Do You Know Black Mold?

Every homeowner worries about black mold, but do you know why? Black mold (also known as Stachybotrys) grows in moist environments and is usually seen around condensation or pools or stagnant water inside. Spores come into your home by doors, small openings or tracked on shoes and coats. While most molds in your home aren't dangerous, this variety causes illness with long term exposure.

Health Effects of Black Mold

Black mold is a toxic fungus with spores. Typically symptoms include chronic sneezing, eye, nose and throat irritation and rashes. In addition, chronic fatigue and persistent headaches can all be symptomatic of black mold exposure or black mold poisoning. Especially severe occasions of long-term contact 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

Black mold grows quickly, so you should never delay calling a professional to inspect for mold growth. They can go ignored for weeks, and then appear practically overnight. Once mold produces colonies in your living space, it quickly grows and releases toxins that make life difficult for occcupants:

  • Mold emanates a pungent, musty smell that stops rooms from smelling fresh.
  • Mold wreaks havoc on allergy-sensitive people, 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 trigger long-lasting inflammation and constant 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 issues or even death.
  • The more prolonged the exposure, the more severe the danger.
Unusually damp 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 immediately. If you want to eradicate mold, the atmosphere where it prospers must first be removed. Water sources have to be dealt with, 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 opening, it isn't enough to stem the tide. Moisture can drench out-of-sight sections of your home. Without proper cleanup processes, mold will keep coming back to these areas. If you think your home may be growing black mold, reach out to Paul Davis now. Our team analyzes for existence of black mold before starting treatment. You can depend on our contractors to eliminate black mold effectively. Don't risk your health, schedule a black mold inspection now.