How To Know You Have Black Mold

Differences Between Mold And Mildew

How To Test For Black Mold In 5 Minutes

While mold and mildew are both fungi that need water, oxygen, and food in order to live and survive, they differ in a number of ways. Mold tends to have a higher profile and can even become fuzzy, while mildew is usually flat. Mold exhibits darker colors such as deep green and black mildew may begin as white, then turn brown or gray.

How Do I Know If My Cough Is From Mold

Coughing. Another one of the most immediate symptoms of a mold allergy is a dry and scratchy throat, prompting a nagging cough. In some cases, mold can cause heavier coughs as well. Mucus and histamine production can lead to persistent coughing as your body tries to clear the throat of mucus buildup.

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How To Prevent Mold And Mildew

Keep things clean.
Increase ventilation in the affected area with exhaust fans.

Install dehumidifiers to reduce humidity.
Ensure that sources of natural ventilation such as windows remain open, if possible.
Make sure that sources of mechanical venting such as HVAC vents remain open and unblocked.

Inspect vents for clothes dryers and ensure that vents are clean and that they are attached.

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Can Black Mold Spores Travel In The Air

Yes. Mold spores are airborne and can attach themselves to peoples skin, clothing, shoes, shopping bags, furniture, carpets, and even pets. Once spores enter your home, they can settle onto any surface and start to multiply. They can also enter your house through open doorways, open windows, and HVAC systems.

Mold spores are microscopic and are virtually found everywhere. They are naturally found in the air we breathe, both indoors and outdoors. Since spores are tiny and lightweight, they become airborne easily, every time we vacuum or walk on the carpets or even sit on our couch.

Tips On How To Remove Mold From Home

The first step is to locate and confirm the presence of mold. In addition to looking for the obvious discoloration spots, you can have your home tested for mold. According to homeadvisor.com, the average cost to test for mold is $834. However there are home mold-testing kits available for $10 to $50.

It is quite important that you remove the mold the moment you discover it, because the spores can affect the quality of air in your home. It is always advisable to hire a professional to remove the mold, but if you do it yourself, use an OSHA approved respirator, gloves, disposable coveralls, non-vented goggles. Listed below are a few tips on how you can remove mold from your house:

Remove moldy materials

If not properly disposed of, moldy materials may stir up spores, which can spread into your house. Because of their microscopic size, a square foot of wall can have over 3,000 million mold spores. You have to use the appropriate equipment and follow the safety procedures so as to protect yourself from the spores.

Excessive levels of contamination may require that you discard absorbent materials such as carpets, wall paper etc. To avoid airspore becoming airborne, professionals seal off the affected area with tape, and use plastic sheets to seal doorways and vents. They also use air movers, dehumidifiers and HEPA air scrubbers to eliminate moisture and dry out the air and surfaces.

Heating, Insulation and Ventilation

Find and fix interior plumbing leaks

Check the ductwork

What Happens If There Is Black Mold In Your House

Black Mold Exposure Symptoms Most commonly, these symptoms include coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes, and irritated throat and nasal passages. Exposure to black mold has also been reported to cause chronic fatigue, headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Fungal infections can also occur upon exposure to mold.

How To Identify Black Mold On Other Surfaces

Black mold has a distinct look that should signal to you its presence on other surfaces in your home. It may look dark green or gray, depending on where it is growing. It also may simply look like black, fuzzy spots growing in dark and wet corners of the floor, ceiling, walls and other areas.

If other surfaces in your home have been exposed to moisture, humidity or water and have this type of growth on them, you should suspect that the spores are actually black fungus. The spots may even be difficult to sweep or scrub and only be removed and killed if you spray bleach or ammonia on them.

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Cleaning Up Black Mold

The processof cleaning up black mold is much more complex than most people think. If youtry to clean it up yourself, your symptoms of black mold exposure may worsen. Additionally, if you are not careful thecleanup process may cause black mold spores to become airborne and crosscontaminate other parts of your home.

Instead ofputting your health at risk, we recommend that you meet with a mold removalspecialist. Most mold removal specialists will give a free home inspection andevaluation, so even if you are thinking of doing the cleanup yourself you canstill get some free advice. They will inspect your home, help you find hiddenmold, discuss the best techniques for removing the mold in your particularcase, recommend prevention strategies to make sure the mold does not return,and give you a price quote. For a list of mold removal specialists offeringfree home inspections in your area, just follow the link

Can I Just Get Into The Wall And Use Bleach To Clean It

How You Can Test Yourself for Mold Poisoning RIGHT NOW!

