Call Paul Davis: What is Black Mold?

Every homeowner dreads black mold, but what is it? Black mold (also known as Stachybotrys) grows in wet places and is usually seen in areas where condensation has collected or anywhere near neglected water damage. Spores come into your home through windows, other entrances or tracked on personal items and coats. While most fungus around your home are harmless, black mold can cause health problems if neglected.

Health Effects of Black Mold

Black mold is a poisonous species of fungus with airborne toxins. Symptoms include chronic sneezing, eye, nose and throat irritation and rashes. Other symptoms include chronic fatigue and persistent headaches. Particularly serious occasions of long-term contact to black mold are more dangerous. Often compounded by an allergy 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 unseen for weeks, and then spring up practically overnight.

Once mold produces colonies in your living space, it quickly breeds and releases toxins that make life unpleasant for occcupants:

  • Mold emanates a strong, mildewed smell that stops rooms from smelling clean.
  • Mold causes problems for allergy-sensitive individuals, as well as those with asthma, causing a physical reaction.
  • Mold can cause coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and trouble breathing.
  • Mold toxins can trigger chronic inflammation and constant cold-like symptoms.
  • Individuals with weakened immune systems can get systemic infections of the lungs, skin, or digestive tract.
  • In rare cases, mold toxins can cause neurological issues or even death.
  • The more prolonged the exposure, the greater the danger.

Unusually humid homes and offices can be subject to mold invasions even if no water damage has happened. If you see or smell something that could be mold, get an expert opinion immediately.

To get rid of mold, the atmosphere where it thrives must first be removed. Water sources have to be dealt with, and any residual moisture must be thoroughly dried out. Only then can mold removal and remediation start.

Whether a dripping roof, burst pipe, or other opening, it isn’t enough to close the tide. Moisture can soak hidden portions of your home. Without proper cleanup processes, mold will keep coming back to these spots.

Call Paul Davis now if you think your home contains black mold. We safely test and confirm the existence of black mold before treatment. Depend on our contractors to remove black mold effectively. Don’t risk your health, get an inspection for black mold now.