What is Black Mold?

No homeowner wants black mold, but what is it? Also called Stachybotrys, black mold likes to grow in wet spots and is usually seen in areas where condensation has collected or where there's been water damage. These spores enter the house via windows, small entrances and can also be tracked on personal items and coats. While most molds in your house aren't dangerous, black mold leads to health problems after years of exposure.

Health Effects of Black Mold

Black mold is a poisonous mold with airborne toxins. 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. Especially severe occurances of long-term exposure to black mold can be more dangerous. 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 practically overnight. Once mold produces colonies in your property, it immediately grows and releases toxins that make life miserable for residents:

  • Mold emits a pungent, mildewed smell that prevents rooms from smelling fresh.
  • Mold wreaks havoc on 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 activate long-lasting inflammation and ongoing cold-like symptoms.
  • Individuals 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.
Exceptionally humid homes and offices can be vulnerable 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 dealt with, and any residual moisture must be thoroughly 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 curtail the tide. Moisture can soak out-of-sight portions of your home. Without proper cleanup methods, mold will keep coming back to these spots. Call Paul Davis today if your home contains black mold. Our team analyzes for presence of black mold before starting treatment. Depend on our contractors to eliminate black mold quickly. Keep your family safe, request a black mold inspection today.