What is the safest way to get rid of black mold by myself?

Question

This mold has been in the basement and needs to be removed, and I would like to do it by myself.....

Dfm · Answer

if you have breathing problems like asthma or copd, are allergic to mold in general....leave it alone. get a home inspector to come out and evaluate it. there may be more mold hiding in plaster, drywall, fiberglass insulation. if it's contained to one area, or under a certain percentage of living space, you may be cleared do remove it yourself. if cleared, use a commercial mold and mildew remover.
molds and mildew need water and food to thrive. check walls for dampness and leaks, pipes for condensation. run dehumidifiers if needed, and treat water collected in dehumidifier container, or run hose to drain. the other factor for mold and mildew...they like it dark. leave a daylight spectrum light bulb on 24/7 pointed at the area of ick. until the issue is resolved.

Cindi · Answer

Black mold can be serious stuff, and you can inhale the spores and get very sick, even without previous breathing problems. Personally, I wouldn't touch it and would hire a professional.

Dfm · Answer

okay... not letting me edit..had to let the cats out of the crates after their breakfast....use personal protective equipment (ppe) when cleaning up any potentially hazardous material. mask, or respirator, gloves and tyvek suit if warranted.

Marsharie M · Answer

Is it on a cement or stone wall or floor? I couldn't tell from the picture. I've had similar looking areas on walls in my basement and have mixed a strong solution of bleach and water in a spray bottle, sprayed it all down and left it. I do it every couple of months, but as others have said, if you have any type of breathing problems or allergies you might want to consider having someone come in.

Pat · Answer

As a Floridian, I've been through many hurricanes, and while we don't have basements, we have concrete floors, patios, sheds, etc. Black mold is NOT something to just wipe away. It is almost a living thing. Please talk to your local +building inspector or health inspector, and find out where it is coming from. If your basement is concrete block or gunnite (sprayed cement) is water oozing in from outside, maybe after a heavy rain. Your basement is underground, after all. There is a waterproof paint made for this; I used it after I moved to Virginia. If this is on the basement floor, and not going up the walls (yet) I doubt you' re in danger. But a de-humidifier is a great thing to keep running in damp basements. It's just a box the size of a space heater, that you plug in, and every week or so empty out the water that it collects. This prevents mold from starting. Good Luck!!!

Bryan's Workshop · Answer

Hello there! I think you should call a professional mold removal service if you're worried you have black mold. That stuff causes permeant damage to your health. Good luck. http://blackmold.awardspace.com/stachybotrys.html

Janet Pizaro · Answer

Should you choose to tackle this heres is a good link for you to read. http://www.familyman.com/cleaning/mold-and-mildew/how-to-remove-mold/view-all

Linda Vellucci · Answer

See if the government has a program for homeowners,, a grant or other kind of assistance.

Tom · Answer

While beach gives the appearance of getting rid of the mold, bleach does not kill the mold spores so it will return. There's a product called Concrobium that actually kills mold spores and prevents it coming back. I would try that first and would look towards eliminating the dampness that's producing the mold.

Michelle · Answer

Professional services, way to many health risk to remove yourself, if you decide to remove yourself, suit up, mask and head protector, as well as protectors on shoes. Plastic bags, double bag any cleaning materials, tie the bag up and out to trash .

Susan Johnson · Answer

The black mold that is toxic is not as common as people think iOr else we would all be dead from the black mold that occurs .I took care of a major mold problem in a house that had water damage from a fire.Protect you self as in previous mentioned posts. You can develop respiratory problems when exposed to any mold especially in an enclosed space.Wear a respirator not a face mask.Use a bleach solution one to ten water ratio. Have adequate ventilation windows with fans to outside.
Spray on solution wait then scrub or scrape' After dry out 24 hours encapsulate with product such as Kilz or Bonding sealer Valspar makes a great sealing agent. 
.It also appears that you have some issues with the brick or cement as a result of moisture. You may the want to use a Dryloc paint product on top pf sealer product. If you have not taken care of the water/moisture problem the situation will re occur.A dehumidifier and ventilation at all times will help.

MN Mom · Answer

Some things are best left to professionals.

Beverly · Answer

Please don't, I had some removed from my apt. they sealed it off, had a vaccum system ggoing, cut the wall out and removed the cabinets.They wore gas masks for heaven's sake. so please, don't do it yourself

Karen Tokarse · Answer

Please don't do this. I had a neighbor who tried this and ended up in the hospital. Then contracted MRSA in the hospital and spent two more years in a wheelchair. I agree with MN Mom.

What is the safest way to get rid of black mold by myself?

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What is the safest way to get rid of black mold by myself?

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