In our apartment building there are hallway pipes that have black dots (up to 1 inch diameter) along their entire length. These dots are on the side and bottom of the pipes. The apartment maintenance head claims this is dust that collects due to holes in the paint. However, these pipes are chronically damp in the summer and the spots are predominantly on the bottom and side of the pipes (where condensation collects). There are neighboring pipes that are completely free of dust. In addition, another pipe has reddish-brown dots of similar size. How can we tell if this might be mold?
2007-10-18 06:12:59 · 7 answers · asked by MB 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Quick check would be to scrape up a sample and take a look under a microscope. More likely, it's dirt and yuck that collects on top of the pipe in the winter, and runs down with the condensate in the summer.
Oh, and before you get too uptight about "mold", remember you've probably eaten some today -- and if not today, probably tomorrow. Yeasted breads, beer, wine, liquor, some cheeses....
2007-10-18 06:48:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spray them with a bleach/water solution (or straight bleach for that matter)...if it is mold, it will kill it within hours....If you cannot reach to spray....soak paper towel or tisssue in bleach or bleach/water solution and roll into balls...throw the balls at the pipe....if it sticks, it wont help, but if it bounces off...it should kill the spot where it hit (if it is mold)....If it is dust, t should just come off onto the tissue ball
2007-10-18 07:40:25 · answer #2 · answered by Greg M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it grows, it is mold, if it just lays there and looks ugly, it is most likely dirt.
Don't be overly concerned, there are millions of species of mold. They are present in all soil, bark, on vegetation, etc.even humans in the form of foot fungus and jock itch. Molds are used to prepare foods like Blue Cheese and other delicacies.
Molds cause matter to breakdown and become dirt again. The air is filled with their spores and you breath them with every breath you take and eat them with every bite of food. Only a few have been found to be harmful.
If it is mold, take a sample to a qualified Mycologist for identification or spray it with a cup of bleach mixed with a quart of water in a spray bottle to kill and dissolve it.
2007-10-18 06:35:12 · answer #3 · answered by Ranger 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am not 100% positive but I have dealt with a mold situation before from what I read it sounds like mold.
2007-10-18 06:27:33 · answer #4 · answered by Roxy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like mold to me, but without seeing it I can't be certain. I would go to Home Depot or Lowes and buy a 'Mold Test Kit'.... that will give you a more definite answer.
2007-10-18 06:26:41 · answer #5 · answered by Dave 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, so break out the bleach. Also, consider insulating the pipes.
2007-10-18 06:42:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If damp than it mold>Spray with bleach if turn yellow than it's mold>
2007-10-18 08:23:30 · answer #7 · answered by 45 auto 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