Mold is a common problem in most households, but it can also make you sick. That’s why it’s important to remove mold from concrete in your home.
Mold, just like mildew, is a growth that pops up in damp or shaded areas. That said, can mold grow on a concrete floor? Yes. Concrete floors, with their bumpy and porous texture, is a great place for mold to thrive. If you see mold start to take hold of your concrete surfaces – whether on a basement wall, or patio – you need to get rid of it immediately. Otherwise, it will spread and be difficult to remove.
Keep reading to find out the best ways to remove mold from concrete.
What You Need to Do First
Before you get started with removing mold from concrete, you need to gather the right materials.
You will need:
- Broom or dry brush
- Dustpan
- Bucket
- Mop
- Vinegar, Bleach, or Trisodium Phosphate
- Scrub Brush
- Rubber Gloves
- Dust Mask
If you’re working with vinegar to clean the mold, then wearing rubber gloves won’t be as much of a concern. We still recommend that you wear old clothing that you don’t mind getting damaged.
Some people are allergic to mold. They can get very sick when they come into contact with it. If this is you, then wear a dust mask and avoid getting it on your skin or in your eyes.
A Warning: Do not use metal brushes or steel wool to clean concrete. You should also avoid mixing bleach with other household cleaners. This could create toxic fumes.
How Do You Remove Mold from a Concrete Floor? 5 Steps
1. Dry Out the Affected Area
Mold thrives on moisture, so you need to make sure the area is dry. If you don’t, the mold can spread its spores in the air. This will make it harder for you to clean, and it might cause an allergic reaction.
Try to expose the area to direct sunlight to dry it out. If you can’t, use a fan or heater that’s made for the outdoors.
2. Sweep the Area
When you mop your floor inside, you first make sure that it’s swept and free of extra dirt. You need to do the same to remove mold from concrete.
Put on your dust mask and gloves to sweep out the area. You’ll be moving around a lot of dirt that can mix with mold spores, and you don’t want to cause an allergic reaction.
Once you clean everything out, you’re ready to remove the mold.
3. Get Your Solution Ready
There are three ways to get rid of mold:
The first and least damaging way is to use vinegar. Mix white vinegar and water to treat the affected area. This will also help you kill weeds, but won’t harm the grass on your lawn or flower beds. Spray the vinegar mixture on the mold, and after a few minutes, you can start scrubbing.
The second and most common way of treating mold is with bleach. Fill a one-gallon bucket with warm water and 3/4 cup of liquid bleach. Make sure you ventilate the area where you’re working. Then start scrubbing with the liquid bleach mixture.
The third way to treat mold is the most extreme. You can add trisodium phosphate to your bleach water. You should only add one-half cup to every two gallons of water and bleach. Trisodium phosphate will work on tougher mold. But because of the solution’s strength, you should handle it with care.
While you’re treating the mold, using whatever mixture you have, make sure to keep it as dry as possible. You can use a vacuum to suck away any extra water or sponge it up yourself.
4. Mop and Rinse
Empty your bucket and rinse it out. Then fill it with clean water. Take a mop and clean up the affected area. There shouldn’t be any mold left.
If there is still some mold on the concrete, you need to start again with a stronger solution. So if you started with vinegar, move up to bleach. Try trisodium phosphate if you already used bleach.
But if you’ve tried all the different mixtures, you’ll need to start at the beginning again or call a mold remediation professional to come in and help.
5. Break Out the Power-Washer
If you have a case of stubborn mold and the mop doesn’t cut it, then you should try the power-washer.
You can find an inexpensive power-washer, or rent one from a store, or contact a professional for help. Connect your garden hose to the power-washer, and run the water through for a minute to clear it out. Then you can start the engine, and pull the trigger on the washer.
Power-washing should make it easy to remove mold from concrete. But if you’re using it on a concrete paving stone walkway, you might need to redo the joint sand afterward.
How to Prevent Mold on Concrete Floors in the Future
Even though you know how to remove mold from concrete, you don’t want to have to do it again. That’s why you need to take the proper steps to prevent mold from resurfacing.
If you can, keep the affected area dry with direct sunlight. This might mean you have to prune some trees or move patio furniture.
Add proper ventilation to keep the area from collecting moisture. If you need to, create a drain or drainage pathway to avoid standing water.
Looking For More Helpful Tips to Keep Your Home Mold Free?
Do you want more information to remove mold from concrete and other areas? If you’re dealing with mold or water damage, check out our blog. We have tips and resources to help you.
But if the problem is bad and you need a professional, contact us here. We’ll do whatever it takes to get your home mold free.