Have you noticed black mold on your garage door? Black mold, or Stachybotrys chartarum, is a fungus that smells musty and has a black or greenish-black color.
Mold thrives in wet and dark places. It also loves humidity. Given the right conditions–and we’ve had plenty of wet weather here in Maryland lately–mold can incubate and multiply, even during winter.
For many Marylanders, a garage door is the perfect surface for mold spores to grow. Here’s what you need to do to eliminate black mold on your garage door.
Prepare For Black Mold Removal
When you disturb the mold, it can release spores in the air. Breathing these spores is harmful and can lead to respiratory issues, nausea, and headaches.
To prepare for mold removal, gather the following supplies:
- N95, N99, or N100 respirator (the higher, the better)
- Googles
- Gloves
- Coveralls
- Head covering
- White vinegar in a spray bottle
- Disposable cloth or paper towels
- Trash bag
Garage Door Black Mold Removal
Once you have your supplies, protect yourself fully. This way, you won’t bring mold spores into the home and around your family.
Spray the mold liberally with white vinegar. The citric acid in the vinegar will kill the mold spores. Allow the vinegar to sit for an hour, then wipe the garage door carefully with your disposable towel.
Put all the used towels in the trash bag and seal it up. Use a fresh cloth with warm water to wipe down the garage door. Discard this cloth in another trash bag and seal it tightly. Discard both bags outside the home.
The vinegar smell will go away within a few hours.
Removing The Musty Mold Smell In Your Garage
Even though the source of the musty smell is gone, you might still have a lingering smell in your garage. Placing a dehumidifier in the garage until it reaches between 30% to 50% humidity should remove the smell.
This is the ideal humidity level you want in your garage to prevent mold growth. Opening the garage door or windows to allow air circulation can also help.
Preventing Black Mold Growth On Your Garage Door
If you have mold growth on your garage door, there are some things you can do to prevent it from happening in the future:
- Allow air to vent in the garage to reduce humidity levels.
- Inspect the garage door seals for cracks or gaps to make sure moisture can’t get in.
- When replacing a garage door, use mold-proof materials.
- Limit plant growth around the garage, which can cause cracks and allow moisture to collect around the walls.
- Place silica gel packets from purchased items like shoes around the garage to reduce moisture. You can also use activated alumina or anhydrous calcium sulfate.
- Make sure gutter downspouts are at least 6 to 10 feet away from the garage’s foundation to prevent moisture buildup.
- Avoid storing wet items in your garage, such as clothes, shoes, boxes, and wooden objects.
- Consider increasing the garage door’s r-value with insulation.
Hiring The Pros For Black Mold Removal
Unsure if you have black mold? Is the job too big for you to DIY? Consider calling in the professional at Door Tech in Maryland. Call us today to schedule a consultation. We’ll come out to assess the damage, safely remove the mold, and design a mold prevention plan to keep mold spores at bay in the future.