Call Paul Davis: What is Black Mold?

No homeowner wants black mold, but what is it? Also called Stachybotrys, black mold grows in wet spots and is usually found around condensation or anywhere near untreated water damage. Spores come into your home via windows, other entrances and can also be tracked on personal items and clothing. While most molds found in your home are nothing to worry about, this species causes illness with years of exposure.

Health Effects of Black Mold

Black mold is a toxic species of mold with airborne toxins. The most common symptoms include chronic sneezing, eye, nose and throat irritation and rashes. Other symptoms include chronic fatigue and persistent headaches. Particularly severe occasions of long-term exposure to black mold can be more dangerous. Often compounded by allergic reaction to the black mold spores, these symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, and bleeding in the lungs and nose.

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 ignored for weeks, and then spring up virtually overnight.

Once mold creates colonies in your property, it immediately grows and releases toxins that make life miserable for occcupants:

  • Mold emits a strong, musty scent that prevents rooms from smelling fresh.
  • Mold wreaks havoc on 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 cause chronic inflammation and ongoing cold-like symptoms.
  • People 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 extended the exposure, the greater the danger.

Exceptionally damp 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 a skillful opinion immediately.

If you want to eradicate mold, the atmosphere where it prospers must first be removed. Water sources have to be dealt with, and any remaining moisture must be efficiently dried out. Only then can mold removal and remediation start.

Whether a leaky roof, burst pipe, or other opening, it isn’t enough to close the tide. Moisture can saturate out-of-sight portions of your home. Without proper cleanup methods, mold will keep returning to these spots.

Call Paul Davis now if your home has black mold. Our team inspects for existence of black mold before treatment. You can rely on our professionals to remove black mold effectively. Keep your family safe, get an inspection for black mold now.