Call Paul Davis: What is Black Mold?

Every homeowner worries about black mold, but what is it? Also called Stachybotrys, black mold likes to grow in wet areas and is often seen around condensation or near untreated puddles inside. These spores come into your home via doors, other entrances or tracked on personal items and clothing. While most molds found in your home aren't dangerous, black mold causes illness after long term exposure.

How Black Mold affects Health

Black mold is a toxic species of fungus with spores. Symptoms include chronic sneezing, eye, nose and throat irritation and rashes. Additionally, chronic fatigue and persistent headaches can all be symptomatic of black mold exposure or black mold poisoning. Nausea, vomiting and bleeding in the lungs and nose occur in the most serious cases of long term exposure.

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 unseen for weeks, and then appear essentially overnight. Once mold creates colonies in your property, it immediately grows and discharges toxins that make life miserable for occcupants:

  • Mold releases a strong, musty odor that stops rooms from smelling fresh.
  • 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 difficulty breathing.
  • Mold toxins can activate chronic inflammation and ongoing 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 concerns or even death.
  • The more lengthy the exposure, the more severe the danger.
Unusually humid homes and offices can be vulnerable to mold invasions even if no water damage has occurred. If you see or smell something that could be mold, get a skillful opinion immediately. To get rid of mold, the setting where it thrives must first be removed. Water sources have to be dealt with, and any remaining moisture must be thoroughly 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 curtail the tide. Moisture can soak hidden areas of your home. Without proper cleanup processes, mold will keep returning to these areas. Contact Paul Davis today if your home has black mold. Our team analyzes for presence of black mold before removal. You can rely on our professionals to eliminate black mold quickly. Don't risk your health, get a black mold inspection today.