It is a common fear to worry about home repairs and other responsibilities that come with owning a home. However, things become a bit more complicated if mold is involved, especially black mold.
Detecting mold in your home can be challenging if you are unable to observe it or smell it directly. As a second consideration, it can be extremely difficult to get rid of, particularly in large or blocked areas. Furthermore, black mold in the house can cause health problems.
Are you wondering how to detect mold in your house or suspect your home may have a mold problem? You’ve come to the right place. We are going to discuss some of the most important signs of mold in your house and how to eliminate them. Keep reading!
What is Black Mold
Molds are prevalent in indoor spaces, particularly Stachybotrys chartarum, or black mold. The fungus grows in damp, dark, humid environments. The mold produces spores that can be inhaled by people or absorbed through the skin. These spores can be transported to other areas in the home and cause illness.
Several health conditions may result if the spores are ingested, including chronic fatigue, excessive coughing, irritation of the nose, eyes, and throat, nausea, vomiting, and even bruising of the lungs. If you exhibit more than one of these symptoms, you may have black mold poisoning. Seek medical treatment immediately if you experience side effects and make a plan to reduce the amount of toxic black mold in your home.
Causes of Black Mold
1. Flooding or water leaks
Mold can grow where there has been water damage in your home if there has ever been flooding or a leak. The growth of black mold can occur under your floors as well as behind the paint on your walls. Most commonly, it grows in the vicinity of leaky sink pipes.
Make sure your wall paint or wallpaper is not bubbling or cracking and that your walls aren’t bulging or warped. This can potentially indicate mold growing underneath the surface. Lastly, look for water stains or discolorations on your walls, floors, or ceilings that could be signs of mold growth.
2. Health issues
There are many signs and symptoms of mold exposure, but mold sickness can be significant in some cases. Particularly for those with allergies or asthma, mold can aggravate your symptoms to the point of making you feel ill.
A good way to test this theory is to spend some time outside of your home and observe if any symptoms persist. When your symptoms subside when you’re away, this might be a sign that mold is growing in your house. Watery eyes and a runny or itchy nose are other symptoms to watch out for. There may also be sneezing, coughing, and skin irritations.
Also Read : Reasons Why Home Mold Can Make You Sick
3. Condensation
The presence of condensation on your doors and windows indicates the presence of moisture in your home, which will eventually result in black mold growth. High humidity is another factor associated with condensation. A humid environment is conducive to mold’s growth since it needs moisture to thrive.
A dehumidifier is a good investment. You can eliminate dampness in your home with the help of a dehumidifier that can be set for the desired level of humidity. Meanwhile, you should consider getting a mold inspection done to detect and eliminate any mold growth caused by the moist environment.
4. Unusual odors
The most obvious sign that you have mold is a musty, earthy smell. Getting a strong mold smell in your house is common if your house has been closed for a few days and then reopened.
When you smell mold, it’s a wise idea to have a mold inspection done to determine where the source is. You may not always be able to see mold, so if you think there’s mold there, have a mold inspection done to be sure.
5. Visible growth
Indicators of black mold include the speed of its growth. Black mold is splotchy, blackish or brownish, and spreads quickly, unlike other molds. It’s important to take action as soon as you find a patch of black mold.
Besides black mold, there are also green, blue, and pink molds. It can be difficult to discover white mold on walls or ceilings. It appears as if just fluffy veins are coming out of the spore.
How to Prevent Black Mold in Your House ?
Once the identification process is over, follow the six steps outlined below to remove black mold:
Take necessary safety precautions – Prevent allergic reactions and health risks by taking necessary safety precautions before you begin the removal process. When removing black mold, you should wear a face mask or respirator to avoid breathing in mold spores. Be sure to wear long shirts, pants, and rubber gloves to protect your skin.
Cover the affected area – You can prevent mold spores from spreading throughout your home by covering doorways and vents. These openings can be firmly sealed off by taping a plastic sheet over them.
Eliminate the source of moisture – Any materials that have been contaminated with mold, including towels, clothing, and furniture, must be disposed of. Make repairs to leaky sources, such as a sink or window, that could be causing mold to grow. A moist area is conducive to mold growth recurrence, so make sure you do not leave any moist spots.
Wash away the mold – To remove black mold from affected surfaces, wash the surface with soapy water and use a sponge.
Make use of disinfectant products– Clean up leftover mold spores by using a disinfectant product after you’ve removed the mold. Make sure to keep these products away from children and pets when using them.
In addition to commercial mold-removal products, a simple bleach solution (one cup of bleach with one gallon of water) may be effective. To fully remove mold spores that may have spread, you should thoroughly spray the affected areas and any surrounding areas regardless of the disinfectant product you choose.
Discard used cleaning materials – Throw away all sponges, towels, and other cleaning materials in a garbage bag if you want to prevent mold exposure. If you wish to protect yourself from mold exposure, wash your hands and clothes immediately following black mold removal.
Final Thoughts
Infestations of black mold are dangerous if left untreated. This organism will not only consume every organic material it can but also harm the human body.
When you notice mold growing in your home – or suspect that there is mold somewhere – Kings Restoration recommends that you contact them immediately and request an inspection. Their mold removal services can help you determine the source of your mold issue and get the help you need to resolve it.
