What is Black Mold?

Every homeowner worries about black mold, but do you know why? Black mold (also known as Stachybotrys) grows in wet environments and is often seen around condensation or pools or stagnant water inside. Spores come into your home via doors, other openings and can also be tracked on shoes and clothing. Although most molds around your home aren't dangerous, this species can cause illness with long term exposure.

Black Mold Poisoning

Black mold is a toxic species of mold with spores. Typically symptoms include chronic coughing, irritation to the eyes, mucus membranes of the nose and throat and rashes. Other symptoms include chronic fatigue and persistent headaches. Particularly severe occasions of long-term exposure to black mold are 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.

More 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 spring up essentially overnight. Once mold forms colonies in your living space, it immediately breeds and discharges toxins that make life unpleasant for occcupants:

  • Mold releases a strong, mildewed odor 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 trigger chronic 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 greater the danger.
Unusually humid homes and offices can be vulnerable to mold invasions even if no water damage has happened. 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 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 elimination and remediation start. Whether a leaky roof, burst pipe, or other entry point, 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 returning to these spots. Contact Paul Davis today if you suspect your home has black mold. Our team inspects for presence of black mold before removal. You can rely on our contractors to eliminate black mold effectively. Keep your family safe, call for an inspection for black mold today.