How Do You Kill Black Mold On Concrete?
It’s practically guaranteed that there is some sort of concrete surface at your property. That’s because concrete is used to create all sorts of different structures. A few examples include driveways, patios, sidewalks, and parking lots. These structures begin their lives as clean, visually impressive surfaces. However, over time, they’ll collect debris—including unsightly black mold. How do you kill black mold on concrete? Sometimes, it seems like this unwanted substance is invincible, but don’t worry because we’ll teach you how to get rid of this filth!
We are Riptide Pressure Washing, and we are your local concrete cleaning authority in Wilmington, NC. We understand the best techniques for removing black mold from concrete, and we’d love to teach you what we know! That way, you can make your concrete spotless again.
Where Does This Mold Come From Anyway?
So, how do you kill black mold on concrete anyway? Before we answer this question, it’s good to understand where this mold comes from in the first place. Somewhere far, far away from your property, some black mold spat out spores, and those spores were carried by the wind. Eventually, they drifted all the way to your home or business, settled down on your concrete, and decided to germinate. It didn’t take very long for these microscopic spores to grow into ugly, unsightly splotches that are unfortunately visible to the naked eye.
Since these spores come from all over the place, there’s no real way to stop black mold from appearing on your concrete. However, you can take action once it has shown up. At Riptide Pressure Washing, our preferred way to solve this problem is a specialized process called pressure washing. There are many other ways to tackle black mold, too. We’ll discuss them all in the paragraphs below.
Choose a Cleaning Solution First
Before anything else, you’ll want to choose a cleaning solution. Why? Because the right cleaning solution will quickly break down mold, making it much easier to remove. If you don’t use a cleaning solution, not only will mold put up a fight, but it is also more likely to release spores that can irritate your eyes, skin, and lungs.
There are quite a few options for your consideration. We’ve listed a few of them below as a convenient bulleted list. Which one is the best choice for you?
- Bleach Solution: This simple solution can be prepared at home. Simply add one cup of bleach for each gallon of water for a quick and easy mold killer.
- White Vinegar: You can find this in your grocery store’s cooking aisle. It’s not just good for pickling cucumbers—it’s also great at breaking down minor mold growth.
- Hydrogen Peroxide: We recommend 3% hydrogen peroxide. This cleaning solution will quickly kill mold, setting the stage for successful removal.
Don’t Forget Safety Equipment
How do you kill black mold on concrete without getting yourself hurt? It’s very important that you wear safety equipment when removing black mold from concrete. This is because mold spores can hurt you if they go flying everywhere. They can irritate your eyes and skin, and if breathed in, they can cause respiratory diseases. Obviously, you want to avoid these problems at all costs, so make sure you’re fully prepared for your project.
The most necessary piece of safety equipment is a N95 or higher respirator. By wearing this, you’ll prevent yourself from inhaling spores. Be sure to also wear goggles and gloves, as well as full-length pants and closed-toe shoes. That way, you can minimize skin exposure to mold, saving you a world of frustration and sickness.
Removing Mold With a Brush or Broom
For an affordable method of concrete mold removal, consider using a brush or broom. Begin by generously applying your cleaning solution of choice to the concrete. Then, give it ten to fifteen minutes to kill and break down mold. Finally, you can thoroughly remove mold with a brush or broom. Meticulously scrub the area, and once you are done, rinse the concrete with a hose. This should spell the end for any and all black mold on the concrete.
Looking for a more heavy-duty method of black mold removal? If so, consider pressure washing, a technique which uses sophisticated equipment for the best possible results.
Removing Mold With Pressure Washing
How do you kill black mold on concrete with pressure washing? The process begins similarly to the brush or broom method. Apply your preferred cleaning solution to the concrete and give it up to fifteen minutes to kill mold. Then, prepare your pressure washer and set its water pressure to 3,500 PSI. (This is an appropriate amount of force for durable concrete surfaces.) Finally, thoroughly pressure wash the area, working in a row-by-row fashion to remove all debris and leave the concrete in stunning visual condition.
Pressure washing is a fantastic way to not only get rid of mold but also many other forms of debris, including dirt, moss, algae, dead insects, and bird droppings. Because of this, we highly recommend that you invest in concrete pressure washing once per year. This will even make concrete surfaces less slippery, improving safety for pedestrians and drivers.
Professional Concrete Cleaning
How do you kill black mold on concrete without having to do any of the work on your own? The answer is by reaching out to a professional pressure washing business. At Riptide Pressure Washing, we are always happy to help our neighbors—it would be our pleasure to be at your service next! By scheduling an appointment with us, you’ll receive higher-quality results than your typical DIY job. We only ask for a reasonable amount of money in exchange for our services. (The total cost is based on the size of your project.)
Contact us online for a free cost estimate! Then, if you like our asking price, you can choose a time and date for your appointment. We look forward to making your concrete mold-free!
