How To Remove Black Mould

• What is black mould?
• What causes black mould?
• How to get rid of black mould
• How to prevent black mould
• Contact us today

Black mould is commonly believed to be a toxic, dangerous substance. But most kinds are not actually any more harmful than other kinds of mould. That being said, you must have mould growing in your home removed as soon as possible to keep yourself and others safe.

Here at ICE Cleaning, we offer thorough, effective mould remediation services. Our fully trained technicians can quickly and safely remove all the mould from hard surfaces and the air in your home, including black mould. We operate nationwide, 24/7, 365 days a year.

Read on to learn out about the dangers of black mould and how to get rid of it.

What is black mould?

Black mould is a type of mould that is dark green or black in colour. There are several different kinds that can grow in your home including Cladosporium, Alternaria, and Stachybotrys chartarum.

Like all kinds of mould, they produce allergens and irritants which can trigger an allergic reaction and asthma attacks. Some groups are more sensitive to mould exposure, such as those with a weakened immune system or pre-existing respiratory problems, and the very young or elderly.

Certain types of mould also produce mycotoxins, toxic chemicals which can cause more severe health problems.

Stachybotrys chartarum can occasionally produce these toxins and is sometimes known as “toxic black mould”. It can cause mould toxicity and some even think it can cause idiopathic pulmonary haemorrhages in infants.

To minimise the chances of you or someone else contracting a serious illness, you should have any black mould in your home remediated as soon as possible. You can find out more about the dangers of black mould in this blog.

What causes black mould?

Mould requires moisture, oxygen, and organic material to feed off, like wood. The main causes of its growth are high humidity, condensation, damp, and poor ventilation. It usually grows in areas with excess moisture and can often be found in the following places:

• Bathrooms and kitchens: washing and bathing produces lots of steam and splashes water onto surfaces
• Basements: humidity can build up, leading to condensation on walls which makes surfaces damp
• On and around windows: condensation can form and drip down onto windowsills
• Bedrooms: we exhale lots of water vapour as we breathe which can lead to humidity building up

Black mould, in particular, grows on surfaces that have been wet for a very long time, like in the bathroom, or in areas with poor air flow, such as behind furniture. It grows on materials that contain cellulose, like drywall and wood products.

How to get rid of black mould

There are plenty of black mould removal hacks shared online and black mould removers on the shelves, but it is recommended you bring in professional mould cleaners. They will have the specialist equipment and training to eliminate every trace from your property.

Thorough removal is essential for black mould as it can produce harmful mycotoxins. Mould experts, like our technicians, can give you peace of mind your home is safe.

Black mould removal can also be dangerous without the right personal protective equipment (PPE), such as a face mask. Scrubbing mould can aggravate it, for example, and you will be more likely to inhale it.

Some mould cleaning hacks can put your health at risk, too. Bleach, for example, is corrosive so it can burn or irritate your skin and eyes, and produce toxic gases if mixed without chemicals, like ammonia.

You could damage your property and possessions when removing black mould, as well. Some recommend scrubbing black mould off of silicone sealant with a toothbrush but silicone is delicate and you could damage it.

Mould remediation professionals can remove all the black mould from a range of surfaces without causing damage. They can identify the root cause of the mould and advise on how to prevent it returning in the future, as well.

How to prevent black mould

• Turn up the heating: cold surfaces like windows and walls result in condensation, so keeping them warmer will reduce this
• Ventilate your property: open windows regularly to reduce humidity, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens
• Install extractor fans: they can remove humid air from bathrooms and kitchens when washing and cooking
• Have leaks and damp fixed: bring in professionals to sort any leaks and damp as soon as possible before mould has a chance to start growing
• Keep humidity levels low: use a dehumidifier to keep it below 50%

Contact us today

Our Dewpoint-accredited technicians will follow a 9-stage mould removal process that will significantly improve the air quality in your home. Every mould remediation comes with a lifetime guarantee*, so if the mould comes back we will get rid of it for free

Give our friendly team a ring on 0208 066 0360 or send them an email at enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk to find out more about our mould removal services.

*subject to advisories