Combating Black Mold

Every homeowner worries about black mold, but what is it? Also called Stachybotrys, black mold likes to grow in wet places and is usually found around condensation or pools or standing water inside. These spores enter the house via doors, small entrances and can also be tracked on personal items and clothing. While most fungus around your house aren’t dangerous, black mold causes health issues after long term exposure.

Health Effects of Black Mold

Black mold is a toxic mold that releases 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 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.

About Mold

Mold quickly spread across 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 appear practically overnight.

Once mold creates colonies in your property, it immediately breeds and discharges toxins that make life difficult for residents:

  • Mold releases a pungent, musty odor that prevents rooms from smelling clean.
  • Mold causes serious problems for allergy-sensitive individuals, as well as those with asthma, making symptoms flare up.
  • A black mold infestation can cause coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing.
  • Mold toxins can cause chronic inflammation and continuous cold-like symptoms.
  • Individuals with weakened immune systems can get systemic infections of the lungs, skin, or digestive tract.
  • In rare cases, mold toxins can cause neurological problems or even death.
  • The more lengthy the exposure, the greater the danger.

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

To get rid of mold, the atmosphere where it prospers must first be removed. Water sources have to be handled, and any residual moisture must be efficiently dried out. Only then can mold removal and remediation start.

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

Call Paul Davis today if your home has black mold. Our team analyzes for existence of black mold before removal. Depend on our contractors to eliminate black mold quickly. Keep your family safe, get a black mold inspection today.