[inspiration100]

Took out drywall today to find several 2x4's in precarious places that are black. At first glance I thought they were painted, but it might be black mold.

How do you recommend I tackle this? I tried a small area of bleach and that didn't do anything.

 

[ZZZZZ]

It would be unusual for mold to uniformly cover the entire surface of a 2x4 like that, from top to bottom. Especially since the adjacent 2x4s are clean.

To grow, mold needs a source of water or constant moisture. Looking at the floor in the photo, it doesn't look like there is a water or moisture problem.

What part of the house is this?

 

[inspiration100]

Thanks for the response. It's in the basement. Yes, it seems like it's scattered throughout, and it's very thick, almost reminds me of paint, but I don't think it is. As you can see in the second picture, it's even on the wiring, but it doesn't come off.

Many boards adjacent don't have any issues.

 

[ZZZZZ]

If the same stuff is on the wiring, it's almost certainly not mold.

Black mold isn't really thick. You would be able to scratch it off with a knife or screwdriver.

Could be some kind of waterproofing substance, but why would they put it only on 1 stud and on the wiring?

 

[inspiration100]

I guess that's possible. I really don't know what to do with it -- I wish I could identify what it was.

 

[PandJ]

looks like paint or other coating, not mold