Black Mold Sickness

Eight Causes and Solutions of Black Mold Sickness

Cause One - Washing machines in a room without a floor drain overflow, water with no point of exit will soak into adjacent carpet, drywall and insulation.

Solution: Always provide a floor drain near the washing machine.

Cause Two - In warm weather, impermeable vinyl wall coverings can trap moisture. Mold degrades the drywall and adhesive behind the vinyl wall covering.

Solution: Use wall coverings with impermeable paper or use paint.

Cause Three - The condensation pan directly under the coil of your central air conditioner can harbor mold.

Solution: Before each cooling season, clean the pan with a 1/2 percent bleach solution and make sure the continuous drain is working.

Cause Four - Leaky air-conditioning, it creates a moist environment for mildew.

Solution: Seal all duct joints with the special flexible mastic available at heating and cooling supply stores.

Cause Five - Poorly ventilated bathrooms allow surface toxic black mold to grow.

Solution: Install a bathroom fan or at least a open window. Remove surface mildew by scrubbing the area with a 1/2 percent bleach solution. When the area is dry, prime it with an alcohol-based, white pigmented shellac.

Cause Six - Water-resistant drywall used as a the backer quickly degrades once subjected to moisture.

Solution: Install cement backer board, which will remain structurally sound even if repeatedly subjected to moisture.

Cause Seven - Humidifiers provide both a growth medium and a distribution system for mold and mildew.

Solution: Clean and treat the humidifiers often with an antimicrobial solution, available at most hardware stores.

Cause Eight - Poorly constructed crawlspaces promote mildew growth

Solution: Store it outside.