Call Paul Davis: What is Black Mold?

Every homeowner worries about black mold, but do you know what it is? Also called Stachybotrys, black mold grows in wet spots and is often found around condensation or pools or standing water inside. Spores enter the house by doors, small openings and can also be brought in on personal items and clothing. While most molds around your house are nothing to worry about, black mold can cause illness if ignored.

How Black Mold affects Health

The spores black mold produces are the major cause behind black mold poisoning. Typically symptoms include chronic sneezing, irritation to the eyes, mucus membranes of the nose and throat as well as skin rashes. Other symptoms include chronic fatigue and persistent headaches. Particularly serious occasions of prolonged contact 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 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 unseen for weeks, and then spring up virtually overnight.

Once mold produces colonies in your property, it quickly grows and discharges toxins that make life difficult for occupants:

  • Mold releases a pungent, musty smell that stops rooms from smelling clean.
  • Mold causes problems for allergy-sensitive people, as well as those with asthma, making symptoms flare up.
  • Mold can cause coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and trouble breathing.
  • Mold toxins can cause chronic inflammation and constant cold-like symptoms.
  • People with compromised immune systems can get systemic infections of the lungs, skin, or digestive tract.
  • In rare cases, mold toxins can cause neurological concerns or even death.
  • The more extended the exposure, the greater the danger.

Unusually damp 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 right away.

To get rid of mold, the atmosphere where it prospers must first be eliminated. 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 leaky roof, burst pipe, or other entry point, it isn’t enough to stem the tide. Moisture can soak hidden areas of your home. Without proper cleanup procedures, mold will keep coming back to these spots.

Call Paul Davis today if you think your home contains black mold. We safely inspect and confirm the presence of black mold before remediation. Depend on our specialists to remove black mold quickly. Keep your family safe, request a black mold inspection today.