Finding toxic black mold in your home is no picnic.
It sounds horrible: Like a computer-generated monster in a summer tentpole movie, it crawls across the landscape, engulfing a screaming populace until a plucky scientist finds a solution. On a small scale, that's actually what it looks like, too: A slimy, greenish-black mass that lives in the darkest, wettest corners of your home. To science, black mold known as Stachybotrys atra, and it can deal substantial damage to your home and health.
But don't get too scared. Black mold can't grow opposable thumbs and attack you in your sleep or use up all your cell phone minutes. But it can get into your lungs, sinuses and digestive system. Because mold releases spores to reproduce, the air in a black mold-infested building gets choked with those spores, which are harmful if inhaled or swallowed.
Here are seven things to look for if you suspect you have a black mold problem.
A flooded or leaking basement. Imagine this: A big storm hits, overwhelming your basement sump pump. The pump breaks and your basement floods. You sigh, drain the basement, and get a new pump. But the flood created prime conditions for black mold. Even if you think you pumped out all the floodwaters, if any wood or concrete soaked up a lot of water, that might be enough to allow black mold to thrive. Check your basement regularly for leaks as well -- sometimes, a trickle or a little condensation is all it takes.
Musty or mildewy odors. Black mold has a very specific smell. You might associate it with a house that hasn't been lived in for a long time. If you smell it, look around in damp, humid places with little ventilation.
Trees in the rain gutters. When rain gutters have tiny trees growing out of them -- or any plants at all -- they're almost certainly blocked. If that's the case, water can seep through the ceiling and walls, dampen your home's insulation, and create a breeding ground for black mold.
Allergic reactions, despite a seeming lack of allergens. Most of us know what we're allergic to, and we know whether it's in our environment or not. If you're sneezing and wheezing and there's not a cat to be found anywhere, you might be experiencing the effects of black mold. This is doubly likely if the other people in your home have similar symptoms.
Warped floors. Sometimes water collects in the gaps between poorly sealed floor slats. And if your floors become warped this way, it's a good bet you have black mold as well. You'll need to replace the floorboards, so it might be a good opportunity to hire a mold removal company.
Peeling paint or discolored walls.Yellow stains on your walls or ceiling is a good sign of excess moisture. And excess moisture is a good sign of black mold. Look for black or green discolorations on the walls. If you can actually see it growing, the health risk is pretty strong.
Unexplained headaches. Headaches are one of the most common symptoms of black mold poisoning. And if you have frequent headaches you can't explain, feel dizzy, or have trouble concentrating, call a doctor. After that, call a black mold remediation specialist, who can test for mold in your home. You may have Sick Building Syndrome, a collection of ailments stemming from mold exposure.
Coughing up blood. The most advanced symptom of black mold poisoning, this is a good reason to get yourself to a hospital immediately. There are any number of reasons you may cough up blood, but if your doctor tells you you've been inhaling the compounds that result from a black mold infestation, it's a good bet your home or workplace is affected.
Michael Kirby writes about home improvement projects (like mold removal and remediation, basement waterproofing, and DIY deck construction) and a wide variety of other topics. He writes for dozens of clients, including Right Way Waterproofing, whom you should call if you think you're experiencing a mold infestation.
Visit Right Way at http://rightwaywaterproofing.com/
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