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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Can I Remove Black Mold Myself
If the black mold growth in your home is small enough for you to treat alone, a simple mixture of bleach and water can help. Add one cup of bleach to one gallon of water and apply it to the moldy spots. Apply the cleaner to the mold spot and scrub away the growth. Be sure to dry the area thoroughly when youre done.
How Did I Get Mold
Like any other living thing, mold needs food and water to thrive. Mold problems start when a mold spore thats floating in the air lands on a wet piece of organic material , takes root and starts to multiply. Mold spores are everywhere in the air, including in the cleanest of homes.
In fact, every breath you take likely has some mold spores in it at low levels! In the home, mold usually grows wherever there is dampness and moisture, like basements, attics, kitchens and bathrooms, or areas that have experienced flooding.
With over 100,000 species, mold comes in about any size, shape, and color you can think of, making it impossible to tell what type of mold you have without testing by a certified mold inspection professional.
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Use A Humidity Monitor
Lastly, put up a humidity monitor in your home. This will let you know if the humidity levels are within a healthy range. By watching over the humidity level, you can prevent your home from being a breeding ground of black molds.
On average, the ideal humidity level for household settings is 30% to 50%. Once it goes beyond 55%, your home becomes an ideal place for mold growth. This is what you need to avoid.
A humidity monitor will keep an eye on the moisture level. This way, you can act fast to fix leaks and remove other sources of dampness.
Is Black Mold Dangerous Heres The Truth
The truth is, many people arent negatively affected by mold. However, mold can cause allergies in some people who are sensitive to mold. In these cases, it can make their lives miserable. Mold can also cause severe medical issues with a small percentage of people who have other health complications.
If youve seen a concerning growth in your home or been told that you have a black mold issue, you probably have a lot of questions.
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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.
Black Mold Eats Cellulose
One important thing to remember is that it is attracted to cellulose. Wood contains this black mold food, so it will commonly be found growing on wood around the home. Other materials that contain cellulose include drywall, wallpaper, and even some paint. So, black mold could easily also be found on the walls and ceiling, depending on the composition of them in your home.
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Black Mold Causes Severe Side Effects
Black mold emits something called mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are irritants that black mold and other mold types give off. When these irritants are inhaled, the person can quickly experience negative side effects. These can include side effects ranging from mild irritation to permanent brain damage.
When you are exposed to these irritants for a prolonged period of time, the side effects worsen. This means that the longer you go without finding the black mold in your home, the worse off you and your family can be.
These side effects are certainly unpleasant and dangerous for adults to be exposed to, but others are at even more risk. Children and senior citizens are at particularly high risk when it comes to black mold. With weakened immune systems and strength, these age groups could experience a fatal event if exposed for prolonged periods of time.
Differences Between Mold And Mildew
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.
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Testing For Black Mold
You can have your mold tested to find out exactly what kind it is. Cost varies, but you can expect to pay hundreds of dollars to determine the type of mold.
There are also black mold testing kits, available at the hardware store or on , that you can purchase for around $35-50. With this DIY route, you take samples from a suspected affected surface, then send off to be tested in a lab.
Signs Your Home Has Toxic Black Mold
There are many different kinds of mold, and each comes with their own signs and symptoms. While all types of mold can affect your health, the biggest risk comes with toxigenic mold. Of these toxigenic molds, the most common is stachybotrys chartarum, or toxic black mold. Black mold grows in environments with a high cellulose contentsuch as carpets and drywalland excess moisture. Fortunately, you can tell that black mold is growing in your building in a few ways. We identify some of the signs your home has toxic black mold.
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Can Mold Trigger Illness
Mold and mildews are generally not a trouble inside or unless mold spores land on a wet or damp area as well as start expanding with touching or breathing in mold or mold spores could induce sensitive responses in delicate people of mold and mildews could likewise create bronchial asthma assaults in individuals with bronchial asthma that are sensitive to mold How Do You Know If You Have Black Mold.
Mold and mildews slowly damage the many things they expand on. You could avoid harm to your home as well as home furnishings and conserve cash that as well as stay clear of possible illness by regulating wetness as well as removing mold development how do you know if you have black mold poisoning.
