What is Black Mold?

No homeowner wants black mold, but what is it? Black mold (also known as Stachybotrys) likes to grow in damp environments and is most commonly found in areas where condensation has collected or where there’s been water damage. Spores come into your home by windows, other entrances and can also be brought in on personal items and coats. Although most fungus in your home are harmless, black mold can cause illness with years of exposure.

Health Effects of Black Mold

Black mold is a toxic fungus with spores. Symptoms include chronic coughing, eye, nose and throat irritation and rashes. Other symptoms include chronic fatigue and persistent headaches. Nausea, vomiting and bleeding in the lungs and nose are seen in the most serious cases of long term exposure.

More about Mold

Mold quickly spread across 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 unseen for weeks, and then spring up essentially overnight.

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

  • Mold releases a pungent, musty smell that stops rooms from smelling clean.
  • Mold causes problems for allergy-sensitive individuals, 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 activate long-lasting inflammation and ongoing cold-like symptoms.
  • People with compromised immune systems can get systemic infections of the lungs, skin, or digestive tract.
  • In rare cases, mold toxins can cause neurological problems or even death.
  • The more prolonged the exposure, the greater the danger.

Exceptionally humid homes and offices can be subject to mold infestations even if no water damage has occurred. If you see or smell something that could be mold, get a skillful opinion immediately.

If you want to eradicate mold, the environment where it thrives must first be eliminated. 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 opening, it isn’t enough to curtail the tide. Moisture can drench hidden portions of your home. Without proper cleanup procedures, mold will keep returning to these areas.

Contact Paul Davis now if you think your home contains black mold. Our team analyzes for presence of black mold before remediation. Depend on our specialists to remove black mold quickly. Don’t risk your health, schedule an inspection for black mold now.