Black mold isn't just ugly; it can also pose a serious health risk if left untreated. Find out more about what black mold looks like and how to get rid of black mold.
Q. Strange black spots appear on walls in your home. Is it mold? What does black mold look like?
B: Most homeowners don't want to find out they've got black mold inside their walls. It's not just unsightly; some types of black mold can also pose a severe health risk.
You might wonder if there's black mold growing in your house. Here's everything you need to know about black mold, from its appearance to where it usually grows.
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A black stain is a dark-colored liquid that forms when something gets wet.
Black mold usually appears as a dark spot on a damp surface, most often one that's been exposed to floodwaters or suffered some structural damage. It's most common in bathroom areas where there's frequent use of bathtubs and showers.
Mold can grow with moisture and warmth, including in bathrooms, basements, kitchens, laundry rooms, and swimming pools. It can be caused by water damage from flooding or leaking pipes or by condensation from air conditioners.
Black mold usually appears near moist wood surfaces.
If there is an area where black mold grows, it could be located near a nearby source of moisture. These locations include wooden trim on the bathroom wall, under the kitchen or bath sink, and wooden pieces found in a damp basement.
Because wood is so porous, black mold can quickly spread throughout the wood. It can also cause severe damage if left untreated.
Black mold usually spreads through patches or small circular shapes, but it can also apply irregularly.
Black molds grow in circular patterns, with round colonies often measuring one and two feet in diameter. They may also spread in the shape of a circular ring pattern. However, they're also commonly seen as irregularly shaped black spots, usually measuring between three and six feet across.
Most black mold shapes look slimy or shiny because they grow in moist environments. However, if there has been no water leak, the mold will look dry and powdery instead.
Black mold is usually found in drywall, under carpeting, or corners of rooms that have been flooding.
Black molds can grow in many places besides damp rooms and moistened wood. They can be found growing in water leaking out of a house's pipes, bathrooms, HVAC systems, or even on rooftops. Improperly ventilated homes can also lead to black molds growing in unexpected places.
Moisture can cause black molds on porous surfaces such as drywall and carpeting. Water can also collect at the edges of walls following a water leak, which causes the black molds to develop.
Black mold can be white, gray, green, or brown.
Black mold usually grows as fuzzy white threads, which look similar to a fluffy piece of wool. However, this is rarely seen outside the lab, as this tiny mold is often well-concealed inside a home.
Black molds usually develop their characteristic black color when they reach full maturation. However, if you see gray or green molds, check them out because they might be black molds in their early stage.
If you find black mold, you must act quickly before it spreads further.
Depending on the widespread black mold, homeowners may need to take specific steps.
If black mold has invaded the walls, it is best to call in an expert to remove it before it spreads further. Additionally, people with health conditions or who are especially sensitive to mold are urged not to attempt to clean up the mold themselves.
If the mold is confined to a single accessible hardwood, such as a wooden baseboard or basement floor, healthy individuals may be able to remove it by themselves.
If you're looking for a DIY way to get rid of black mold, follow the steps below.
- Follow the source of the mustiness. Inspect any nooks and crannies or dark spots with a flashlight.
- To fight mold, get a spray container and mix equal parts of tea tree soap and grapefruit seed extract.
- Wear the appropriate protective equipment. This may include disposable coveralls, rubber gloves, airtight safety goggles, and a face shield or respirator. Black mold can cause serious health problems, so wearing protective equipment can significantly reduce the risks of black mold contamination and related health effects.
- After spraying the area with the cleaning solution, shake the bottle to saturate it, then leave it alone for five to ten minutes. Don't scrape off any dried residue because doing so could release harmful toxins into the air.
- After thoroughly wetting the affected surfaces, scrub them with a nylon bristle broom to loosen the mold. Wipe the affected areas clean with a rag or paper towel. If needed, repeat these steps until the mold has been reduced. Seal any items you use in a sealed plastic container for disposal.
You don't need to identify the type of mold present before treating it, but knowing which kind of mold is there could be helpful. If it returns, know what black mold looks like and how to get rid of it, and you can use that knowledge to help prevent future issues.
