If the first thing you notice when you enter your home is a musty smell, then you may have black mold. This is usually the case, especially when your house has a lot of moisture or dampness. In this article, we explain how black mold looks and how to identify it in your home.
What Does Black Mold Look Like
Black mold is a type of toxic fungus that looks black or dark green. Scientifically, this type of mold is referred to by the term Stachybotrys chartarum (S. chartarum). One of the main features of black mold is that it grows and spreads on materials that contain a lot of cellulose. This may include wood products, paper products, and drywall.
To thrive, black mold needs a combination of moisture and warm temperatures. In most cases, this type of mold appears in water-damaged or damp areas of your home, such as showers, basements, and windows.
What Are the Symptoms of Black Mold
Black mold may cause your immune system to react, causing several signs. Some of the early-stage black mold symptoms include coughing, sneezing, congestion, and eye irritation. Although it rarely causes serious illness or death, these symptoms may worsen over time. Extended exposure to black mold also worsens asthma symptoms. Other common symptoms of black mold exposure include red eyes, postnasal drip, shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness.
Signs Of Black Mold In House
Given the toxic nature of black mold, it helps to know what to look for in your house. If you suspect your home has black mold, you need to check for the following mold signs:
- Musty smell: You may notice an earthy, damp, and musty odor in your home.
- Allergy-like symptoms: You may experience allergies flaring up among your home occupants, such as sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, and a runny nose.
- Possible toxic exposure: For extended exposure, black mold may result in more serious symptoms such as headaches, difficulty concentrating, and memory issues.
- Visual signs: Possible visual signs include black spots or discoloration on the walls and actual mold growth in damp areas
How To Test For Black Mold
To test for black mold in your home, you can either do it yourself or call in a professional. A simple DIY bleach test can help determine if a suspicious spot has mold. When it comes into contact with diluted bleach, mold will usually lighten or change color immediately. However, the only sure way to test whether your home has black mold is to call in professionals. They will use their expertise and specialized tools to determine the presence and extent of mold in your property.
How To Know If You Have Black Mold
Black mold is the easiest mold type to identify in your home. Although not all black mold is toxic, identification is the first step to securing your home and health. The first thing you will most likely notice is the musty smell. If your home smells like a wet towel left in a gym bag or an old basement, then it may have black mold growing. That musty, earthy odor indicates that mold is already active somewhere in the house. You can then go ahead to look for visible signs such as small black spots or specks on the wall or around windows. You may notice discoloration in drywall near baseboards or significant growth around consistently damp areas.
Get Rid of Black Mold from Your House
If you have identified black mold in your house, the next best step is to get rid of it. This will not only help in protecting your home but also ensure the safety of its occupants. Contact our team at The Mold Inspection Canary today. We will inspect your home and take all the necessary measures to remediate the mold in your home.
