Call Paul Davis: What is Black Mold?

No homeowner wants black mold, but what is it? Black mold (also known as Stachybotrys) likes to grow in moist places and is often found in areas where condensation has collected or pools or standing water inside. Spores enter the home through doors, small openings or brought in on shoes and clothing. While most fungus around your home aren’t dangerous, black mold causes health issues if left untreated.

Signs of Black Mold Exposure

The spores black mold produces are the reason behind black mold poisoning. Symptoms include chronic coughing, irritation to the eyes, mucus membranes of the nose and throat as well as skin rashes. Other symptoms include chronic fatigue and persistent headaches. Nausea, vomiting and bleeding in the lungs and nose are seen in the most severe cases of long term exposure.

Information about Mold

Mold doesn’t take long to permeate walls, floors and ceilings. Whenever your home experiences water damage, you should have a Paul Davis technician check the walls for mold infestations. They can go ignored for weeks, and then spring up essentially overnight.

Once mold creates colonies in your living space, it immediately breeds and releases toxins that make life miserable for residents:

  • Mold emanates a pungent, musty scent that prevents rooms from smelling clean.
  • Mold wreaks havoc on allergy-sensitive people, as well as those with asthma, causing a physical reaction.
  • A black mold infestation can cause coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing.
  • Mold toxins can cause long-lasting inflammation and constant cold-like symptoms.
  • People with weakened 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 lengthy the exposure, the greater the danger.

Unusually damp homes and offices can be vulnerable to mold infestations even if no water damage has occurred. If you see or smell something that could be mold, get an expert opinion immediately.

If you want to eradicate mold, the environment where it flourishes must first be removed. Water sources have to be handled, and any residual moisture must be carefully dried out. Only then can mold removal and remediation start.

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

Call Paul Davis now if your home is infested with black mold. We safely inspect and confirm the presence of black mold before starting treatment. Depend on our contractors to remove black mold quickly. Don’t risk your health, get a black mold inspection now.