Understanding And Locating Black Mold In The Home
If you have mold in your home, then you may want to clean it up immediately before any permanent damage forms on your walls or ceilings. While this is usually a good idea, it is wise to hire a mold inspection or remediation expert to help get rid of black mold. Keep reading to learn about this mold and to learn about signs that the mold is present in your home.
Understanding Black Mold
Black mold is a term used to describe toxic mold in the house, and this type of mold is a species of fungi named Stachybotrys. There are many different varieties of this mold, and there are also many other species that are considered toxic as well that do not fall in the Stachybotrys category. However, all of these molds have one in common, they produce something called mycotoxins that can make both people and animals quite ill. These chemicals are released into the air and breathed in through the nose and mouth. This can cause asthma and other serious breathing problems.
Fortunately, mycotoxins attach themselves to mold spores and fly through the air only when the toxic mold is disturbed in some way. This is one reason why it is always best to contact a mold specialist to get rid of the mold for you if you suspect that it is toxic. Also, it is best to minimize the use of fans, air conditioner, and forced air heaters until a mold inspection can be completed.
Locating Black Mold
It can be incredibly difficult to identify mold as a toxic variety just by looking at it. This is why professionals will take swab samples of different types of mold in the home and send them to a laboratory for evaluation. There are some signs that you may have a toxic mold in the home, though. For example, if the mold you see appears after drywall has been damaged extensively by water, then it may be toxic mold. Black mold varieties will often grow on any material that is high in cellulose, and this includes any paper product like drywall. The mold likes extremely damp areas as well.
Also, if the mold has an extremely strong musty odor, then it may be a dangerous type of mold. This is also true if the mold is a dark green or almost black color. Black molds are not a pure black color, but their dark appearance is what gives them their name. The mold is also likely to look slimy on the outside. This is much different from other molds that look puffy or powdery.
If you're worried about mold in your home, contact a professional like those at American Environmental Specialists LLC.