Have you noticed patches of black spots in your house lately? Be aware, because it might be a type of black mold spores. A black mold is a form of microorganism that is naturally live on a certain medium and takes advantage of it. Now we will speak about identifying black mold.
Naturally, black mold has a duty of rotting and decaying materials like trees, woods, and wet leaves.
However, when you find it around the house, it would do exactly what it does best: rotting your house. In any case, what does black toxic mold look like? In this article, we are going to talk about its appearance, smell, and what are the causes of it.
A. What is Black Mold? Identifying black mold.
Black mold you find in the house would be most likely coming from the genus Stachybotrys chartarum. You would find this type of mold in humid, damp, slightly warm area. It can be not only black, it can be dark green.
Speaking of the cause, mold reproduces by releasing micro-sized spores to the air. These spores would float away and land when it finds the perfect material to grow. In other words, there are always mold spores everywhere especially when you have a backyard or live near the woods. Try to identify toxic black mold. It is black, it has distinct smell like other molds.
The black mold would not grow in a sunlight-exposed area, making it sometimes grow in an unseen spot of your houses such as the basement, ceiling, bathroom, and insulation system. So black mold typically is based in bathroom. Black mold infestation is dangerous- always pay attention on it.It is black or dark green and has musty smell.
B. Why Should You Be Worried?
Black mold is highly toxic to the human body, so you would not want it to hang out in your house any longer. These are some of the most common black mold health risks when it is inhaled or ingested by the human body or pets:
- Lung infection
- Eye irritation
- Skin allergies
- Chronic fatigue
- Headaches
The longer it stays in your house, the higher the risk of having those symptoms. Thus, removing black mold should be the first thing to do after you learn what is black mold. However, it requires some inspection before you can identify it in your house especially when it grows on hidden places.
C. How to Identify Black Mold?
Toxic black mold can be identified by its smell, texture, and patches. Knowing how to identify black mold can lead you to the right treatment and remediation. When you notice black spots on a certain area, these are the things that you need to check:
1. Smell
A mold’s smell can be identified first before you see its appearance. It usually has a pungent and musty smell like it’s coming from a damp place.
When it grows on a certain material like woods and fabrics, the smell resembles a rotting plant. It is best that you check areas like the drywall, wood construction, and under the carpet.
Read also: What does mold smell like?
2. Patches
While smoke ghosting and years of polluted dust may stain some of the house’s area, black mold has a different patch. Commonly, the black mold lives where it is humid, so if there are water stains followed by black spots, it is a form of mold. It is also has a darker color than smoke patches and looks like it has created a thick layer on the surface,
3. Texture
Take a closer look and see the texture. If it is slimy, it can be a sign of active mold. An active mold colony would continue to expand, and it means you need to find a way to exterminate and remove it.
Some black mold patches may look velvety and matte; this means that the mold is ready to release spore and die afterward. It would help if you also were careful because that condition may mean that the mold is preparing to expand to other areas.
Dealing with toxic black mold means that we are handling a living microorganism. When you are inspecting the house, make sure that you keep the window open and use protective gears like mask and hand gloves.
Read also: How to Spot Signs of Mold
D. Finding the Source of Humidity
Once you know what does black mold look like and find its colonies, you might be thinking of removing as soon as possible. Still, removing the visible black mold would not solve the problem unless you fix the source of humidity. Check for these causes of humidity in your house before you decide to eliminate the toxic black mold:
1. Condensation
Condensation happens when the warm air from inside the room meets with cold air from the outside. It creates drops of water that stay in absorbent material of the house.
Therefore, mold often grows well after winter. The areas that are prone to condensation is the ceiling, insulation, and under the carpet or wood plank flooring.
2. Leaking Water Pipe and Plumbing
Not all houses have a problem with leaking water pipe. Old houses are the most reluctant to this cause of humidity. Before you get on to handling the black mold spores, it is better that you fix the leak first.
That way, your mold removal job would not be disrupted with water that keeps flowing from the plumbing system.
3. Room’s Normal Humidity
Sometimes, you don’t realize that the rooms inside your house are too humid. Humid air is the perfect condition of many bacteria and viruses to live. It keeps not only mold but also diseases living in your house. To fix this problem, you might want to consider buying a dehumidifier or an air conditioner.
4. Air Circulation
A healthy house should have well-ventilated areas. In the morning, open all windows to let the fresh air in. Exposure to the sunlight would also be healthier for the house as it kills most of the mold, viruses, and bacteria.
Knowing exactly what does black mold look like would help you in determining how to get rid of it. Some mold problems can be solved by cleaning it with the items around the house like vinegar, tea tree oil, bleach, and hydrogen peroxide.
Though, some heavy mold problems especially those who affect crucial part of the house should be resolved through remediation. If you have cleaned it and the problem persist, it might be time for you to contact a professional mold removal service. Always prevent toxic mold in your home. Mold growing is rather quick process. It can cause allergic reactions and serious health issues. Pay attention on water damage. Black colored mold is always based in bathroom. Always try to prevent mold. If not- the best variant is mold removal services.
What can be mistaken for black mold?
Several types of mold can be mistaken for black mold, including Cladosporium, Alternaria, and Ulocladium. These molds can be dark in color and commonly found in damp areas such as bathrooms and kitchens.
What does toxic black mold look like?
Toxic black mold, or Stachybotrys chartarum, can be greenish-black or dark black in color and has a slimy texture. It typically grows in areas with high moisture and can produce toxins that can cause health problems in humans and animals when inhaled or touched. It often has a distinctive musty odor and can be difficult to identify visually as it can look similar to other types of mold.
Is all mold that looks black toxic?
No, not all mold that appears black is toxic. There are several types of black-colored mold, some of which are harmless, such as Cladosporium and Ulocladium, while others can produce toxins that can cause health problems, such as Stachybotrys chartarum (toxic black mold). It is important to have any suspected black mold professionally tested to determine its species and level of toxicity.
How can you tell the difference between mold and black mold?
Mold can come in many different colors, including black, so color alone is not a reliable indicator of whether it is black mold or not. The only way to confirm the species of mold is to have it professionally tested.
Is black mold cancerous?
There is currently no conclusive evidence that exposure to black mold, specifically Stachybotrys chartarum, causes cancer in humans. However, exposure to toxic mold can cause a range of health problems, including respiratory issues, allergies, and skin irritation. People with weakened immune systems, such as infants, elderly individuals, and those with underlying health conditions, may be more susceptible to the harmful effects of mold.
How long does it take to get sick from black mold exposure?
The time it takes to get sick from black mold exposure can vary depending on factors such as the duration and intensity of the exposure, the age and overall health of the individual, and their sensitivity to mold. In some cases, symptoms can appear immediately, while in others, it may take weeks or even months for symptoms to develop.
