Recognizing Black Mold: What to Look For and Where to Look
by Alden Smith
If you are concerned about toxic black mold in your home, the best way to detect its presence is to just go looking. First, consider areas that might be an ideal breeding ground for this contaminant. Black mold needs four things to develop and multiply - oxygen, a source of moisture, a food source, and optimal growing conditions. It grows best in dark, wet areas, so obviously you aren't going to find it in the middle of your dining room hardwood floor!
Make a list of areas you might think are good growing environments, and check them thoroughly. Consider the basement, under kitchen sinks, in the bathroom, and in the attic. These are the areas of the home where black mold will most likely be present.
The first and probably easiest check to make is through the sense of smell. Black mold has a dank, musty urine smell, and it is quite noticeable. If you detect this odor in areas of the home, then chances are good that you have been visited by an infestation of black mold. Because black mold feeds on cellulose, any area that is wooden or has a cellulose makeup is the place to start. Black mold especially likes the taste of drywall - look for white patches on your walls. This is a good indication that black mold is at work. Because it grows behind the drywall, a closer inspection of the home is in order if white patches are found. Also inspect ceiling tile, wooden paneling, and carpeting - especially in the bathroom - for any other signs of activity.
Inspect the basement next. In many parts of the country, a basement is naturally damper than the rest of the home, and it is a good place for toxic molds to develop. You are looking for damp areas here. Water pipes tend to "sweat" in a humid home environment, and are one of the leading causes of black mold in the home. If your washer and dryer are in your basement, look for water leakage around the faucets and fittings that feed the washing machine.
Check around sump pumps for signs of moisture and any signs of mold. Many of the newer furnaces have a humidity control on them, and are fed by a water source. Look for leaks and sweating of this fixture. These units also have a drain to eliminate excess water. Insure that the drain is not clogged, and is evacuating properly. Check basement walls for any sign of leakage and indications of mold. Let your nose be your guide.
The bathroom in the home is an outstanding environment for mold to develop. It is highly recommended that carpeting not be installed in the bathroom, as moisture from the shower can inundate the carpeting, and create a home for mold to grow. If you see dark spots on your carpeting, suspect black mold infestation, especially if it appears to be spreading. Remember that it only takes 24 hours for mold to get a foothold.
Shower stalls and built in fiberglass showers create a good environment for infestation. Because these units are generally sealed in, and not free standing, the chances of moisture collecting behind them is much greater. Check the calking on the insert to determine if there is a chance for moisture to seep behind them. If the calking is old and cracking, then water will collect behind the insert, giving mold a better chance of developing a good foothold. Look for any leaks under the vanity of your bathroom. If the wood appears warped or buckled, then the chance of mold being present is higher.
The attic of the home is another good place for mold to develop. Because the government has in recent years set many standards for home energy conservation, attics tend to be tighter and have less opportunity for air exchange between the indoor and outdoor environment. Insulation helps further the opportunity for mold to grow. Look for any moisture collecting in the attic from a possible leakage in the roof structure, and inspect closely for dry rot or dampness. Notice the nails that may protrude through the roofing material into the interior. Is there any sign of frost on them in the winter? Do they appear damp or show sign of water droplets on them if the nails are visible? If so, then this indicates that the environment is ripe for mold infestation. Again, rely on your sense of smell.
If you determine that any areas do show signs of mold infestation, the rule of thumb is that you can generally clean an area no larger than 10 square feet and successfully eliminate mold. Wash thoroughly with hot soap and detergent, and wipe dry. When the area cleaned is dry, apply an application of a fungicide. Although bleach will kill mold on the surface, if it is deeply embedded in the wood, bleach will typically evaporate before reaching the source. It should also be kept in mind that bleach produces chemicals that molds feed on.
If through this simple inspection, you determine that there is a high possibility that mold is present in your home, the next logical step is to call a professional inspector to look more closely at the home and its environment. Although a homeowner can eradicate mold from the home in small isolated areas, it often takes the expertise of these professionals to make the proper determination as to the course of action in ridding your home of toxic black mold.
