The bathroom in my Mobile home has a black mold problem. I’ve tried scrubbing the ceiling and walls – but the mold keeps coming back. A contractor suggested we put in a ventilation system to resolve the mold issue – but that only slowed the problem down. How can we eradicate this mold once and for all?
Simon D. ~ Mobile, Alabama
Black mold eradication is tough at best. Once you see it in one room it has probably already spread to other rooms. In order to get rid of it for good you have to be certain that is not going to spread back to your bathroom from some other room of the house. During a cleaning process it is very important to seal off the room you are cleaning to prevent the mold from spreading.
There are many products available that are designed for mold clean up, try to pick one that targets your situation best. If you clean your entire home from stem to stern and you still have a recurring mold problem there is a good chance that there is a mold presence in the walls, attic or under floor that is leaking spores back into your bathroom.
If this is the case than the wall, ceiling or floor cavities will have to be treated for mold, which can mean some fairly extensive disassembly and mold treatment. Good Luck!
As a professional mold remediator it shocks me how people make so light of mold. First, type “mold” on your search engine; the government EPA site will probably appear first. Research this. It will help save your home and your health. Before approaching this yourself you might want to get this mold tested so that you know what you’re working against. While working in an affected area clean air should be replacing bad as you work. Be sure to wear the proper safety gear and clothing during this process. If in any doubt contact a local certified contractor.
My chemist-brother used soda ash in a spray solution to kill mold in his attic and we used it on window sills in northern illinois. It is basically a lye that kills spores. I also use a solution of 1:1 mix of bleach and vinegar in a bucket overnight in a closed room to help kill spores in the air. Don’t let kids around this stuff and don’t breath the vapors. These are simple chemicals but very powerful for helping to control the problem. I don’t know if you can completely live mold-free in the midwest. But you cannot let it get established or you will get sick.