Call Paul Davis: What is Black Mold?

No homeowner wants black mold, but do you know why? Also called Stachybotrys, black mold grows in damp areas and is most commonly found in areas where condensation has collected or pools or stagnant water inside. Spores enter the home through doors, small entrances or tracked on shoes and clothing. While most fungus found in your home are nothing to worry about, this variety leads to health problems after long term exposure.

Signs of Black Mold Exposure

Black mold is a toxic species of fungus that releases airborne toxins. 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 are seen in the most severe cases of long term exposure.

More 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 virtually overnight.

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

  • Mold emits a strong, mildewed odor that stops rooms from smelling clean.
  • Mold causes serious 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 long-lasting inflammation and ongoing cold-like symptoms.
  • People with weakened 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 humid 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 right away.

If you want to eradicate mold, the atmosphere where it thrives must first be removed. Water sources have to be dealt with, and any residual moisture must be efficiently dried out. Only then can mold elimination and remediation start.

Whether a leaky roof, burst pipe, or other entry point, it isn’t enough to curtail the tide. Moisture can drench hidden sections of your home. Without proper cleanup procedures, mold will keep coming back to these spots.

If you think your home may contain black mold, call Paul Davis today. Our team inspects for presence of black mold before starting treatment. You can depend on our specialists to eliminate black mold effectively. Don’t risk your health, get a black mold inspection today.