Call Paul Davis: Do You Know Black Mold?

Every homeowner dreads black mold, but do you know why? Also called Stachybotrys, black mold grows in damp places and is usually found around condensation or near untreated puddles inside. Spores come into your home by windows, small openings or brought in on personal items and clothing. Although most molds around your home are harmless, this variety causes health problems if left untreated.

How Black Mold affects Health

Black mold is a poisonous species of fungus with spores. Symptoms include chronic coughing, irritation to the eyes, mucus membranes of the nose and throat and rashes. Other symptoms include chronic fatigue and persistent headaches. 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 experiences water damage, you should have a professional check the walls for mold infestations. They can go unseen for weeks, and then spring up virtually overnight. Once mold produces colonies in your living space, it quickly grows and discharges toxins that make life miserable for inhabitants:

  • Mold emits a strong, mildewed smell that prevents rooms from smelling fresh.
  • Mold wreaks havoc on allergy-sensitive individuals, as well as those with asthma, making symptoms flare up.
  • Mold can cause coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing.
  • Mold toxins can trigger chronic 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 concerns or even death.
  • The more lengthy the exposure, the greater the danger.
Unusually damp 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 setting where it thrives must first be eliminated. Water sources have to be dealt with, and any residual moisture must be thoroughly 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 stem the tide. Moisture can saturate out-of-sight sections of your home. Without proper cleanup procedures, mold will keep returning to these areas. Call Paul Davis today if you think your home contains black mold. Our team analyzes for presence of black mold before removal. You can rely on our specialists to eliminate black mold quickly. Keep your family safe, call for a black mold inspection today.