How To Know If You Have Black Mold

10/23/2024 (Permalink)

Black mold is generally easy to detect because of its appearance. But sometimes, it can become difficult. Some reasons for this include a lack of awareness or hidden areas.

Whatever your reasons, you don't have to stay in the dark any longer. We have written this article to help you understand how to detect black mold in your home, what to do when you detect mold and much more. 

Reasons You Might Have Black Mold

Black mold, also known as Stachbotrys Chartarum, is a harmful fungus that grows in greenish-black matter. It thrives in a wet environment, which is why it can be found in areas with high humidity. The primary reason you can have black mold is the presence of moisture. Moisture accumulates through different sources. 

Here are some of them:

• Water Damage: If you experience any kind of water damage, such as floods, leaks, or condensation, mold can appear if the water is not evacuated within 24- 48 hours.
• High Humidity: Humid air is thick with moisture. Therefore, when the humidity level exceeds 50%, mold growth is likely. 
• Poor Ventilation: As simple as this may sound, trapping air and moisture with no dry air can eventually cause mold growth.
• Leaks are probably the easiest to detect and fix. Wherever water drops, mold appears quickly.
• Condensation: Windows, pipes and other materials can retain moisture and eventually mold on them.

Early Signs To Watch Out For

Detecting mold early enough helps to save resources in the long term. Here are the things to look out for:

In And Out Of Your House

• Black Patches: This should be the most noticeable sign you will get. The color may not be completely black, but if it falls within the slimy category, it is most likely the fungus.
• Stains From Water: Mold has a peculiar musty odor that cannot be easily missed, especially if it is concentrated in one area.
• Water Stains: This will often point you in the right direction. Locate the source of the water stains, and you will most likely see the mold.

Found Mold? Here's what to do

Before you go rushing in, scrape out and evacuate the mold yourself. Here are a few things that will help

1. Avoid direct contact with the mold's surface. If you must touch it, wear protective gear to keep you out of harm's way.
2. Carry out a thorough inspection of other hidden areas around your house and environment to determine how far it has spread.
3. Cover the area with 6 mil plastic sheets or install barriers made from polyester. This will help check the spread. 
4. You can also create negative air pressure using a HEPA filter vacuum or a negative air machine. This will not only restrict the spread of mold but also check the spread of spores in the air.

Call SERVPRO of Newport & Bristol Counties for Black Mold Removal

When you discover mold, it's vital to contact the professionals immediately, and that's where we come in. At SERVPRO of Newport & Bristol Counties, our team of experts provides the best treatment for mold removal. When you choose us, you can skip options one to four and simply contact us. We will check for the source of the mold and fix it completely. You don't need to wait for it to get worse; just choose SERVPRO for mold removal.