Black Mold

{When|If} people find out {they have|they’ve} mold, {usually|generally} the first thing {that |}comes to mind is,”Is this black mold?” {It’s|It is} a {valid|legitimate} concern, black {mold|mould} can be {quite|very} {dangerous|harmful} for your health.

What is Black Mold?

Black mold is a {type|sort} of toxic mold, commonly {referred to as|called} black mold, or Stachybotrys chartarum. It often accompanies water damage and can be extremely toxic to anyone or any living thing {exposed|vulnerable} to it.

{Even though|Despite the fact that} {it is|it’s} {called|known as} black mold, the mold itself is {actually|really} a greenish-black color and {may|might} have a bumpy {appearance|look}. Because {it is|it’s} {caused by|due to} water damage, the top layer is often slimy to the touch. However, {keep an eye|watch} out for a powdery form {when|once} the water dries up.

Symptoms of Black Mold

As {mentioned|stated} previously, black {mold|mould} is {very|quite} {toxic|poisonous} to humans and animals. Not only can you visually identify the {mold|mould}, but there are also some symptoms and warning signs that you can keep an eye out for that can help identify that you have a black mold problem:

• Breathing problems
• Fatigue, headaches, {tiredness|fatigue }
• Nausea
• Confusion/brain fog
• {Anxiety|Stress }
• {Difficulty|difficulty} concentrating or paying attention
• Asthma attacks
• Coughing or sneezing excessively
• {Mental|Emotional} impairment (memory loss)
• Skin inflammation (red itchy eyes, {mouth or nose|nose or mouth })
• Damage to internal organs

Some of these seem minor, but there are symptoms {that|which} are {very|extremely} serious and {need|have} to {be|get} checked out immediately. Not only are these {ailments|disorders} bothersome but the black mold can also cause {permanent|irreversible} damage to your {health|wellbeing}. If the mold {is not|isn’t} found and taken care of immediately, you {can|may} {certainly|definitely} suffer long term medical {issues|problems}.

Identifying Black Mold

Not only can you {see|find} the mold to know {it is|it’s} there, but black {mold|mould} also has a {distinct|different} smell to it. It smells very {musty|plump} and a lot like {mildew|mould}. Similar to other {types|forms} of mold, black mold is {very|quite} adept at finding many {different|diverse} {places|areas} {that |}it likes to call home.

The mold can be {located|found} underneath the {carpet|carpeting}, behind wallpaper, on the furniture, {roofing|roof}, under sinks, and other {places|areas} that would {normally|ordinarily} come into contact with moisture. Unfortunately, if the {mold|mould} is {located|situated} in AC units or air ducts, the {smell|odor} {cannot|can’t} be detected until the air is blown through it, causing it to spread throughout your {home|residence}.

Black Mold Growth

{Even though|Despite the fact that} it {doesn’t|does not} grow as fast as other molds, it {still |}only takes about a week {for|to get} black mold to present itself. {Once|When} the mold {grows|develops}, it forces {out |}any other mold {that is|that’s} growing nearby and {completely |}takes over the {environment|surroundings}.

Removal of Black Mold

Since black mold is {so|indeed} extremely toxic, {it’s|it is} removal is something you {need|will need} to leave {up to|until} the professionals. Knowing the {basics|fundamentals} of {mold|mould} removal can be {extremely|particularly} helpful for you to {determine|ascertain} {what|which} {type|kind} of professional you should {hire|employ}.

If you disturb the black {mold|mould}, it {will|is going to} release spores that {are not|aren’t} visible to the naked eye, mycotoxins will {release|discharge} {into|in} the {air|atmosphere} and drift throughout your {home|dwelling}. The spores are {very|extremely} hardy and survive under conditions {in which|where} other {types|kinds} of mold {cannot|can’t} grow, such as dry {environments|surroundings}. Once the spores land {somewhere|someplace} with water, {that is|that’s} when the mold {starts|begins} to grow and spread.

During the removal process, {it is|it’s} suggested you and your family to vacate the {home|house} temporarily for {safety|security} reasons. You should ideally only return {once|after} the toxic mold {has been|was} completely {removed|eliminated}. A professional company will also test the {environment|surroundings} to {make sure|be certain} all {of |}the toxic black mold {has been|was} removed completely.

Black Mold Treatment

There {really is|is actually} no way to {cure|fix} or {any|some other} antidote {that|which} {can|could} be taken for exposure to black mold. You can either {remove|get rid of} the mold or {remove|eliminate} yourself. If {you are|you’re} away from the {mold|mould}, your body will {start|begin} to {recover|recuperate} and the symptoms should go away with time. However, {there is|there’s} always the {chance|possibility} that the {damage|harm} to yourself or your {home|house} could be permanent.