It may be tempting to get into the wall and spray everything with bleach by yourself. However, if you have never done this before, it is better to call someone licensed to deal with mold. This is especially true if you have never gone into the wall and dont know how to detect how extensive the mold damage is. Leaving the eradication of mold to professionals will save not only your health but also your sanity. A professional team will have all the protective gear, detection tools and methods necessary to get rid of all the mold in your home.

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How Do I Know If The Mold Has Been Fully Removed Once It Is Been Remediated

Bill W. Santa Clarita CA.

You can always hire a third party mold inspector to verify. Always make sure you hire a Los Angeles black mold removal expert, youll see their work and they will provide you spectacular results giving you peace of mind.

They should also provide you a great warranty as well.

How Can You Be Exposed To Black Mold

You can be exposed to black mold, or any species of mold, by breathing in microscopic mold particles in the air, or through consumption of food that contains it.

Stachybotrys is unique because its spores are sticky and easily adhere to a surface when the mold colony dries. They are not regularly found in the air unless the mold colony has been disturbed. Though its spores are not readily airborne, black mold can produce other harmful contaminants more easily found in the air .

A disruption to a black mold colony can be as simple as slamming a door, opening a window or knocking into contaminated furniture. More force is required for Stachybotrys spores to become airborne, as compared to other commonly found indoor molds .

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Dark Colored Spots On Your Walls

A key indication of mold growth is discovering discoloration on your walls. In many cases, this change of color first comes when the walls are wet. However, as mold grows, the size of the colony may lead to it being seen as a color change on walls. In either case, it is best to investigate the cause of the discoloration quickly.

What Does Black Mold Exposure Treatment Look Like

how do you know if you have black mold in your basement

Just like the diagnosis, the treatment of mold exposure differs from doctor to doctor. One thing most doctors will advise you to do is to test for and, if needed, remove any unhealthy mold conditions from your home. Even if the treatment will help in the short-term, it wont be effective over the long-term if your indoor environment isnt improved.

To treat the symptoms, doctors may suggest:

Over-the-counter medication. Medicine that would decrease the airway inflammation and suppress the allergic reactions.
Nasal sprays to deal with a runny or stuffy nose or rinses to clear your nasal passages from inhaled mold spores.
Regular allergy medicine

A persons immune system has to be working properly to fight mold symptoms, so changes in a lifestyle or diet might be necessary. In more severe cases of allergies, doctors prescribe immunotherapy to provide relief from symptoms

What Kind Of Mold Is Black And Slimy

Black mold spreads rapidly, so what starts out as a little bit of mold in a corner can quickly grow to nightmarish proportions. Black mold, officially known as stachybotrys chartarum and sometimes referred to as toxic mold, is typically black and slimy in appearance.

How can you tell if you have black mold in your body? A blood test, sometimes called the radioallergosorbent test, can measure your immune systems response to mold by measuring the amount of certain antibodies in your bloodstream known as immunoglobulin E antibodies. What does toxic black mold look like? Look for visible growth:

How Does Black Mold Form

The main reason behind the formation of black mold is moisture, which can be caused by several things, such as, water leakage, lack of proper ventilation, flooding, irregular maintenance, humidifiers, condensation, clogged-up gutters, damp clothes, humid basements, or even water accumulation around the foundation of your house.

Did you know?

Stachybotrys is the 3rd common toxic mold type found in homes we tested?! Find out more exciting mold stats and facts inside our mold statistics page.

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How To Identify Mold Vs Mildew In Your Home

Mold and mildew are often spoken of together, almost as if they were the same substance. We fear mold and mildew growing below our homes in crawl spaces, under house siding, around the bathroom wall surround, and behind the sink. Excessive, pervasive mold and mildew can hamper a house sale or cause homeowners to move their bedroom elsewhere. Neither mold nor mildew is welcomed in the home, in any form.

Though the terminology can be confusing, mildew refers to specific types of fungus, including some types of mold. That said, not all mildew and mold should be treated the same. Safely eradicating mold and mildew is crucial to keeping you safe and your home in good shape.

Do You Think You Have Black Mold In Your Home See How You Can Tell

Housecleaning Tips : How to Identify Black Mold

Twin Home Experts have been removing inspecting & testing for Black mold for almost 32 years. When it comes to Identifying black mold, there is a lot of misconceptions and information that we would like to clarify in todays post.

We will answer the most frequent questions we get here regarding black mold.

Starting with The number one question: HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE BLACK MOLD?

Sarah A. Long Beach, CA.

Mold in general is typically black in color, this is why we get this question.

