in contact with the mold.

Once the area has been completely cleaned, dispose of your cleaning tools in a plastic bag that has been sealed. This includes all sponges, brushes, masks and gloves.

Mores severe cases of black mold can be harder to treat. They will require more work and will become more costly. If the mold has taken over an entire wall you will need to remove the paneling or sheet rock from that area. The insulation will also need to be replaced. It may become costly and even up to a few hundred dollars to have a small section replaced. In the end it will be worth it and the only way to insure that it will not return due to unseen spores inside of the material itself. Once you have removed the insulation and (all other parts that can be replaced).

With more severe cases it is usually safer, easier and may even be cheaper to contact a professional. They can insure that the job is done correctly and that there are no hidden spores which will cause a relapse and end up costing you more.