How Does Black Mold Get Inside a {House|Home}?

Mold spores find their way {inside|indoors} by hitchhiking on {clothes|clothing}, pet fur, and air {currents|pollutants} {into|to} your {home|dwelling}. But spores {can’t|can not} get comfortable without {plenty|lots} of water. This is {why|the reason} you’ll usually find black mold around water-damaged areas {impacted|affected} by {plumbing|pipes} issues like {floods|flooding} or leaky pipes.

Materials like drywall, {carpet|carpeting}, or gypsum board can soak up water, {creating|making} a perfect {home|house} for a black mold colony. If you {find|discover} water damage at home, it’s {crucial|vital} to remove all {the|of the} affected {materials|substances} to prevent {mold|mould} from growing.

Black Mold Removal and Cleaning

Mold remediation in {stores|shops}, offices, or schools is best left to the {pros|experts}. This also applies to {household|family} mold exceeding 10 square feet.

The contractors you {choose|select} should have {insurance and licenses|licenses and insurance} from organizations {like|such as} the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).

Homeowners can {handle|manage} cleaning about 10 square feet ({roughly|approximately} 3 feet by 3 feet) of black mold {on|in} their {own|}.3 If the patch is small enough, a {combination|mix} of {bleach, water|water, bleach}, scrubbing, and {ventilation|venting} should do {the trick|just fine}.

Before treating mold {on your own|by yourself}, prioritize ventilation and protective {gear|equipment}.

Clear the Air

Start the cleaning {process|procedure} by opening {doors and windows|windows and doors} to {create|make} a cross breeze. Dehumidifiers {can|may} also dry up the {air|atmosphere} and strip {precious|valuable} moisture away from {mold|mould} growth.

Protect Yourself

Even if you {aren’t|are not} sensitive to mold, {it’s|it is} nasty stuff. {Be|Make} sure to wear protective eyewear, non-porous gloves, and a breathing mask to protect yourself from {getting|becoming} sick.

{Create|Produce} a Bleach Mixture

If the black mold growth in your {home|house} is small enough for {you|one} to {treat|deal with} alone, a simple {mixture|combination} of {bleach and water|water and bleach} can help. Add {one|1} cup of bleach to {one|a} gallon of water and apply it {to|into} the moldy spots. You can also find commercial black mold removal products.

Apply the cleaner to the mold {spot|place} and {scrub away|wash off} the growth. {Be sure to|Make sure you} dry the area thoroughly when {you’re|you are} done.

Important: Do NOT mix bleach with ammonia. This {combination|mixture} can create toxic fumes {that|which} are {far|a lot} more {dangerous|harmful} than any mold {you’re|you are} trying to clean.

Black Mold Prevention

Nobody wants black mold in their {home|house} or building. Follow these rules to {reduce|decrease} the {chances|odds} of mold on your {property|premises}.

Watch for Water

Flooding, leaky pipes, and malfunctioning appliances {can|may} {all |}cause water damage. {Once|After} water seeps into a porous surface {like|such as} drywall, black mold and its cousins are {likely|most likely} to appear. 

Water {detectors|sensors } can help you {catch|capture} faulty appliances and {leaks|escapes} early.

{If you do|Should you} find water damage in your home, treat it and cut off the {problem|issue} {area’s|region’s} water {source|supply} {as soon as|when} possible. You’ll also {need|have} to remove {flooring|floors}, ceiling tiles, or any other {material|substance} that was affected by {the |}water.

Keep It Clean and Dry

It never hurts to {clean|wash} regularly. Make sure humid {areas and rooms|rooms and areas} with plumbing get {regular|routine} spot checks. Add mold and {mildew|mold} removal products {to|into} your cleaning {routine|regimen}, {especially|particularly} for the {bathroom and kitchen|kitchen and bathroom}.

Mold thrives on moisture, so use dehumidifiers in humid {areas|regions} of your {home|house} {like|such as} {bathrooms|baths}, basements, or {closets|cabinets}.

The Verdict on Black Mold: Best Avoided–But Not {Deadly|Heard}

{As for|In terms of} black {mold’s|mould’s} {toxic|poisonous} reputation, those with immune suppression, asthma, or other respiratory problems are most {at risk of|vulnerable to} feeling {ill|sick}.

It’s not {likely|probable} {that |}you’ll die from black mold poisoning {because|as} it’s just not that {toxic|hazardous}. {That said|Having said that}, you should act {quickly|fast} {if|in the event} you {find|discover} it in your {home|dwelling}. The {good|fantastic} news is {it’s|it is} {treatable|removable}, removable, and preventable.