For even more in-depth details get in touch with a health expert. You could additionally desire to consult your state or neighborhood health division.
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What Happens If You Eat Food With Mold
The thought of eating something moldy likely makes you want to gag. Most of the time, this is the only symptom youd get after eating moldy food. If somethings not right with your immune system and you eat something moldy, you might experience symptoms like:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- If you had an allergy to mold, then you might have symptoms connected with it as well
If you notice mold on your food that you dont want to throw away, then USDAs guide on handling moldy food will be for you.
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Find The Moisture Source
Black mold removal is important. But first, one must identify that it is black mold. First, look at the color, followed by the smell. Black mold is black or even dark grey in color, and often smells wet and musty, as it usually grows in areas with a lot of moisture. Black mold is also usually noticeable in the home if you experience a burning or scratching sensation in your throat or lungs. Black mold is dangerous, and can greatly affect your health if left untreated, so its important to remove it as soon as youre aware of it.
Before you can begin any black mold treatment, youll need to perform a black mold test and find the source. Its often the result of excess moisture in a particular area. Youre most likely to find black mold in areas of your home that you dont visit as often like the basement, but it can pop up anywhere. Here are a few common moisture sources to look for:
- Faucets and fixtures. Sink, shower and bathtub faucets and fixtures that are leaking can lead to the growth of black mold over time.
- Exposed plumbing. Damaged or leaking pipes, especially in warmer temperatures, can often create black mold in areas like basements.
- Water heaters. A small leak can create black mold in your basement or water heater closet.
Your Bathroom Exhaust Fan Is On The Fritz
Mold is a particularly common problem in bathrooms with inadequate ventilation, says Yoel Piotraut, a managing partner at MyHome Design + Remodeling. A bathroom exhaust fan is an essential tool to keep toxic mold at baybut it wont work if its clogged or not running well. In fact, if its still steamy five to ten minutes after you get out of the shower, your fan isnt circulating enough air. It may need to be cleaned or replaced with a unit that meets the square footage of your bathroom. Piotraut also suggests cleaning the walls regularly with a bleach solution or other mold-killing product. These are the household items you use that could be poisoning your air.
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Why Is Black Mold So Dangerous
Black mold is commonly referred to as toxic mold, and for good reason. Aside from causing all kinds of respiratory reactions like coughing, sneezing, sore and itchy throats, and watery and itchy eyes, prolonged exposure can have serious health consequences.Black mold is toxic, and prolonged exposure can have serious health consequences.
One study found that exposure to mold during infancy led to asthma at 7 years of age, while others have linked exposure to brain inflammation, behavioral dysfunction, movement disorders, and neurological deterioration.
In short, black mold warrants its reputation as a toxin, and should be treated as soon as its discovered. Below are several signs it may be inhabiting your home.
Treating Black Mold Poisoning
If you suspect youre suffering from symptoms associated with black mold exposure or poisoning, there are some things you can do to improve your health.
In conclusion, the best way to avoid the negative effects of black mold poisoning is to minimize your black mold exposure.
You can do this by preventing its growth in the first place. If its too late to prevent it and you suspect theres black mold already in your home, dont wait to book removal, completed quickly and efficiently by the industry experts.
Black mold, typically green or black, in your home, can be extremely hazardous to your health.
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Signs Of Mold Or Mildew In Your Shower
Most homeowners will never catch a glimpse of the wall behind the bathtub or shower. This makes the bathroom a bit of a mystery. How can you be sure that mold or mildew is not growing behind the scenes?
You might notice a black spot here and there and wonder if perhaps mold is to blame. These are some signs of mold you should pay close attention to if you want to avoid major health issues.
To Test Or Not To Test
Stachybotrys is usually greenish-black and somewhat slimy or wet, but may also appear grayish with a sooty, powdery texture. Additionally, other molds may look similar. That’s why it is impossible to tell if any given mold is black mold by looks, smell or even location. The only way to determine a mold species is examination under a microscope. Testing is costly, advises the CDC, and isn’t really necessary. Any mold can cause health problems, as they point out. Therefore, you should arrange to have any mold in your home removed, no matter what type it is.
