What is Black Mold?

Every homeowner fears black mold, but what is it? Also called Stachybotrys, black mold likes to grow in wet areas and is most commonly seen around condensation or where there’s been water damage. Spores come into your home via doors, small entrances or tracked on shoes and clothing. Although most fungus in your home are harmless, black mold causes health issues if neglected.

Signs of Black Mold Exposure

The spores black mold releases are the main culprit behind black mold poisoning. Symptoms include chronic coughing, eye, nose and throat irritation as well as skin rashes. Additionally, chronic fatigue and persistent headaches can all be symptomatic of black mold exposure or black mold poisoning. Especially severe occurrences of prolonged exposure to black mold are more life threatening. Often compounded by an allergy to the black mold spores, these symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, and bleeding in the lungs and nose.

Information about Mold

Black mold grows quickly, so you should never postpone calling a professional to inspect for mold growth. They can go ignored for weeks, and then appear virtually overnight.

Once mold forms colonies in your property, it immediately breeds and releases toxins that make life difficult for occupants:

  • Mold releases a strong, musty scent that stops rooms from smelling clean.
  • Mold wreaks havoc on allergy-sensitive people, 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 chronic inflammation and ongoing cold-like symptoms.
  • People with compromised immune systems can get systemic infections of the lungs, skin, or digestive tract.
  • In rare instances, mold toxins can cause neurological concerns or even death.
  • The more extended the exposure, the more severe the danger.

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

If you want to eradicate mold, the atmosphere where it flourishes must first be removed. Water sources have to be handled, and any remaining moisture must be thoroughly dried out. Only then can black mold remediation and removal start.

Whether a leaky roof, burst pipe, or other opening, it isn’t enough to close the tide. Moisture can drench out-of-sight sections of your home. Without proper cleanup procedures, mold will keep returning to these spots.

If you are worried that your home may contain black mold, speak with Paul Davis now. We safely inspect and confirm the existence of black mold before removal. Depend on our professionals for black mold remediation. Keep your family safe, request a black mold inspection now.