What is Black Mold?

Every homeowner fears black mold, but do you know why? Black mold (also known as Stachybotrys) grows in moist environments and is often seen around condensation or pools or standing water inside. Spores come into your home by doors, other openings and can also be brought in on shoes and coats. Although most molds around your home aren't dangerous, black mold causes illness if left untreated.

How Black Mold affects Health

Black mold is a toxic species of mold that releases spores. Typically symptoms include chronic sneezing, irritation to the eyes, mucus membranes of the nose and throat and rashes. Other symptoms include chronic fatigue and persistent headaches. Particularly serious occurances of long-term contact to black mold can be more life threatening. Paired with an allergy 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 unnoticed 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 inhabitants:

  • Mold emits a strong, mildewed smell that stops 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 continuous cold-like symptoms.
  • Individuals with weakened 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 prolonged the exposure, the more severe the danger.
Exceptionally damp 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 a skillful opinion right away. If you want to eradicate mold, the atmosphere where it thrives must first be eliminated. Water sources have to be handled, and any remaining moisture must be efficiently 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 hidden areas of your home. Without proper cleanup processes, mold will keep coming back to these spots. If you think your home may contain black mold, contact Paul Davis now. Our team inspects for presence of black mold before removal. You can depend on our contractors to eliminate black mold effectively. Don't risk your health, get a black mold inspection now.