Do You Know Black Mold?

No homeowner wants black mold, but what is it? Black mold (also known as Stachybotrys) likes to grow in damp areas and is often found in areas where condensation has collected or near untreated puddles inside. These spores enter the house via windows, other openings or tracked on personal items and clothing. While most molds around your house aren't dangerous, this species leads to health problems after years of exposure.

What are the Health Risks?

The spores black mold releases are the main culprit behind black mold poisoning. Symptoms include chronic sneezing, irritation to the eyes, mucus membranes of the nose and throat as well as skin rashes. Other symptoms include chronic fatigue and persistent headaches. Especially severe cases of prolonged contact to black mold can be more life threatening. 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 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 unseen for weeks, and then spring up practically overnight. Once mold produces colonies in your property, it quickly grows and releases toxins that make life miserable for inhabitants:

  • Mold emits a pungent, musty smell that stops rooms from smelling fresh.
  • Mold causes problems for allergy-sensitive people, 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 cause long-lasting inflammation and constant cold-like symptoms.
  • People with compromised immune systems can get systemic infections of the lungs, skin, or digestive tract.
  • In rare instances, mold toxins can cause neurological issues or even death.
  • The more lengthy the exposure, the more severe the danger.
Unusually damp homes and offices can be subject to mold invasions even if no water damage has occurred. If you see or smell something that could be mold, get an expert opinion right away. 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 carefully dried out. Only then can mold elimination and remediation start. Whether a leaky roof, burst pipe, or other opening, it isn't enough to close the tide. Moisture can drench hidden sections of your home. Without proper cleanup methods, mold will keep returning to these spots. Contact Paul Davis today if your home has black mold. Our team analyzes for presence of black mold before remediation. You can depend on our contractors to eliminate black mold quickly. Don't risk your health, call for an inspection for black mold today.