Fighting Black Mold

Every homeowner dreads black mold, but what is it? Black mold (also known as Stachybotrys) grows in damp areas and is usually found in areas where condensation has collected or near untreated puddles inside. These spores enter the home by windows, other openings and can also be brought in on shoes and clothing. While most molds found in your home are harmless, black mold leads to health problems with years of exposure.

Risks Behind Black Mold Exposure

The spores black mold produces are the main culprit behind black mold poisoning. Symptoms include chronic sneezing, eye, nose and throat irritation and rashes. Other symptoms include chronic fatigue and persistent headaches. Especially severe cases of prolonged exposure to black mold can be more dangerous. Paired with an allergy to the black mold spores, these symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, and bleeding in the lungs and nose.

Information about Mold

Mold quickly spread across walls, floors and ceilings. Whenever your home suffers water damage, you should have a Paul Davis technician check the walls for mold infestations. They can go ignored for weeks, and then appear virtually overnight.

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

  • Mold emits a strong, musty odor that prevents rooms from smelling clean.
  • Mold wreaks havoc on allergy-sensitive individuals, as well as those with asthma, causing a physical reaction.
  • A black mold infestation can cause coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and trouble breathing.
  • Mold toxins can activate long-lasting 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 problems or even death.
  • The more extended the exposure, the greater the danger.

Exceptionally damp 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 right away.

If you want to eradicate mold, the atmosphere where it prospers must first be eliminated. Water sources have to be handled, and any remaining moisture must be carefully dried out. Only then can mold elimination and remediation start.

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

If you think your home may contain black mold, call Paul Davis today. Our team inspects for presence of black mold before treatment. Depend on our professionals to remove black mold effectively. Don’t risk your health, get a black mold inspection today.