Mold can grow anywhere as long as there is moisture, poor ventilation, oxygen, and food. Although it grows in colder temperatures, its spores wait for the right conditions to spread again. There are different classifications of mold found in both residential and commercial properties. While some of them do not cause much harm, there are three mold classifications you should avoid — allergenic, pathogenic, and toxigenic.
Allergenic molds, as the name implies, are the ones that cause allergies and allergic reactions, including asthma attacks. Pathogenic molds cause infections and other health problems in people with good health conditions and those suffering from acute illnesses. Toxigenic molds or toxic molds produce toxic substances that cause hazardous and severe health conditions.
One type of mold found in residential and commercial properties is black mold, which falls under the toxigenic classification. If you haven’t seen or heard about black molds yet, here are some essential things to know.
What Is Black Mold?
Stachybotrys, commonly known as black mold, is a type of mold that grows in damp areas with high levels of humidity. What does black mold look like? Black mold has a slimy texture, and its color is usually dark green or black. Additionally, it grows on cellulose materials, including cardboard, paper, wood, and hay. Often, it thrives and spreads in showers, bathtubs, basements, toilets, and kitchens.
Is Black Mold Dangerous?
Black mold produces mycotoxins — a toxic substance produced by fungi. When people get exposed to mycotoxins, serious health problems can occur. The common symptoms of black mold exposure are fatigue, coughing, sneezing, nasal congestion, dry and scaly skin, and itchiness in the eyes, nose, and throat. Other symptoms include pain in the mucous membrane, burning sensation in the airways, difficulty breathing, fever, and nosebleeds.
Additionally, black mold is linked to some neurological issues as well as pulmonary hemorrhage in infants. If you live with kids and infants, transfer them to a safe place until the experts perform a black mold removal process.
Tips to Prevent the Growth of Black Mold
The best way to get rid of black molds is to call a mold removal company to do all the necessary courses of action. Since contact and exposure to it is dangerous, cleaning and removing them without the help of the experts is not advisable. While you can always call for help when it occurs, here are some tips to prevent the growth of mold in your space:
1. Maintain Low Humidity Levels
Since molds thrive in areas with high humidity levels, one of the best preventive measures to practice is to keep humidity in your space as low as possible. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor relative humidity should be kept below 60%. If possible, keep in between 30% and 50%. This level of humidity prevents molds from getting moisture that promotes their growth.
2. Make Sure There Is Sufficient Air Flow
Investing in a high-quality and reliable ventilation system ensures adequate air circulation. Proper ventilation prevents humid air from getting trapped indoors. Additionally, reliable ventilation systems help cut back on moisture and dry wet areas of your property. It is best to have exhaust fans installed in bathrooms and kitchens. Also, make sure that your clothes washer and dryer drain outside your home.
3. Fix Leaks and Other Sources of Moisture
Another way to prevent mold growth is to make sure that your property is in good condition. If there are leaks in your walls, roofs, ceilings, and plumbing system, have them repaired by professionals right away. Not only does neglect allow mold growth, but it also causes your property to deteriorate over time.
4. Clean up and Dry Out
If you’ve just encountered water damage or flooding, calling a water damage restoration company is necessary. Water damage or flooding can quickly lead to mold, so your property should be cleaned up and dried out within 24 to 48 hours or sooner, if possible. Calling a restoration company also deters further damage to your property and belongings.
5. Use Mold Inhibitors
Add mold inhibitors to paint to keep mold from growing on painted surfaces, especially during the construction process of the property. Mold inhibitors are additives that minimize the risks of mycotoxin-producing mold proliferation. If you are planning to renovate your property, you can also use such products.
6. Use Mold-Killing Products When Cleaning
You can also use mold-killing products when cleaning bathrooms, kitchens, and other damp areas of your property. Many cleaning products help kill molds and spores that you don’t readily see. There are different products on the market, and hydrogen-based mold killers are among the most effective ones. White vinegar, due to its acid content, makes a good cleaner, deodorant, and disinfectant. It also kills 82% of mold species, including black molds. You can also use other home remedies, such as lemons, baking soda, and essential oils.
7. Remove Wet Carpets and Furniture
Bring wet carpets, furniture, and other belongings that take too long to dry outside your property. Additionally, prevent using carpets and cloth rugs in bathrooms and other damp areas of your property.
How Deep Water Emergency Services & Restoration Can Help
Since black molds pose severe dangers to health, removing them as soon as possible should be a priority. If you’ve noticed some signs of mold growth in your property, call us right away!
Deep Water Emergency Services & Restoration provides mold mitigation and water damage restoration in Dallas, TX. Our highly-trained team of restoration experts is available 24/7, so feel free to reach out to us anytime you need help. For any inquiries, contact us today!
