Black Mold in Bathroom

Very often we see greenish-black fungus in our homes. This substance which is slimy to touch, is a fungus, which goes by the name black mold, it often makes moist areas their place of residence. Black mold in bathroom is a very common phenomena in humid places.

What is a Black Mold?
Black mold is a fungus known as Strachybotrys chartarum or also as Strachybotrys atra. There are two types of molds; toxic and non-toxic. However, without conducting a lab test on these molds it is difficult to ascertain what kind of molds these are. Hence, it is important to keep your homes free of molds, as a home with molds is not a healthy place to live in.

Spotting Black Mold
Spotting a black mold in your bathroom or on the walls is not very difficult as this fungus is very difficult to miss. Black mold on walls usually propagate from cracks and corners in the house and grow along the joints. If you have ceramic tiles you will notice that this fungus grows really fast. It is advisable to get rid of these molds at the earliest as they can ruin your bathroom. The molds attach themselves to people, animals, shoes, etc., which means they can be easily transmitted into your homes. The black mold pores carried through the air, can also enter throw your windows and doors from the neighborhood. Black mold are usually found on ceilings, cardboard, damp wood or even on stuff made out of cotton as well. The probable symptoms of black molds and areas where you should look for black molds are:

• High humidity areas become the playground for these black molds. The black mold in your bathroom is due to the moist conditions in the bathroom. If you live in regions where the humidity is high, remember that the humidity in the air will naturally affect the conditions in the house as well.
• If you notice that a pipe is leaking, get it fixed at the earliest, as leaking pipes are excellent sources for the development of this fungus.
• Leaky roofs can also give rise to black molds on walls. If you have previously noticed any signs of leaky roofs, then you should be on watch for these tyrants.
• Flooding causes the growth of these molds. It is natural, as the house will take longer to dry off after the flood.
• In case more than one person is displaying mold allergy symptoms which includes respiratory problems, it can be due to the presence of molds in your house, especially more so if you notice more than one sign of the mold.
• If you use humidifiers, they can raise the humidity in the air and provide a conducive environment for these molds to propagate.
• It is nice to keep your place green, however, houseplants need constant watering, which leads to increase in moisture levels in the house.
• If paint on any of your house walls is peeling or is cracked it means that there is moisture, which has built up behind the paint. However, by this time the molds might have already set up residence in such damp and moisture rich areas.
• Last but not the least, bathrooms are their favorite breeding ground as the presence of moisture and tiles give them the most suitable environment to thrive in. Usually, the tile grout is porous, due to which water penetrates through the flooring giving rise to black mold colonies.

Traditional Method of How to Get Rid of Black Mold
The traditional method of black mold remediation involves scrapping the mold off the surface, after which the whole wall should be cleaned with water. Add a cup of bleach to a gallon of water and use this mixture to clean the area again. Among the various simple and easy to use mold products and services available, bleach, is one of the most commonly used disinfectant for mold removal. However, bleaching the walls is a process which you will have to undertake regularly, as the mold shows back after regular intervals.

Now the question arises, how to remove black molds which have dried? If the molds have dried and if you want to remove them, you should take utmost precaution while doing so. When the dried molds are scrapped they are released into the air and can cause severe respiratory problems, especially in people suffering from asthma. Therefore, it is important that you use a respiratory mask, eye protection gear and also make sure no part of your skin is exposed.

If you notice any family member showing symptoms of black mold, get it checked immediately as they can cause unimaginable health problems for a person. Extreme care must be taken to prevent the propagating of black mold in bathrooms to avoid the health hazards that it can cause to a family member or the entire family.