What is black mold and can I get rid of it without the help of a professional? Absolutely, there are a few guidelines to be aware of, though. Don’t forget that there are several thousand different types of molds; some are toxic while some are not. Always adhere to these safety tips when you finally decide to get rid of it.

Black mold or mildew is a type of fungi that feeds off of any organic material it can find. In other words it eats anything it can find carbon in, let that be wood, insulation or your drywall. Another requirement for this mold to be present is water.

Note that different mold spores are present in every home; even the food you eat has some, that’s why it starts to mold after some time. The spores grow to such a density that they’re visible to the naked eye. The same thing happens in a bathroom or after water damage has happened. It’s also important to get rid of it as soon as you notice the problem; fungi are self reproducing, which means that it will continue to grow until it runs out of water and things to eat.

To destroy black mold you need to either call a professional, or act as one. Guidelines say that if the infected area exceeds 10 square feet you should call a professional service otherwise you can proceed on your own. When you rub the infected area with a mold killer solution, you propel spores into the air that have to be killed before they land somewhere, where they can continue to live their lives undisturbed.

The mix of bleach and water gives a potent solution, but there are products you can buy in any supermarket that kill mold even more effectively. Wear protective wear so that you don’t breathe in all the flying spores. They can cause allergic reactions, as severe as lung bleeding, or chronic coughing. Act if you were working in a room full of smoke; wear goggles that don’t have ventilation holes, and a respiratory system is also advised. Use rubber gloves, which you can dispose later.

Black mold is not the ruthless killer media makes it out to be at times, but it definitely needs to be taken care of until it spreads around in your home. In case it lives inside the walls, definitely call the professionals.

Tags: what is black mold, what is black mold exposure, what is black mold fungus, what is toxic black mold