What is Black Mold?
Every homeowner worries about black mold, but what is it? Also called Stachybotrys, black mold likes to grow in moist areas and is usually seen in areas where condensation has collected or near untreated puddles inside. These spores come into your house through windows, other entrances or brought in on personal items and clothing. While most molds found in your house aren’t dangerous, black mold leads to health problems after years of exposure.
What are the Health Risks?
The spores black mold releases are the major cause behind black mold poisoning. Typically symptoms include chronic coughing, irritation to the eyes, mucus membranes of the nose and throat as well as skin rashes. In addition, chronic fatigue and persistent headaches can all be symptomatic of black mold exposure or black mold poisoning. Particularly severe occasions of long-term 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.
More 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 essentially overnight.
Once mold produces colonies in your living space, it immediately breeds and discharges toxins that make life unpleasant for occupants:
- Mold releases a pungent, musty scent that stops rooms from smelling fresh.
- Mold causes serious problems for allergy-sensitive people, as well as those with asthma, causing a physical reaction.
- A black mold infestation can cause coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing.
- Mold toxins can trigger long-lasting 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 problems or even death.
- The more prolonged 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 carefully 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 stem the tide. Moisture can saturate hidden portions of your home. Without proper cleanup methods, mold will keep coming back to these areas.
If you suspect your house may have black mold, contact Paul Davis now. We safely test and confirm the presence of black mold before starting treatment. You can depend on our specialists to eliminate black mold quickly. Don’t risk your health, get an inspection for black mold now.