Black mold is often a cause for panic in many households because homeowners believe that black mold can be dangerous for their family. And while this is true for some strains of mold, it is important to remember that not all black mold is toxic or dangerous to humans. Thousands of different strains of black mold exist around the globe, with at least a thousand of them present in the US.
Mold behind kitchen cabinets.
And while some of these types of black mold can be dangerous, others are completely harmless to your family, your kids, and your pets. The only way to know if the black mold found in your home is dangerous is to identify it. In some cases, when you can smell but not see the mold it might be best to consult with mold removal experts.
What Does Black Mold Look Like
As the name implies, the mold is usually black in color but can vary from green to gray in some instances, depending on the type of mold. But it’s other details like the texture which can help you identify exactly what you’re dealing with. That said, mold can either be flat, bumpy, slimy, scaly or hairy.
Black mold is a strain of mold that can cause issues to both humans and pets if they inhale the mycotoxins that the black mold produces. Black mold requires moisture to grow, so you are likely to find it in damp rooms like the attic or the basement, as well as around leaky pipes, the air conditioner unit or areas that have suffered water damage.
Black mold is often black, dark green and gray in color, and its texture is slimy. This can help you distinguish it from other types of mold. Due to its affinity for moisture, the mold is less likely to contaminate the air and will likely follow the moisture to grow.
What Does Black Mold Smell Like?
Black mold has a distinctive, musty stench. The smell of mold usually mixes with the smell of moisture, due to the fact that it uses moisture to grow. You can often smell the mold if it’s nested in your HVAC ducts whenever you run your air conditioner. Even though it’s smell is not pleasant, it can help you locate and eliminate the issue.
What Are the Symptoms of Black Mold?
If you inhale or ingest the mycotoxins emitted by a toxic strain of black mold, you could experience one or more symptoms, depending on how long you were exposed to the mold. The symptoms also depend on the type of mold you inhaled. If not handled properly, black mold can have a fatal result due to prolonged exposure.
Children, seniors and people with respiratory issues are more at risk and could experience more severe symptoms, which include:
- Difficulty breathing and respiratory issues
- Coughing and sneezing (possibly followed by blood)
- Reduced concentration
- Fatigue and frequent headaches
- Nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting
- Weakened Immune system
- Red, itchy eyes, nose and mouth
- Kidney and bladder discomfort
Where Can You Find Black Mold
Like we previously mentioned, mold thrives in damp areas as it needs moisture to survive. As far as materials go, mold can grow on the carpet, ceiling tiles, wood panels and dry-wall. If any of those surfaces remain wet for a prolonged period, the moisture will seize the chance to grow. Sometimes, the mold will hide behind the wallpaper, in which case removing the wallpaper can be very dangerous as it would release the spores into the air. In cases where mold is not visible, the job is best left to professionals.