Mold come in all sizes and colors, but the best known is black mold. What exactly is black mold? What are its causes or solutions? And is black mold dangerous to your health? We list it for you.
What is black mold?
Many fungi are dark in color, but this refers to one specific species: the Stachybotrys Chartarum. This one - as its popular name implies - is black or very dark and is found mainly in damp places in the home. This can be on the walls, but also in the kitchen or bathroom.
How dangerous is black mold in the home?
Black mold: a danger to your health
Black mold is also sometimes called the toxic mold. Once it nestles on walls, it can pose many health risks. They emit mycotoxins. It is not deadly, but it can cause a lot of symptoms:
- Nerve and joint pain
- Respiratory problems
- Irritated eyes
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sore throat
- Allergic reactions
Children, seniors and vulnerable people - with chronic diseases, for example - are especially susceptible to this.
With small black spots in the shower, don't panic right away. Are there already large black spots on the wall? Or does it smell musty? Then you do need to take action.
On the other hand, are there black spots in the nursery? Then do something about it right away, because it is anything but healthy. Especially children are very sensitive to this.
Black mold: a danger to your home
Not only is black mold dangerous to your health, but in some cases it can also be a hazard to your home. Black mold affects various things such as drywall and plaster. But black mold can also affect your home's construction or structure, weakening your home. Also, black mold likes wood and often settles in the wooden structures of your home and once black mold is in wood, it is difficult to get rid of. This often requires replacing all the wood.
Fortunately, this is something you can prevent. Black mold does not affect the structure of your home overnight. If you catch it in time, you can protect your home.
How does black mold occur?
The spores of black mold are often already in the air, but they are not dangerous until they reproduce on and in the walls due to moisture problems. Some moisture problems are already more serious than others. Here are the most common ones:
1. Inadequate ventilation
Do you find black mold in rooms where it is often damp, such as the plumbing or basement? Then chances are the cause is poor ventilation. If the moisture can't get out, it settles in the walls. That's the perfect place for black mold to develop.
The solution - rather logically - is a ventilation system that purifies the air and removes the moisture.
2. Condensation moisture
Do the black spots occur on windows, in room corners, on the outside wall or in other random cold places? If so, it is most likely about condensation moisture.
Condensation occurs when you generate hot air; for example, when you cook or when you take a shower. That warm air settles on the cold surfaces where it condenses.
When that happens every day, those cold surfaces are constantly damp, giving the fungi a chance to reproduce.
Again, the solution is a ventilation system so that the moisture disappears from the air.
3. Penetrating moisture
Are you finding black spots in random places on the walls? Are they found on all floors of the house? If so, you may be suffering from penetrating moisture.
Permeable moisture occurs when rainwater passes through walls without a cavity, making its way into the interior.
Beware: These are not uniform causes. Other moisture problems can also be the cause of black mold. Be sure to contact a professional to get the right diagnosis AND the best solution.
How do I remove black mold?
Are there only black dots on the wall, in the kitchen or in the plumbing? That means it hasn't been there long and hasn't yet nestled deep into the wall. You can feel free to work on your own.
For example, you can scrub the wall with baking soda and water, you can attack the mold with bleach, or it is best to buy a special mold killer from the do-it-yourself store or supermarket.
Beware: Never handle mold dry. Then there is a danger of inhaling the mold spores. Also, always wear a mouth mask and non-porous gloves during treatments to guard your own health.
Why should I call on Aquaconsult?
As mentioned earlier, black mold can be dangerous to your health as well as your home, and it's not always a good idea to tackle it yourself. Especially for the large and stubborn mold spots.
Also, removing mold yourself is not always a definitive solution. A moisture expert tackles the cause. This way, we ensure that the air in your home is clean again and your health and the health of your family members are no longer at risk from black mold.
Are you suffering from black mold? Request a free moisture assessment from aquaconsult now.
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