Black Mold

Black mold is a term used to describe the, greenish-black substance found in many bathrooms.

Virtually everyone has one type or another of mold somewhere in their home. Although not all types are toxic, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish types without lab testing. Thus it is important to remove all molds as if they're potentially harmful.

Mold spores thrive and grow where it is damp making bathrooms a virtual breading ground. Mold also often develops wherever there is water seepage.

Areas where black mold can flourish include wood, ceiling tiles, drywall, grout and caulk lines, as well as the surfaces of ceramic tile and natural stone. It can even show up in insulation and can infest areas in floors, walls and ceilings.

On the surface of a non-porous material, such as glass and tile, removal of mold is relatively easy. A simple bleach flush of the area should do the trick. The problem is when the mold is imbedded into a porous substance such as grout.

Many re-grouters will simply apply new grout right over the old. While it may look better it causes two problems. First, since the mold is still present beneath the new grout it will continue to spread from the inside out. Also, the new grout will quickly start to chip and soon look the same or worse then when you started.

To combat this, the original grout needs to be removed and replaced. That’s why at Groutman Renovation we painstakingly remove the old grout before applying the new grout. This of course takes more time and is more labor intensive but in the long run will produce a much more superior effect.

Another problem is when the mold is growing behind caulking. Most noticeable in white or clear caulk, those blackish areas are actually mold growing behind and inside the caulk. Since it isn’t on the surface it is virtually impossible to clean. In these instances, as with grout lines, all the cleaning in the world will not get rid of the mold. So the caulking needs to be removed and replaced.

It is also important to remember that, like other types of fungus, there are some people who are more sensitive to the effects of black mold. Parents with small children as well as those who have allergies should be especially wary of this mold and should take steps to prevent it from ever appearing.