Call Paul Davis: Combating Black Mold

Every homeowner worries about black mold, but do you know what it is? Black mold (also known as Stachybotrys) likes to grow in moist environments and is often seen around condensation or where there's been water damage. Spores come into your house through windows, other entrances or brought in on personal items and clothing. While most molds around your house are harmless, black mold can cause health issues if left untreated.

What are the Health Risks?

The spores black mold produces are the reason behind black mold poisoning. Typically symptoms include chronic coughing, eye, nose and throat irritation as well as skin rashes. Additionally, chronic fatigue and persistent headaches can all be symptomatic of black mold exposure or black mold poisoning. Particularly severe occasions of prolonged exposure to black mold are more life threatening. Paired with an allergic reaction to the black mold spores, these symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, and bleeding in the lungs and nose.

Information about Mold

Mold doesn't take long to permeate 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 spring up practically overnight. Once mold produces colonies in your living space, it quickly breeds and releases toxins that make life unpleasant for occcupants:

  • Mold emanates a strong, mildewed smell that stops 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 trigger long-lasting inflammation and continuous 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 subject to mold infestations even if no water damage has happened. If you see or smell something that could be mold, get an expert opinion immediately. To get rid of mold, the atmosphere where it thrives must first be removed. Water sources have to be dealt with, and any remaining 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 close the tide. Moisture can drench out-of-sight sections of your home. Without proper cleanup procedures, mold will keep returning to these spots. If you are worried that your house may be growing black mold, contact Paul Davis today. Our team inspects for presence of black mold before treatment. You can rely on our contractors to eliminate black mold quickly. Don't risk your health, call for a black mold inspection today.