Black mold?

Question:Black mold in dry wall leading to the basement. Is there a way to tell how long it has been there - when it started? I think the people I bought the house from knew about it and covered it up!

Answers:
No, there is no way of telling how long mold has been on a surface, but it can be removed by washing with White Vinegar and allowing it to stay on for about five to six hours then rinsing with hot water, you can then paint and add a mildewcide to the paint so the mold will not return again, you also have to look for leaky pipes that are in the walls or some moisture somewhere near by before you remove the mold and repaint the walls with paint and mildewcide. Good Luck !