inchbyinch
New Member
Joined: January 2011
Posts: 37
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Post by inchbyinch on Sept 20, 2014 0:40:23 GMT -5
Can anyone please advise if it is safe to clean "Black" Mould which I have just discovered is underneath my kitchen sink cupboards. Must be leaking pipes. I haven't opened this cupboard in about 3 months. Tins of paint, sponges and tools are stored there and they are also covered in black mould as is the back wall, inside cupboard doors, shelving tops and underneath.
So far I have just sprayed thoroughly with a solution of 1/4 teaspoon of clove oil in water and closed the cupboards hoping this will kill the spores. Next step is throwing everything out and concentrated bleach in water scrub of what I can reach. Then call plumber.
Is black mould dangerous if inhaled or if it gets onto open wounds- any advice would be appreciated. Thankyou.
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2014 7:13:18 GMT -5
make sure you wear a mask! Don't inhale that stuff! My mom's house was inundated with it! I am sure that is what made her sick, and I am still cleaning!!!!! I woul reccomend bleach, and don't inale that either. I found a long stick with a scrubbie on the end, make for cleaning baths, works so you don't have to get up close and personal with it. THere is also a product called Lysol mold killer, which works well. Once is is cleaned up, make sure you keep on top of it so it doesn't grow back.
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Post by hollyhock on Sept 20, 2014 8:53:00 GMT -5
I agree with everything @hordfest posted.
Also mold thrives in damp and dark places. If it were me, once you get it cleaned up, I would leave the cabinet doors open until a plumber comes. The leak will still be there, but the extra light and ventilation might stop any future problems until the dampness source is addressed.
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Post by ohblondie on Sept 20, 2014 10:41:32 GMT -5
I would also leave the cupboard doors open after you clean underneath. Any fresh air or sunlight, even the air moving around will prevent it from molding again. Then call the plumber ASAP! Good luck!
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Post by Freedom on Sept 20, 2014 12:41:07 GMT -5
Disposable nitrile gloves -- don't touch it either!
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inchbyinch
New Member
Joined: January 2011
Posts: 37
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Post by inchbyinch on Sept 21, 2014 19:44:17 GMT -5
Thankyou I am so grateful for all of your great advice- will use all of it. Will have to get some masks, disposable gloves and maybe even an apron- or find some old clothes to put on which I can throw out after cleaning.
Found a tiny drip behind the hot water tap dripping along wall. Husband is now looking at it with a view to putting on a new washer-he is not at all handy but worth a try. I still plan on calling a plumber after I clean all black mould- wouldn't want anyone sticking their head in there surrounded by mould.
I have to go to work today so it will have to wait until tomorrow- was waiting for advice from you before tackling it- thanks again for great advice. I never thought of the things you all recommended- partially I am sure due to being shocked and too close to the problem.
For the moment will spray it with weak bleach solution and leave it until tomorrow. Thankfully the cupboard doors close tight. I am not looking forward to this as there is slat wooden shelving in there and it will be very fiddly to scrub everything.
I just hope that the mould is not behind the wall and in the houses timber framework, or seeped into the floorboards under the linoleum.
Thankyou everyone.
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Post by moonglow on Sept 22, 2014 3:43:30 GMT -5
Posted on another recent thread: That thread was: takeonestepatatime.proboards.com/thread/24636/help-musty-odorsLion posted good information also on that thread about not using bleach to clean mold off of porous surfaces like wood. It doesn't destroy the tiny roots apparently. CDC is recommending vinegar I think. |
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Post by larataylor on Sept 22, 2014 7:43:19 GMT -5
Maybe aim a fan at the open cupboard for a while and get it really dry.
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Post by cricket on Sept 22, 2014 13:24:28 GMT -5
Inchbyinch, the drip may not be exactly a new washer--modern plumbing doesn't rely on washers, much. It's all about connectors and kits now. But I'm still sure it's a very doable repair. My husband and I were not born-handy people, either, but we have taught ourselves how to do dozens of home repairs. The trick for us is to find the correct terms for the repair, then it's easy to google up information and find great step-by-step how-to videos on youtube. Finding the right terms is challenging for people like us without any fix-it background, but I do it by starting with a lot of blind googling, describing the issue as best I can, finding something close, often on a message board somewhere, then googling terms I learn there, and so on until I home in on the exact right terms. After that, it's easy. For avoiding soldering with plumbing work, just in case it turns out to be that type of repair for you, check out this awesome line of plumbing fittings called Sharkbite that uses internal gaskets or something to create water-tight seals just by joining them together with pressure. Think water-tight lego, snap and it's done. I fixed a pipe with a hole it in by using an inexpensive pipe cutter to cut away the damaged spot, then used a sharkbite coupler to rejoin the pipe. It worked great, no leaking. There are a ton of youtube videos that can show you details about using Sharkbite fittings. We bought it locally at Home Depot, no not hard to find. I know you've read other threads now, but I want to say again that if you can swing buying a dehumidifier, you won't regret it. It will dry the kitchen out quickly and completely, and you'll have it for all the future leak/damp issues that will absolutely come up. Tubs will overflow and soak carpeting, hot water heaters will leak. It's inevitable, and a dehumdifier on hand for a near-instant dry-out can save you a lot of damage. Between the two of us, we've replaced a toilet, replaced corroded faucets, repaired a pipe with a hole in it, installed a new garbage disposal, changed out a damaged deadbolt, patched a cracked and leaking tub with a fiberglass patch, diagnosed and fixed a damp basement, and rebuilt part of a rotted deck, and those are just the repairs I can think of off the top of my head. These might not be challenging repairs for the experienced, but we started from nearly zero, almost no experience with any kind of handy work. We were in a situation that we just had to jump in and figure it out, and were surprised to discover (after the initial panic passed) that we actually enjoy these projects. It's nice to work together and learn new things. So look at this as a chance to grow together, seriously! |
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