What Causes Black Mould in My House? What Every Homeowner Needs to Know

As a residential and commercial cleaning company, we periodically hear the following questions: “What causes black mould?”, “Is black mould dangerous?”, and “How can I get rid of black mould?”.

Black mold can be fatal and cause major respiratory issues. In fact, black mould is one of the most dangerous types of moulds, and unfortunately, it is easily spread between surfaces, houses, and even between people. The effects of black mould are serious enough to warrant a swift decontamination and cleaning.

Regardless, lets jump into the various Black Mould questions, that may be on your mind…

What Causes Black Mould?

Black mould is a type of fungus. It can exist outdoors and indoors. Black mould can grow anywhere, from your windows to your bathroom. As long as the environment is damp, dark, and warm, black mould has the ability to thrive.

Moisture is the key to mould growth, and mould can even gather moisture from the air when humidity levels rise above 80%.

The most common places for black mould growth in a home are:

• Around shower stalls and bathtubs
• Under sinks or plumbing fixtures
• In furniture and damp clothing
• Areas with water damage
• Within carpet, drywall, and wallpaper

Mould decomposes organic dead material into food sources, such as wood and paper. The fungi secrete digestive fluids to generate nutrients.

Once mould begins, it spreads quickly. When black mould reproduces, its spores travel through the air. Once the area is moist enough, the spores develop into black mould.

How Can I Get Rid of Black Mould?

As previously mentioned, long-term exposure to black mould can be dangerous. The spores ignite allergic reactions, and can show up in symptoms such as: nausea, vomiting, and (in extreme cases) bleeding within the lungs.

If there is black mould in your home, don’t ignore it. Remove mouldy carpets or structures if you can.

Stop black mould growth by preventing moisture. Fix water damage, purchase a humidifier, and seal off mould areas.

Scrub black mould away using warm soapy water and a sponge.

You can also try pouring white vinegar over the mould. Let the vinegar sit for one hour before pouring boiling water over the mould. Scrub away the remaining fungi with a sponge or cloth.

While cleaning, protect yourself. Wear a facemask or a N95 respirator. Cover exposed limbs, including your legs, hands, feet, and arms. Avoid body contact with the mould as much as possible.

If the black mould is severe, you may need to use specialized black mould removal products or hire a professional cleaning service to eliminate the fungi.

How Can I Prevent Black Mould?

Now that you know what to do about black mould, you should take preventative measures to stop black mould from spreading around your home.

Mould grows through moisture. Eliminate humidity and excess water in your home to prevent black mould from spreading. Fix plumbing leaks and keep furniture dry.

Direct wastewater away from your home foundation so it doesn’t accumulate in crawlspaces or your basement. Keep your gutters clean to prevent water leaks.

If you live in a humid region, invest in humidifiers, or enhance your home’s ventilation to keep moisture levels down. Household humidity should not exceed 50% in the summer and 30% in the winter.

Let the Professionals Take Care of Your Mould

So, now that you know what causes black mould and how to prevent it, do you need a hand eliminating it from your home? If so, we can help.

Our team is equipped to handle the toughest black mould scenarios. We will scrub away any lingering black mould and leave your home looking spotless.

Contact us to get a quote. We’re happy to help you keep your home mould-free.