Black Mold

Mold helps break down both plant and animal matter. Outdoors, mold lives in shady, damp areas, and places where leaves and other vegetation decompose. Indoors, molds can grow just about anywhere as long as there is enough moisture, oxygen, and organic material available. Mold comes in a huge variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. One mold in particular, black mold, is considered by many to be the most dangerous. But what exactly is black mold and is it really as bad as people think it is?

Like all molds, black mold is a type of fungus that grows in dark, damp areas. The term black mold is generally used to describe a mold that has a black appearance. While this seems reasonable, not all black molds are dangerous, but strains such as stachybotrys chartarum do release mycotoxins. These airborne contaminants can cause some people to have respiratory issues or may even cause allergic reactions. It’s important to note that molds of other colors can also release mycotoxins and are just as harmful as black mold.

We come into contact with mold every day. It’s found both indoors and out and when mold spores are released, we all breathe it in. For most people, this really isn’t a problem. Those most affected by mold exposure are infants and children, the elderly, allergy and asthma sufferers, and people with weak immune systems. These people may experience a wide range of allergy-like symptoms including:

Exposure to mycotoxin-producing mold can lead to a more serious reaction in some people called mycotoxicosis (mold poisoning). Acute mold poisoning can lead to serious long-term health consequences including immune deficiencies or even cancer. There are many symptoms of mold poisoning that may be present in addition to the symptoms listed above including:

If you suspect that you have black mold in your home, consider it an urgent issue that needs your immediate attention. It’s imperative that the mold is removed from the affected area and that it’s controlled so it doesn’t spread. The best that you can do is to clean hard surfaces covered with mold with a bleach solution (1 cup of bleach per gallon of water). Porous materials like carpeting, insulation, or wet wallboards need to be discarded. Even if you do these things, the mold may continue to grow and thrive in a hidden spot only to reappear again at a later date. That’s why mold remediation is best left to a professional with the proper equipment and tools to completely.

Mold loves dark, damp, dirty places so the best way to keep mold away is to keep your home dry and clean. Use an exhaust fan in the bathroom and kitchen and clean up any small mold or mildew spots immediately. Experts recommend that you keep your humidity below 50%, and avoid using carpet in rooms that get wet. If you’re already doing these things and you’re still having problems with mold, the problem is much deeper.

If you’re experiencing mold issues, contact us at Twin Home Experts. We have more than 55 years of combined experience, a crew of trained professionals who understand mold and how to remove it safely. We’ll come out and inspect your home, locate the source of the mold problem, and make sure that the mold is completely removed so that you can enjoy your home again.