Make a list of areas you might think are good growing environments, and check them thoroughly. Consider the basement, under kitchen sinks, in the bathroom, and in the attic. These are the areas of the home where black mold will most likely be present.
The first and probably easiest check to make is through the sense of smell. Black mold has a dank, musty urine smell, and it is quite noticeable. If you detect this odor in areas of the home, then chances are good that you have been visited by an infestation of black mold. Because black mold feeds on cellulose, any area that is wooden or has a cellulose makeup is the place to start. Black mold especially likes the taste of drywall - look for white patches on your walls. This is a good indication that black mold is at work. Because it grows behind the drywall, a closer inspection of the home is in order if white patches are found. Also inspect ceiling tile, wooden paneling, and carpeting - especially in the bathroom - for any other signs of activity.
Inspect the basement next. In many parts of the country, a basement is naturally damper than the rest of the home, and it is a good place for toxic molds to develop. You are looking for damp areas here. Water pipes tend to "sweat" in a humid home environment, and are one of the leading causes of black mold in the home. If your washer and dryer are in your basement, look for water leakage around the faucets and fittings that feed the washing machine.
Check around sump pumps for signs of moisture and any signs of mold. Many of the newer furnaces have a humidity control on them, and are fed by a water source. Look for leaks and sweating of this fixture. These units also have a drain to eliminate excess water. Insure that the drain is not clogged, and is evacuating properly. Check basement walls for any sign of leakage and indications of mold. Let your nose be your guide.
The bathroom in the home is an outstanding environment for mold to develop. It is highly recommended that carpeting not be installed in the bathroom, as moisture from the shower can inundate the carpeting, and create a home for mold to grow. If you see dark spots on your carpeting, suspect black mold infestation, especially if it appears to be spreading. Remember that it only takes 24 hours for mold to get a foothold. Shower stalls and built in fiberglass showers create a good environment for infestation. Because these units are generally sealed in, and not free standing, the chances of moisture collecting behind them is much greater. Check the calking on the insert to determine if there is a chance for moisture to seep behind them. If the calking is old and cracking, then water will collect behind the insert, giving mold a better chance of developing a good foothold. Look for any leaks under the vanity of your bathroom. If the wood appears warped or buckled, then the chance of mold being present is higher.
The attic of the home is another good place for mold to develop. Because the government has in recent years set many standards for home energy conservation, attics tend to be tighter and have less opportunity for air exchange between the indoor and outdoor environment. Insulation helps further the opportunity for mold to grow. Look for any moisture collecting in the attic from a possible leakage in the roof structure, and inspect closely for dry rot or dampness. Notice the nails that may protrude through the roofing material into the interior. Is there any sign of frost on them in the winter? Do they appear damp or show sign of water droplets on them if the nails are visible? If so, then this indicates that the environment is ripe for mold infestation. Again, rely on your sense of smell.
If you determine that any areas do show signs of mold infestation, the rule of thumb is that you can generally clean an area no larger than 10 square feet and successfully eliminate mold. Wash thoroughly with hot soap and detergent, and wipe dry. When the area cleaned is dry, apply an application of a fungicide. Although bleach will kill mold on the surface, if it is deeply embedded in the wood, bleach will typically evaporate before reaching the source. It should also be kept in mind that bleach produces chemicals that molds feed on.
If through this simple inspection, you determine that there is a high possibility that mold is present in your home, the next logical step is to call a professional inspector to look more closely at the home and its environment. Although a homeowner can eradicate mold from the home in small isolated areas, it often takes the expertise of these professionals to make the proper determination as to the course of action in ridding your home of toxic black mold.
Alden Smith is an award winning author and regular contributor to DoItYourself.com. He writes on a variety of subjects, and excels in research.
© Doityourself.com 2006
project steps
- Intro
- Defining and Detecting
- Health Risks
- Home Risks
- Recognizing Black Mold
- Professional Testing
- Prevention