How to kill mold, more specifically, black mold?

Question

We just bought a house that had a finished basement at one time, however, the previous owner's husband passed away and she decided to lock the basement up, quit running the dehumidifier, and basically let the place rot away. My fiance and I would like to have the basement finished again and turn it into a family room but I'm concerned about the mold. There was paneling over the cinder blocks... We ripped the paneling out and the carpet and I'd like to get rid of the mold on the cinder block before we re-do the walls again. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what will get rid of this mold? I'm not 100% sure it's the evil "black mold" but I don't want to take any chances. I've done internet searches for product to remove black mold, but they don't seem to turn up anything but a bunch of mumbo jumbo and money making schemes... Any suggestions from personal experience? Also, we have been running a dehumidifier again since we moved in and we will continue to do so...

Answer 1

If you can provide plenty of ventilation in the basement try Krud Kutter from Home Depot.    Using a pump sprayer wet the wall a section at a time.  Let the solution sit wet for awhile then agitate with a long handled brush, rinse the wall area then place a fan blowing on the wall at a 45 degree angle with your dehu running.  Allow 2-3 days of drying with the dehu and a fan or two running. Once the wall is dry, paint with a mildew resistant paint.

Answer 2

If you truly have black mold, you should seriously consider having a professional company treat your basement.

It's going to be pricey, but at least it will be gone.

Answer 3

Chlorine bleach will do fine.  We use it regularly in very humid environments.  It will take a bit more since the concrete block walls are porous but it will work.  You'll think it's magic.

Answer 4

I sympathize with you.  We onced lived in a home with a basement that soon became what I would call - overrun with black mold.  We were running a dehumidifer 24/7 and emptied it at least once a day if not more during humid summer months.

Eventually it ruined everything that was stored down there and we had to throw everything out.

It also came up to the next level and damaged carpeting and furniture on the next floor.

We were able to save the furniture and carpet by using a product we purchased at Home Depot...sorry I don't remember what the name of this product was but hopefully they can assist you in finding a solution to your problem.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

i'm not sure what evil black mold is. i thought all mold was black. anyway, i have been killing mold for years with clorox, 1 part clorox to 2 parts water. it's kind of strong so you should wear gloves for the clorox and a respirator for the mold and the clorox vapors. if that doesn't work or you start to feel nausea, then you might want to call a company that does mold removal, but it could be very expensive. try a small area first and see how it goes.

Answer 6

If you are concerned, just buy a mold test kit at any hardware store. $30.00. Then make your decision.

Yes, bleach and dehumidifier will work very well.