Do You Know Black Mold?

Every homeowner worries about black mold, but do you know what it is? Also called Stachybotrys, black mold likes to grow in wet environments and is most commonly found in areas where condensation has collected or near untreated puddles inside. Spores enter the house through windows, small entrances or brought in on shoes and coats. Although most molds found in your house are nothing to worry about, this species leads to illness after years of exposure.

Risks Behind Black Mold Exposure

Black mold is a poisonous mold with spores. Symptoms include chronic coughing, irritation to the eyes, mucus membranes of the nose and throat and rashes. Other symptoms include chronic fatigue and persistent headaches. Especially serious cases of prolonged exposure to black mold can be more life threatening. Often compounded by allergic reaction to the black mold spores, these symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, and bleeding in the lungs and nose.

About Mold

Mold doesn’t take long to permeate walls, floors and ceilings. Whenever your home suffers water damage, you should have a professional check the walls for mold infestations. They can go ignored for weeks, and then spring up essentially overnight.

Once mold produces colonies in your property, it immediately grows and releases toxins that make life difficult for residents:

  • Mold emits a pungent, mildewed smell that prevents rooms from smelling clean.
  • Mold wreaks havoc on allergy-sensitive individuals, as well as those with asthma, making symptoms flare up.
  • A black mold infestation can cause coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and trouble breathing.
  • Mold toxins can activate long-lasting inflammation and ongoing cold-like symptoms.
  • Individuals with weakened immune systems can get systemic infections of the lungs, skin, or digestive tract.
  • In rare instances, mold toxins can cause neurological problems or even death.
  • The more extended the exposure, the more severe the danger.

Unusually humid homes and offices can be vulnerable to mold invasions even if no water damage has happened. If you see or smell something that could be mold, get an expert opinion immediately.

If you want to eradicate mold, the environment where it thrives must first be eliminated. Water sources have to be dealt with, and any residual moisture must be carefully dried out. Only then can mold elimination and remediation start.

Whether a dripping roof, burst pipe, or other entry point, it isn’t enough to stem the tide. Moisture can saturate hidden portions of your home. Without proper cleanup processes, mold will keep returning to these spots.

Call Paul Davis now if you think your home contains black mold. We safely test and confirm the presence of black mold before removal. You can depend on our specialists to eliminate black mold quickly. Don’t risk your health, schedule a black mold inspection now.