References
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Musty Odors And Strange Smells
Molds have very distinctive smells that you may notice in one or more rooms. Black mold has a musty odor that gets worse over time. Other types of mold smell similar to sweaty clothes, decaying wood, soil, or urine. The aroma may be persistent, or you may only notice it when the HVAC system is running. The smell may even be strong enough to burn your nostrils or throat.
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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Black Mold: What Is It
Stachybotrys chartarum, commonly known as black mold, is a mold thats often black in color and can grow in homes in humid or damp areas. The mold feeds on organic materials in common household materials like drywall, carpet, insulation or sub-flooring that have been exposed to moisture, as HGTV describes.
As the mold proliferates, it can release toxic substances. It is these that cause health problems. The CDC explains it this way: The term toxic mold is not accurate. While certain molds are toxigenic, meaning they can produce toxins , the molds themselves are not toxic, or poisonous.
However, though the release of mycotoxins does not always occur, the possibility that it can is reason enough to take care of any mold problem right away.
How To Get Rid Of Mold
There are plenty of DIY mold removal options for you on the web some more effective than others. These may suffice if the problem is minor. After DIY treatment, it may be good to have an air quality test taken to determine the effectiveness of your work.
If the problem is more than minor, DIY methods will likely only remove the appearance of mold for a short time. If the problem is more serious, the best approach is to hire a certified and reputable local mold remediation company.
Most mold remediation companies will recommend demolition of the infected part of your home to get rid of mold, so keep in mind that you might have additional expenses to restore a portion of your house. Besides that, the process might take several days.
If you are looking into demolition-free mold removal, then look into the companies that use a dry fog technique. When properly done, this method not only kills mold without demolition to your home, but it also takes less than a day to complete.
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How To Get Rid Of Black Mold
Depending on the severity of your black mold infestation, you can either clean it yourself or hire a professional. Hiring a professional is more expensive, but it prevents you from being exposed to the mold while trying to remove it. Youll probably want to hire a professional cleaner if you have wide-spread growth in multiple rooms.
If you choose to remove the black mold yourself, be sure to take the proper safety precautions. You want to avoid letting mold spores touch your skin or breathing them in by wearing:
- Latex gloves
- Protective mark, preferably a dust mask
- Long sleeves and pants, or a full-body jumpsuit like a painters suit
Once youre dressed to tackle black mold, follow these steps to remove small infestations:
Signs Of Black Mold And How To Get Rid Of It
Do you know if theres mold in your home? Mold grows in areas that are dark and damp, like bathrooms or around heating and cooling units that produce condensation.
The thought of any type of mold growing in your home might have you reaching for the nearest scrub brush and cleaning agent. Before you start scrubbing, be sure to evaluate what type of mold youre facing. While you dont want any mold in your house, black mold may pose more health risks than other types.
Learn more about black mold so you can identify it and prevent it from contaminating your home.
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How Does Black Mold Get Inside A House
Mold spores can find their way inside by hitchhiking on clothes, pet fur, and air currents straight into your home. But spores can not usually survive without plenty of water. This is why you will often find black mold around water-damaged areas. For example floods or leaky pipes.
Materials like drywall, carpet, or gypsum board can soak up water, creating a perfect home for a black mold colony. And you really want to prevent this if you can. If you find water damage at home, its key to remove all the affected materials to prevent mold from growing.
Do I Need Professional Testing
In short, usually not! Because, remember the saying: no mold, no matter what color, belongs in a healthy home. And that is good news because a professional mold inspection with testing can run anywhere from $300-$750. In most cases where mold is clearly visible, knowing exactly what type of mold you have is unnecessary. We advise most of our clients to forgo the inspection process and just apply that money saved to the cost of fixing the problem. The EPA agrees that mold testing isnt necessary in most cases.
There are exceptions, however, such as when a mold inspection with testing is required as part of a real estate sale or if you require proof that a mold problem is present, such as for a legal dispute. If you think you may have a mold problem, but arent sure, then we recommend formal testing from a professional. And if you require clearance testing to verify an all clear after a mold problem is fixed, then professional mold testing is necessary.
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