Black Mold: Everything You Need to Know

Monday, June 17th, 2019

Have you noticed some build up of dark-green spots along the walls or ceiling of your building, particularly near damp regions? Is there a musty smell around such areas? If so, your home or work place could be infested with black mold. It is a situation that needs to be addressed by professional mold inspection Bay Area contractors immediately. Here is everything you need to know about black mold.

What is black mold?

It is a type of fungus that manifests itself as dark green or black spotting along walls or ceilings of a home. It is the most common class of mold that grows in dump, poorly ventilated rooms such as the bathroom, shower cubicles or laundry rooms. Black mold thrives best on surfaces containing high levels of cellulose, such as paper, gypsum boards, wood and fiberboard. They also grow under carpets and along the walls where the kitchen plumbing lays.

Ways that black mold can occur

Water intrusion into your home is the root cause of black mold growth. This could be from a leaking water pipe, a flooded basement, a leaking roof or wet roofing insulation.

Dangers posed by black mold

Black mold is not entirely dangerous itself. It however, releases harmful spores known as mycotoxins into the surrounding environment. Prolonged inhalation of mycotoxins causes black mold poisoning, whose symptoms resemble those of upper respiratory tract infection. Such symptoms may include wheezing, coughing, red eyes, running nose, stuffy nose, itchy throat, itchy skin and eyes and in adverse cases, nosebleed. Persons with pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma tend to suffer more from black mold poisoning. They may experience headaches, difficulty in breathing, persistent coughing, inflamed sinuses, lethargy and frequent chest colds.

Preventing growth of black mold

Mold growth prevention is as easy as eliminating the conditions it needs to grow in. To do so: Improve ventilation High-moisture areas such as the kitchen, bathroom and laundry room need fresh air to prevent mold growth. Make a habit of leaving the bathroom window open after showering. Alternatively, invest in high-efficiency bathroom exhaust fans that replace the warm damp bathroom air with fresh cool air. Also occasionally leave the windows in the kitchen and laundry rooms open for proper ventilation. Invest in a dehumidifier Dehumidifiers remove most of the moisture from the air. They are particularly useful in basements and laundry rooms as those rooms lack proper ventilation. Regular inspection Schedule regular inspection for your water pipes, gutters and air conditioners to address any leaks that may have developed over time.

Getting rid of mold

Black mold is stubborn to eradicate. DIY remedies may only work for a while, especially if the cause of water intrusion is not adequately addressed. It is advisable to hire a qualified contractor to perform a full-home inspection of your plumbing, roofing, and basement to address any compromised pipes or insulation. Contractors are equipped with protective gear that protects them from the harmful mycotoxins. Additionally, they come prepared with the right set of chemicals that are not too harsh on the walls nor too mild to completely get rid of the mold.