Question from Pamela
I removed wallpaper in a home we just purchased. Underneath the paper is black mold. How do I treat this safely?
Debra’s Answer
Mold is not an easy problem to solve, since there are different types of mold which are more or less toxic. I suggest taking a look at Q&A: Crawlspace and Mold for some suggestions.
Also, read about the decisions I made in cleaning up mold in my home at At Home With Debra: Bau-Biologie: Humidity, Moisture, and Mold and At Home With Debra: Bau-Biologie: Mold Inspection and Remediation.
At the very least, I would have two professional mold remdiation inspectors come out and tell you what kind of mold it is and if it poses a danger to remove it yourself. Mold has to be handled carefully and correctly.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also has a good website about mold: A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home that gives mold basics, guidelines for cleanup, how to reduce humidty and prevent condensation, testing for mold, and other helpful information concerning mold.
