What Do I Need to Know About Black Mold?

August 6, 2018

No one wants to share their house with this nasty fungus but somehow mold still finds its way to become a part of our lives. As our cohabitant, mold is dangerous to our furniture, the structure of our home, and to our health. A reliable mold inspection in Laguna Niguel is your best option if you suspect that toxic mold is growing somewhere in your home. Your trusted mold removal experts will conduct a thorough inspection and testing, and remediate any areas affected by mold and mildew.

With more than 100,000 species, mold comes in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes so it is almost impossible to tell which type of mold you have until it is tested by certified professionals. Stachybotrys chartarum is a species of mold that is also known as toxigenic black mold. You may have heard about it most often. It can cause a range of dangerous symptoms in humans, which is why its effective removal from affected houses is all occupants’ top priority. Want to find out more? Read on!

What does black mold look like and where does it grow?

Black mold is a slimy, dark greenish-black or sometimes grey mold. After the water source runs out, it often appears as powdery and dry due to lack of moisture. It usually begins growing in the corner of the wall but it tends to spread fast into a larger area so it’s recommended that you call local mold removal experts before it turns into a bigger issue.

Mold needs damp, moisture and, preferably, warm conditions to start growing. It also needs a material that is low in nitrogen and high in cellulose. This means that mold can grow on wood products, cardboard, paper products, insulation, drywall, fabric, carpet, wallpaper, upholstery, paint… basically, on any organic building materials.

If your house in Laguna Niguel has been flooded or you have a water leak, keep in mind that mold needs only 24-48 hours to start growing. Walls, floors, roofs, windows, furniture, ceilings, pipes… these are all places where you can find mold after they have been affected by moisture.

What are black mold symptoms?

Black mold can release mycotoxins, which are carried on the mold spores and found throughout the mold colony. If you try to remove black mold yourself, these spores will become airborne and quickly contaminate other parts of your Laguna Niguel home.

You will also breathe in the spores you stirred up, which may lead to serious health consequences, especially if you are allergic to mold. Once the mycotoxins are inhaled or ingested, you may experience breathing difficulties, sneezing and/or coughing, diarrhea, vomiting and/or nausea, impaired concentration, headaches, fatigue, itching and redness to your nose, eyes, and mouth.

Depending on the duration of mold exposure or the level of mycotoxins, you may have one or any combination of these symptoms. Thus, don’t hesitate to call certified mold removal experts to conduct a thorough, safe, and reliable mold remediation.

What is the best toxic mold treatment?

Have you had water damage, spotted a mold colony or noticed a musty odor in your home? Perhaps you are suffering some of the above-mentioned symptoms and now you are wondering what steps you should take to remove mold from your home.

The only safe and effective way to deal with mold is to hire local mold removal experts. Mold and mildew often grow in hidden places so they can be discovered only during a professional mold inspection. Mold inspectors will detect even the most minimal disturbance to your Laguna Niguel house. What’s more, these specialists are able to remove mold from your environment and, when necessary, perform water damage restoration.

Call your trusted local mold removal experts

If you suspect that you have black mold in your home, call Emergency Home Solutions, one of the leading local mold removal experts in Orange County. We boast more than 15 years of experience, superior customer care and unmatched expertise, and are certified by the EPA for mold removal.

We can deal with any type of plumbing emergency, mold and water damage situation and are available 24/7! Contact us today!