If your concrete has ugly charcoal-gray or black streaks or splotches, black algae is probably the culprit. Black algae can grow on many outdoor surfaces such as concrete or roof shingles and will thrive as long as there is moisture and sunlight.
Black mold growth on concrete takes on the appearance of black spots, larger circular formations, or complex solid growth over an entire wall. Black mold in small amounts could also be mistaken for common mildew around damp basement areas but is much more dangerous.
If you have greenish-black stuff on your concrete patio, it's probably mold, mildew, or moss. Damp or moist conditions from rain or humidity can encourage mold and mildew to grow in those nooks and cracks of concrete pavers or bricks.
Excess Water
As the water evaporates to the surface and soaks into the cement that is an ingredient of concrete, it leaves behind darker spots where the cement contains more moisture. These will fade over time as the water eventually soaks into or evaporates out of the slab.
Black mold, a type of mold that can potentially pose health risks to humans. It produces mycotoxins, which are toxic substances that can be released into the air when the mold is disturbed or when it grows on damp or decaying materials.
While mold only feeds on organic materials, it can grow on any surface, especially concrete. While concrete may not supply an abundance of organic material, it provides just enough mold to spread to other areas of a building.
Begin by pouring up to a whole box of baking soda down the drain, depending on the severity of the slime. Then pour in the vinegar, up to half a bottle. You should hear or see the fizzing. Let it react for about five minutes, then slowly pour the boiling water down the drain.
Black gunk happens! The black gunk that accumulates in your sink drain is created by a buildup of bacteria living on hair, hand soaps, shaving cream, skin cells, lotion, toothpaste, and phlegm (yuck!). The problem with this black gunk is it will not go away by itself.
What does mold on concrete look like? Mold might look like black spots or areas that have turned green. Some mold is white, but can be confused with efflorescence, which is a salty film on the concrete. If the white substance dissolves easily with water it is likely the latter.
When searching for black mold, look for circular-shaped spots that are black, dark green or dark brown. Some black mold can also take on shades of orange or have flecks of white within it. Most of the time, black mold has a slightly furry appearance.
Pay attention to the color and consistency: We already talked about black mold above, though it's more accurate to say that Stachybotrys chartarum has a greenish-black hue. Toxic mold can also have a grayish, soot-like texture, or a slimy, wet surface. In some cases, you may even notice furry orange or brown spots.
Avoid Leaving Moisture
Mold requires water and moisture to fester and grow. So if you manage to rid the area of water, the mold won't be able to grow. Patio maintenance involves keeping the area dry and clean thoroughly.
Use chlorine tablets. Break a tablet in half and rub it directly onto the surfaces affected by black algae. This will help kill the roots and prevent it form growing back.
Now it's time to shock your pool — preferably with a calcium hypochlorite shock. Shocking increases your pool's chlorine and other chemical levels and is a black algae killer. Now, because black algae are so difficult to kill, we recommend using four times the recommended dosage for your size pool.
In the same way that baking soda can be a spot treatment for black algae, household borax does the same for blue and green algae. Simply use the borax to scrub away algae that's sticking to your pool walls, then use the brush to dislodge it. Follow up by vacuuming up or scooping out the free-floating algae.
Black sludge is caused by a combination of debris that gets washed down the sink. It might consist of soap scum, decomposing hair, and other decaying materials. As bacteria wraps around the debris, they turn into black sludge that can clog the pipes.
It grows on cotton, wood, and paper products. It sometimes produces toxic chemicals that are found in its airborne spores and fungus fragments. These are called mycotoxins and are dangerous if they're eaten. There's no link to inhaled Stachybotrys chartarum mycotoxins and deadly diseases.
Slim mold is kind of a cool name in itself. They are not a true fungus but more of a blob similar to an amoeba. You will often see some black tints in your lawn and if you look closely, you can see a large number of pinhead-sized fruit on the blades of grass.
A completely clogged drain will require the help of a professional plumber, but baking soda and vinegar might be a quick fix for a partially clogged drain. This solution will dissolve and push the sludge through the pipes to allow water to flow through easily.
Two of the most popular and affordable industrial degreasers that can dissolve oil sludge and build up are acetone and IPA.
Though many people assume that a new coat of paint will solve mildew and mold problems, it won't. That's because paint cannot kill mold spores or prevent them from spreading.
Our top choice for mold and mildew, RMR-86 Instant Mold and Mildew Stain Remover, comes in an easy-to-use spray formula and kills all of these culprits on contact. Other types of stains are caused by manmade products, such as motor oil, paints, cleaners, and solvents.
Mix one cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water. It can then be sprayed onto the concrete and scrubbed. Most of the mold should be removed through this method. A less aggressive method is to mix 1 cup of vinegar with 2/3 cups of water in a spray bottle.