Call Paul Davis: What is Black Mold?

No homeowner wants black mold, but do you know why? Also called Stachybotrys, black mold grows in moist environments and is often found in areas where condensation has collected or near untreated puddles inside. Spores come into your home through windows, small entrances and can also be brought in on personal items and coats. While most fungus around your home are harmless, black mold can cause health issues if ignored.

Health Effects of Black Mold

Black mold is a toxic fungus with spores. The most common 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. Nausea, vomiting and bleeding in the lungs and nose occur in the most serious cases of long term exposure.

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 unnoticed for weeks, and then appear essentially overnight.

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

  • Mold releases a strong, musty odor that stops rooms from smelling fresh.
  • Mold causes problems for allergy-sensitive people, 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 constant cold-like symptoms.
  • Individuals 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 humid homes and offices can be vulnerable to mold infestations 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 flourishes must first be eliminated. Water sources have to be handled, and any residual moisture must be thoroughly dried out. Only then can mold removal and remediation start.

Whether a dripping roof, burst pipe, or other opening, it isn’t enough to stem the tide. Moisture can soak out-of-sight areas of your home. Without proper cleanup processes, mold will keep returning to these spots.

Call Paul Davis today if you suspect your home contains black mold. Our team inspects for presence of black mold before removal. Depend on our professionals to eliminate black mold quickly. Keep your family safe, schedule a black mold inspection today.