Is black mould dangerous to your health?
Mold come in all sizes and colours, but the best known is black mould. What exactly is black mould? What are its causes or solutions? And is black mould dangerous to your health? We list it for you.
What is black mould?
Many fungi are dark in colour. But, when we talk about black mould, this refers to one specific species: the Stachybotrys Chartarum. As the name suggests, this fungus has a black or very dark colour and occurs mainly on damp areas in the house. This can be on walls, but also in rooms like the kitchen or bathroom. In fact, black mould thrives best in warm and humid environments and spreads easily there. The ideal temperature for growth is between 17 °C and 25 °C.
In the initial stages, the fungus will take the form of small black dots. If it is not remedied immediately and the room remains damp, the heavy dots will spread to larger spots. Black mould thus becomes increasingly easy to spot.
How dangerous is black mould in the home?
Having heavy mould in your home really only brings negative consequences. Black mould is not only a detriment to your health, it is also harmful to your home.
Black mould: a danger to your health
Black mould is also sometimes called the toxic mould. Once it has nestled on walls, it can pose a lot of health risks. They emit mycotoxins out. It is not fatal, but it can cause a lot of symptoms:
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 immediately. 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 children's room? Then do something about it immediately, because it is anything but healthy. Especially children will quickly experience negative consequences.
Black mould: a danger to your home
Not only is black mould dangerous to your health, but in some cases it can also be a hazard to your home.
Fortunately, this is something you can prevent. Black mould does not affect the structure of your home overnight. If you catch it in time, you can protect your home.
What are the causes of black mould? And their solutions?
Black mould usually develops as a result of moisture problems, such as a damp basement or rising damp. The spores of black mould are often already floating in the air, but pose no danger until they can spread and multiply on and in the walls as a result of moisture. The severity of moisture problems can vary, but mould generally thrives in damp conditions and at temperatures between 17 and 25 degrees Celsius.
Below are some common causes of moisture problems:
1. Inadequate ventilation
Do you find black mould in rooms where it is often damp, such as the plumbing or basement? Then chances are the cause is poor ventilation. If the moisture cannot leave, it settles in the walls. That is the perfect place for black mould to develop.
The solution is - rather logically - a ventilation system which purifies the air and removes 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 this happens every day, those cold surfaces are constantly damp, giving moulds 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? Then you might be suffering from penetrating damp.
Penetrating moisture occurs when rainwater passes through the walls without a cavity, making its way inside.
4. Rising damp
If black mould is present mainly at the bottom of the walls and is slowly migrating upwards, with no water pipes running in that area, it probably indicates rising damp. This is groundwater flowing through poor foundations, faulty dam, or the lack of a water barrier in the walls pulls up. To tackle rising damp effectively and cost-efficiently, it is injecting the walls the most recommended solution.
Beware: These are not uniform causes. Other moisture problems can also be the cause of black mould. Be sure to contact a professional to get the right diagnosis as well as the best solution.
How do I remove black mould?
Remove small dots of black mould yourself
Are there only black spots on the wall, in the kitchen or in the plumbing? That means it has not been present for long and has not yet nestled deep into the wall. You can feel free to work on your own.
The hotter the water, the better the fungus disappears. Always wear protective gloves to avoid skin irritation.
Beware: Never tackle mould dry. Then there is a danger of inhaling the mould spores. Also, always wear a mouth mask and non-porous gloves during treatments to guard your own health.
Get large and stubborn black mould stains professionally removed
For larger or persistent black stains, it is wise to call in a professional. They have specialised products and equipment that are more effective than regular cleaners. Moreover, they address not only the visible mould, but also the underlying cause, preventing new mould growth. Even if the mould disappears with the naked eye, invisible spores can remain and cause problems again. A professional approach therefore offers a long-term and thorough solution.
What if the fungus is extensive?
As mentioned earlier, black mould can be dangerous to your health as well as your home and it is not always a good idea to tackle it yourself. Especially for large and stubborn areas of mould. Also, removing the mould 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 that of your family members are no longer at risk from black mould.
Are you suffering from black mould? Ask now a free moisture expertise to AquaConsult.
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