Combating Black Mold

No homeowner wants black mold, but do you know why? Also called Stachybotrys, black mold grows in damp spots and is most commonly found around condensation or near untreated puddles inside. Spores come into your home by windows, small openings and can also be tracked on shoes and coats. While most fungus found in your home aren't dangerous, this species causes health issues after long term exposure.

What are the Health Risks?

The spores black mold produces are the major cause behind black mold poisoning. Typically symptoms include chronic coughing, eye, nose and throat irritation and 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 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 creates colonies in your living space, it immediately breeds and discharges toxins that make life unpleasant for residents:

  • Mold emanates a pungent, musty odor that stops rooms from smelling fresh.
  • Mold causes serious problems for allergy-sensitive people, 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 cause long-lasting inflammation and continuous 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 problems or even death.
  • The more prolonged the exposure, the more severe the danger.
Unusually 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 environment where it prospers must first be eliminated. Water sources have to be handled, and any residual moisture must be efficiently dried out. Only then can mold removal and remediation start. Whether a leaky roof, burst pipe, or other entry point, it isn't enough to curtail the tide. Moisture can saturate hidden sections of your home. Without proper cleanup procedures, mold will keep returning to these spots. Call Paul Davis today if you think your home has black mold. We safely test and confirm the existence of black mold before removal. You can rely on our contractors to eliminate black mold effectively. Keep your family safe, request a black mold inspection today.