As long as there is moisture on concrete, mold may develop. Although concrete does not provide enough food for mold to grow, it will thrive with enough moisture. The dust and debris collected on concrete mold surfaces can be avoided by keeping them clean and preventing moisture from gathering on them.
While black mold cannot grow on concrete, wet concrete can provide enough moisture and food for the mold to grow. Clean black mold off concrete by cleaning it with a hose under pressure, scraping the mold off, applying a cleaning solution, rinsing it off, then allowing the area to dry.
If you find your wall turning green, black, or white, or your bath water also turning green, mold is the likely culprit. You should find and get rid of it before it takes over the whole house. Note that, while bath water can also turn green due to copper, mold has the same effect.
What is black mold?
Mold is a fungal organism. It may be found practically anywhere, including in the air. However, normal mold levels in the environment do not constitute a significant health risk to healthy persons with a functioning immune system. Many molds are black; hence there is no such thing as “black mold.”
The phrase ‘black mold’ refers to Stachybotrys chartarum (S. chartarum), also known as Stachybotrys atra. However, no scientific data suggests S. chartarum exposure is more hazardous than any other form of mold.
Some people are more susceptible to mold spores than others, and even a few spores might cause respiratory difficulties. Therefore, you should remove any mold growth in the home and take steps to prevent it from growing back.
What does mold on concrete look like?
Mold on concrete can take on a variety of appearances. It depends on the type of mold developing on your concrete’s surface. White, black, or green are all possibilities. Depending on its color, mold might be toxic or innocuous, so you should have a professional evaluate your house.
White mold on concrete will seem white or off-white, fibrous or fluffy in appearance. It may also form a solid structure on the walls or flooring. White mold can sometimes take on the appearance of efflorescence, so it’s crucial to know before you do anything.
On concrete, black mold growth appears as black dots, bigger circular formations, or a complicated solid growth covering an entire wall. Trim levels of black mold can be mistaken for typical mildew in moist basement locations, but it is far more deadly.
If you mistake black mold for mildew and attempt to remove it, you risk spreading it throughout your house. Although certain black molds develop in circular patterns and are simple to identify, this is not always true.
Another prevalent sort of mold development is green mold on concrete. Green mold does not always resemble algae or moss growth in appearance but does most times. This mold should be treated similarly to any other mold colony in your house.
Given that mold can grow on any surface, including concrete and poorly-cleaned wooden tubs, continuous inspection should be carried out to ensure it doesn’t develop and get out of hand.
What causes black mold on concrete?
For a variety of causes, mold may grow on concrete. Like other varieties of mold, black mold thrives in environments conducive to its growth.
Black mold grows on damp surfaces caused by leaks in windows, roofs, pipes, and water tanks. Black mold spores are spread by wind, animals, or water sources from one location to another.
It will proliferate if the black mold is exposed to a moist concrete surface. Black mold reproduces swiftly, and even a little area can soon expand. This implies that your concrete surface might quickly get coated in black mold.
If the concrete is in a basement, a leak from the exterior or broken plumbing might be the source of the black mold. Mold growth on surfaces is more common in homes with high humidity. When mildew develops on outdoor concrete, such as a patio, it does not completely dry after being damp. This is typical of well-shaded concrete.
Moldgrow can grow on a bathroom window if water splashes on it without drying it up.
Is black mold on concrete dangerous?
Mold on concrete surfaces may be quite harmful. Some people suffer allergic reactions or asthma after exposure to excessive concentrations of black mold.
In addition, mold can irritate the eyes, nose, skin, lungs, throat, and skin of those who aren’t sensitive to it. If someone has a severe mold allergy, they may have severe symptoms such as shortness of breath, which can be deadly.
In addition, people with asthma who have acquired a mold allergy are more prone to suffer asthma episodes if they are exposed to mold.
How to get rid of black mold on concrete
The best way to deal with black mold is to keep the concrete dry to avoid the formation of mold in the first place. The easiest technique to get rid of the black mold is to use a solution of water and chlorine bleach when it’s still young.
Get rid of black mold on concrete as follows:
Step 1: Clean the concrete with a hose
Clean the concrete with a hose set to its highest power setting. Remove as much black mold as possible using a hose. If there is concrete within, wet the surface with a sponge.
Step 2: Scrape the mold away
With a spatula, scrape away any leftover black mold.
Step 3: Create a cleaning solution
Combine chlorine bleach, detergent, and water in a mixing bowl. Combine one cup of bleach and half a cup of detergent for each gallon of water.
Step 4: Apply the solution to the concrete
Use a sponge or a brush to apply the solution to the concrete. Scrub as hard as possible to remove the black mold’s roots.
Step 5: Rinse
Rinse off the solution.
Step 6: Rinse the concrete wall
Rinse the concrete wall.
Step 7: Scrub the mold
If black mold remains, scrub the concrete and rinse it again.
Step 8: Keep the surface dry
Maintain as much dryness as possible on the concrete. Tree branches or bushes obstructing sunlight should be removed or pruned. If there is concrete inside, use a fan to dry it.
Use a power washer and a professional mold-killing solution for exceptionally tenacious black mold development.
How to prevent black mold on concrete
Below are a number of ways to help you prevent mold on concrete:
1. Constant humidity levels
Maintain a constant humidity level in your house of no more than 50% throughout the day. You may reduce the humidity by using an air conditioner or a dehumidifier.
A meter to assess the moisture in your house may be purchased from a home improvement store. Because humidity levels fluctuate during the day, you’ll need to check the humidity levels more than once.
2. Aerate your home
Make sure your home has enough fresh air. In the kitchen and bathroom, use exhaust fans that vent outside. Make sure your dryer vents are located outside your home.
3. Look for and repair leaks
Repair any leaks in your home’s roof, walls, or plumbing to prevent mold from growing.
Following a flood, thoroughly clean and dry your home (within 24-48 hours).
4. Use mold inhibitors
Before painting, add mold inhibitors to the paint. Mold inhibitors are available in paint and home improvement retailers.
5. Use mold-killing detergents
Use mold-killing agents in restrooms.
6. Remove carpets
Remove or replace saturated carpets and upholstery that cannot dry immediately. Consider not using carpets in areas with a lot of dampness, such as bathrooms and basements.
Conclusion
Because removing black mold from concrete poses a health risk, always use the appropriate protective gear. Allowing its spores to pollute other sections of your home is not good.
Because mildew spreads by spores, isolating the infected region is critical. Cleaning solutions should be used with caution. When using bleach, ensure the space is well-ventilated because the fumes might be overwhelming.
Cleaning solutions should never be mixed since the outcome might be hazardous. Mixing bleach and ammonia releases toxic gases and should be avoided. You may also hire a black mold professional for this work.