What Is Black Mold & What to Do About It

Where there is moisture in the house, there is mold. Mold is a type of fungus that grows on walls, furniture, and other porous household items that can retain moisture. It appears in patches around areas with high moisture, and it can quickly spread all over the house if not controlled promptly.

One of the worst kinds of mold infestation that can become a living nightmare for you is black mold. Black mold is  and has the tendency to not only ruin your walls, furniture, and personal belongings. When airborne, it can also cause a lot of health issues.

Let’s take a deeper look at this toxic mold and what you can do about it.

Where is Black Mold Found?

Black mold is most likely to occur in specific areas of your home with high moisture levels and a slightly warmer temperature. This includes spaces like a basement, attic, bathrooms, storage rooms, garage, etc.

Additionally, if there is any spot in your house with water damage or water leakage that goes unnoticed for a while, black mold is most likely to grow. Black mold is most commonly found on walls, floors, ceilings, and wooden furniture.

How to Identify Black Mold?

The toxic black mold can be easily identified by its dark black color. Typically, molds are green-ish in color and appear in blotches around the surface. Black mold is often found in the shape of large spots that are a little furry around the edges. As it continues to grow, black mold becomes slimy and clammy in appearance.

To identify and confirm black mold, you can take a piece of tissue paper to check the texture of the mold. Make sure you wear gloves, a surgical mask, and safety goggles before getting in contact with black mold.

You can also call in a professional mold removal company for the identification of black mold. These companies perform several tests and take air samples from the suspected area to identify black mold accurately. Once the presence of black mold is confirmed, the mold removal companies will start working on the removal plan.

Can Black Mold Affect Your Health?

Yes. Owing to its toxic nature, black mold can adversely affect your health and cause a number of health issues. The most common health hazard concerned with black mold is allergic reactions and breathing issues.

Other health problems caused by black mold infestation are given below:

• Headaches
• Migraines
• Chronic fatigue
• Fever
• Irritation (eyes, nose, throat)
• Sore throat
• Insomnia
• Mucous membrane irritation
• Sneezing
• Chronic coughing
• Nausea
• Vomiting

If you experience prolonged exposure to black mold, your symptoms are most likely to get worse. In extreme cases, some people are also at the risk of getting lung infections due to severe black mold exposure.

How to Prevent and Get Rid of Black Mold

It is imperative to prevent black mold as early as possible to stop it from spreading into the house. Controlling black mold at the earliest possible stage also reduces health risks.

It is recommended you call in professional black mold removal companies to effectively remove and prevent black mold from further spread and infestation. However, this method can also be costly and might not be affordable for everyone. But do not worry. You can also clean and remove black mold yourself by taking some precautionary steps.

Before you begin the mold removal procedure, make sure you have all the necessary items ready to clean and remove black mold from your home. Here is a list of things you will need:

• Gloves
• Facemask
• Safety Goggles
• Cleaning Agents
• Plastic Sheet
• Duct Tape
• Garbage can
• Flashlight
• Brush
• Wipes

The first step is to inspect the problem area with black mold infestation and look for the source of moisture or water leakage. After you have successfully sealed the source of moisture, you now have to seal the room affected by black mold. This step ensures the infected air does not escape the room and prevent the further spread of the mold. Use plastic sheets and duct tape to seal all openings like doorway gaps, windows, etc., so you can air-tight the room.

The next step is the cleaning and removing the mold. Make sure you have your safety gear on before you get in direct contact with the mold. You will use commercial mold cleaning products to clean black mold off the surface and use a brush or sponges to scrape it off. You can also use mild bleach to remove it if you are not worried about ruining the color of the wall or affected area. Once all the cleaning is done, carefully dispose of everything in a garbage can and seal it tight.

Call in Professionals to Remove Black Mold for Good

If the black mold infestation at your home gets worse, it is best to call in a professional mold removal company like 911 Restoration of Fayetteville. 911 Restoration of Fayetteville is known for prosviding excellent mold removal and professional cleaning services that not only will effectively remove black mold from your home but also prevent its future occurrence.

911 Restoration of Fayetteville offers a 45-minute or less response time, and their customer care helpline is available 24/7 to help answer all your queries and schedule your bookings.