When there is black toxic mold present, active & growing, youll know by smell, and if your sensitive, youll feel symptoms like small headaches, itchy eyes, redness in the eyes, throat feels tight and lite coughing will occur.

This black mold is called Stachybotrys and its a genus of molds, hyphomycetes or asexually reproducing, filamentous fungi, now placed in the family Stachybotryaceae. Historically, it was considered closely related to the genus Memnoniella, because the spores are produced in slimy heads rather than in dry chains.

So one true way to determine is by air testing or direct sampling, then a mold lab will identify what it is for you. But, if you can see it, its very slimy in appearance.

If you want a MOLD TESTING & REMEDIATION ESTIMATE call the Twins at 941-0757.

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How To Identify Black Mold On Drywall

Drywall can also take on a distinct look after spores have spread and taken root in it. Like wood, it can look water stained and discolored. The drywall in your walls and ceilings can become yellowed, browned or have what looks to be water streaks in it.

Rot is another common side effect of this fungal growth. The drywall fixtures in your home might collapse or fall through easily because of it. They also may be easy to crumble or tear holes in if you touch or step on them.

Finally, fungal-infested drywall can smell musty, old and dirty. If you notice these types of odors in your drywall fixtures, you should suspect that they are full of spores and need to be torn out and replaced immediately.

How To Prevent Black Mold Growth

Conducting routine home inspections and maintenance are the best ways to deal with a black mold problem. Keep an eye out for evidence of water damage and visible mold on a regular basis. The conditions that cause mold should be corrected in a timely manner to prevent mold from growing further.

The extent of structural damage black mold can cause to your home, depends on how quickly you act to fix it.

Some of the ways you can keep mold out of your home is by:

Controlling humidity levels. Relative humidity inside your home should never be higher than 50%. On excessively humid days, using air conditioners, ventilation systems or dehumidifiers can help control humidity.

Managing day-to-day moisture in your home.

Ensuring adequate ventilation in kitchens and bathrooms when cooking, showering, cleaning, etc.

Using mold inhibitors.

Cleaning the house regularly with anti-mold cleaners.

To completely get rid of black mold from your home, you must address the root cause of the problem, so that there is no recurrence of mold. For example, just cleaning up the mold without addressing the moisture problem will not solve the issue because the mold will very likely return.

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Black Mold Symptoms And Health Effects

Learn about black mold symptoms and health effects so that you can identify indicators of black mold exposure and black mold poisoning.

A mold infested room of an old building.

Dariusz Majgier

Mold in homes can be a costly and dangerous problem, particularly when infestations of toxic black mold occur. The symptoms and health effects of black mold exposure and black mold poisoning cover a wide range of health problems, but understanding the indicators can help keep you and your family safe.

Toxic black mold, or Stachybotrys chartarum, as it’s known to scientists, can release spores as it feeds on organic materials in common household materials like drywall, carpet, insulation or sub-flooring that have been exposed to moisture. These spores, if ingested or inhaled, can cause a range of unpleasant and even dangerous symptoms in humans.

How Can I Check For Mold

Its best to hire a professional to help you identify and remove mold, especially if youre allergic or vulnerable to it.

You should also consider hiring help if the mold covers more than 10 square feet or if its hidden behind wallpaper, ceiling tiles, or other areas.

Here are some steps for identifying and removing mold.

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What Is The Difference Between Black Mold And Regular Mold

The only two things you know for sure when you see black mold is you have mold and that it is black in color. Thats all. Scientifically, there is no mold genera or species that is called black mold or toxic black mold. Of the million-plus species of mold, about 20,000 species are indeed black.

Where Can I Find Black Mold

If youre hoping to locate black mold in your home for the reason of removal, then there are some things you will need to know first. One of those things is where you are likely to find black mold in your home. With more knowledge on this topic, you will be more likely to have success in your search.

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Symptoms Ofblack Mold Exposure

If you suspect that you have symptoms of black mold exposure, then it is important to talk with a doctor as soon as possible in order to prevent serious health problems. The dangers of black mold should not be taken lightly, because they can cause both short-term and long-term health conditions. Many people don’t realize how severe these health conditions can be, so this article is designed to help you understand the serious nature of mold exposure.

If you arebeing exposed to black mold, it is best to talk to a doctor and a mold removalspecialist as soon as possible. The doctor will be able to help you treatsymptoms that are already present, and the mold removal specialist can clean upthe mold in order to prevent additional symptoms from occurring.

How Common Is Mold In Buildings

9 Signs You Have Toxic Mold In Your Home

Molds are very common in buildings and homes. Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.

The most common indoor molds are Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus. We do not have precise information about how often different molds are found in buildings and homes.

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