Sunday, 11 November 2012

Identifying Black Mold


Nobody can stand the growth of black mold or any kind of mold in their homes. Apart from the mess they can also lead to certain health risks. More so, this fungus that multiplies through spore formation can enter your home attached to clothing, food or even pets.
It grows and spreads at a fast rate if your homes have enough moisture in the air. However, the difficult part is locating this kind of mold in every unreachable corner of the house.
Here is an article that informs you on identifying this unwanted fungus.

Color

Black mold is not necessarily black. One can also spot it in green or brown patches growing in damp, hidden corners of the house. The unattended basement, unclean and stuffy bathrooms, kitchen and pipelines are prime targets for this type of mold.
However it has a tendency to grow on any surface that is moisture laden. It is not a thing of surprise to find black mold on clothes, onions, photo frames and old carpets that have remained moist for a while.
The ones that grow outside your home usually appear to be greenish black in color with a slippery texture. This fungus is mostly found on decomposing plants and fallen barks that are cold and somewhat wet.

Smell

As in the case of most molds, this mold also has a distinguished, moldy smell. If any area of your house smells moldy, you are recommended to look out for water leakage or seepage inside the house. Often homes with a weak foundation have maximum chance of water seepage problem.
The smell gets stronger in case of concentrated amount of black mold accumulation. Old, dilapidated houses and buildings with mold growing all over the walls have this strong and musty odor indoors.

It Spreads in a Particular Pattern

This mold tends to grow and spread in a circular pattern; at times one can spot a cluster of small circular mold formations upon a wall surface. However this fungus may change its pattern and spread elsewhere if it reaches a surface without moisture.

Evident Signs

Flaking paint on the walls of your home can only mean one thing; moisture accumulation due to some kind of water seepage. In such scenarios it will not be long before one will spot the growth of this mold.
Decay or decomposition of wood cannot always be associated with mold growth. However, this fungus could be a valid reason for the menace. Look out for these evident signs to keep mold growth under control.

Watch Out for Black Mold Symptoms

If every once in a while you or anyone in the family is troubled by symptoms like sneezing, cough, eye or skin irritation you ought to check your house for mold growth or water leakage. At times prolonged exposure to this fungus could lead one to experience chronic cough, sinus, congestion, headache, fever and fatigue.

Seek Professional Help

Many a time, professional help becomes necessary to combat extensive growth of black mold. A professional can ascertain if this mold is invading your home by performing mold tests and thorough inspection.
In other cases, you can get rid of the fungus on your own. Clean it with a hard brush using soap or bleach. A mold disinfectant is a good way to combat this fungus.
The long and short of the story is that even a small amount of moisture can encourage mold growth in your home. You are recommended to keep your homes dry and fully ventilated. Any kind of water leakage ought to be fixed as soon as possible. Be cautious and watch out for black mold from invading your health and home.