Toxic Black mold spores can be inhaled, ingested in our food or absorbed through the skin. And as is always the case one individual may be more prone to being affected than another. Children and the elderly are more susceptible to serious illness after exposure to contamination.

Lots of species of black mold or mildew can aggravate a number of ailments.  Common signs of the effects of black mold include asthma, bronchitis, respiratory problems, sinusitis, dry cough as well as skin rash, stomach upsets and headaches. Not just black mold species are toxic but a lot of other species of mold are as well. Many of the toxic molds are known carcinogens. Extreme exposure can lead to internal bleeding and kidney and liver failure. The health risks due to the mold in a home are a serious worry for those living there.

Homes contaminated by mold are becoming widespread. Although we have known for a long time that  mold thrives in damp places it is only recently that we have begun to understand how much mold can affect us. Mold is not choosy and will infect old and new buildings alike. 

The smell or sight of mold can signal a range of problems. The moisture that causes the mold to thrive can be created by the owner or by leaky items or even both. In a newer home it could be due to defective building practices.

1, High Humidity Area – If you reside in a high humidity are then you should be extra vigilant.  Black mold and other toxic mold are more prone to grow in areas with a relative humidity of 55% or more. You can control the humidity in your home so keep it below 50% if possible to help prevent the growth of black mold and other tocix molds.

2,  Leaking pipes, as we know from our previous article, mold needs moisture to grow. The majority of mold infestations occur from water leaks, more so if they are not repaired quickly. unless you are keeping a constant vigil on pipes a leak can go unnoticed for months without any apparent problems.

3 Increased allergy symptoms, If a number of people in a household or work area are suffering allergic reactions it could well be due to high levels of toxic mold. Ever more worrying would be people suffering with respiratory symptons such as asthma and bronchitis.

4,  Leaking Roof, Like leaking pipes, water leaking in from your roof is hard to notice till you see those tell tales signs. If you suspect you have a roof leak check in the attic for any signs of damage or mold growth. Obviously you need to be aware of the ceilings in your uppermost floor and pay attantion to any signs of water.

5, Damp Basements,  Basements tend to recieve less ventilation than other areas of your home whilst being prone to colder temeratures.  A colder temperature leads to a higher relative humidity and because the air is cold it unable to hold as much water thus leading to condensation.  This then creates a perfect breeding ground for blackmold and other toxic molds. Basements are generally ignored unless we need to find something so mold can grow for long periods of time without being indentified.

What is black mold?  Black mold is usually a greenish black substance which can cause serious health problems. This mold is technically called Strachybotrys Chartarum and also Strachybotrys Atra.

Black mold has been lonk to the death of children from respiratory bleeding and as a major contributing factor to Asthma and Bronchitis. According to America Centre of Disease Control black mold is responsible for over 100 different cases of lung disorder alone.

Most homes have one type of mold or another, and not all types are toxic but it is very difficult to distinguish between the various types of mold out there. So this makes it clear that if you have any type of mold you need to tread and remove it as soon as possible and then take preventative measures to ensure it does not reinfect.

Mold spores are moved around your home easily by attaching themselves to almost anything from yourself your animals, your shoes and all other things. Mold is attracted to damp and moist areas such as underneath your sink/bath/fridge.

Black mold is particularly found on wet wood, tiles, paneling, cotton, plasterboard and insulation. If an area is damp it will infest it. Without moisture black mold cannot grow, so check out those damp wet areas in your house.

Spores from dried mold are dangerous and you should always take the necessary precautions when cleaning it up.

Keep the humidity level down and ensure there is adequate ventilation inside your home. Apply mold inhibitors before painting anywhere that is susceptable to damp.

Everyone should be aware of the issues of black mold and how to prevent and/or remove it, the fact that schools commonly close due to black mold shows you just how much of a problem this can cause.

How to get rid of black mold

Most people automatically assume this is a big expensive job, however it is not and with our tips below your home should be mold free in no time.

You will need the gollowing items

• Rubber Gloves
• 5 gallon bucket
• quarter cup of laundry detergent
• bleach
• sponge

Good luck with keeping your house black mold free.