Mold thrives in dark, damp, humid environments, so follow your nose to cramped spaces in your home if you detect an unusual smell. Look for visible growth: While toxic mold often hides in your walls, crawlspace, or attic, sometimes it is out in the open, too. In these cases, you are likely to see dark rings or spots on the ceiling. While this mold is not necessarily toxic, you will want to have an inspection done right away to make sure.
Toxic mold can also have a grayish, soot-like texture, or a slimy, wet surface. In some cases, you may even notice furry orange or brown spots. To test for mold, follow the instructions on the test kit. The test will take about five days to confirm or deny the presence of mold. If the presence of mold is detected, homeowners can send the test to a lab for analysis.
It can take up to eight weeks to receive the results of the mold type. Once the presence of black mold has been confirmed, clean and remove it.
With a mold-fighting solution such as tea tree oil, sodium borate, vinegar, or bleach, clean the mold using a nylon bristle brush and old rags or paper towels. These tips will teach you how to identify and how to get rid of black mold. When in doubt, always ask for assistance from a professional to ensure your home is mold-free.
Disclosure: BobVila. You agree that BobVila. Just how toxic is black mold? Is getting rid of it expensive? Do I need to sell my home? All of these thoughts are common, and reasonable. However, keep in mind that most cases of black mold, if caught early, are easily fixable. Keep reading to get an understanding of exactly what black mold is, how you can determine if your home is infected, and how you can get rid of it.
Fight inflammation and create easy, healthy meals! What Is Black Mold? Black mold, or Stachybotrys chartarum , is one of the most common indoor molds. Like other molds, it releases spores into the air surrounding it, which can be inhaled by humans or absorbed through your skin, and can also allow it to be transported to other areas of a home.
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. Below are several signs it may be inhabiting your home. Musty Smell Mold has a pungent, earthy, musty, and rather unpleasant smell. Side note : Some people can become accustomed to the smells in their homes even if they are bad.
It appears that many types of indoor mold — not just black mold — may cause health problems in some people, but not in everyone. People who are most at risk of the symptoms of mold exposure are:. The main health concerns seem to relate to allergies and irritation, which typically cause respiratory symptoms. They may also perform tests, including:. To diagnose a systemic fungal infection in someone with a weakened immune system, a doctor may take a blood sample. In some cases, further testing may be necessary.
Treatment for a mold allergy is similar to treatment for other types of inhaled allergies. Options include:. For a long term solution, a doctor may recommend immunotherapy. This involves getting a series of allergy shots over a few years. Immunotherapy can be highly effective, but it is only suitable for certain types of mold allergy. Individuals should treat all molds the same when it comes to removing them from the home.
The most effective way to prevent mold growth is to monitor the humidity level in the home. Also, use proper safety equipment when cleaning up mold in an industrial setting or after a natural disaster. Dehumidifiers are available for purchase online. Based on current research, black mold exposure is no more dangerous than any other type of mold exposure. In high amounts or in people with allergies, exposure to any mold may cause allergy symptoms. In people with underlying health conditions, it may lead to more serious complications.
Regardless of the type of mold, it is important to remove it from the home for hygiene and health reasons. Read this article in Spanish. Signs that a person should see a doctor for a cough include when it occurs alongside dizziness, weight loss, or fever.
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