What Is Black Mold?

Walking into a moldy, mildewy basement can not only assault your sense of smell, but also put you at risk for allergies and serious illness. If your basement has a musty odor, and you have recently come down with headaches, migraines, or allergy symptoms, you may be suffering from a serious reaction to black mold. Black mold is one of the most toxic types of basement mold. Luckily, it is easy to spot and easy to reverse the damages it causes.

Identifying Black Mold

Black mold manifests as semi-fuzzy black streaks and dots that may look greasy. Colonies of black mold grow in circles, and colonies may be clustered in stripes or blocks. Black mold cannot grow just anywhere; it thrives on moisture and organic substrates, such as wood or paint. If you have a moisture leak in your basement, and exposed wood or painted surfaces, you may have the perfect breeding ground for black mold. Check behind wallpaper, underneath carpeting, and inside your vents. Black mold does not always grow out in the open, and if you suspect you have a basement mold problem, you should investigate the basement thoroughly. Always be sure to protect yourself from breathing in spores and mildew odors when checking your basement for a mold infestation.

Why Black Mold Is Dangerous

Black mold belongs to the fungal genus Stachybotrys, whose members include molds that produce dangerous mycotoxins. Exposure to black mold means that you may be inhaling small amounts of deadly poison.

Identifying Mold Sickness

The typical symptoms of mold sickness are headaches and migraines, fatigue, itching eyes and skin, breathing problems, cold and flu symptoms, and moderate fever. If you know for sure that you are being exposed to mold, and you have some of these symptoms, talk to your doctor. Mold illness can become progressively worse if left untreated, or if your exposure to black mold persists.

How to Get Rid of Black Mold

Undertake a thorough, top-to-bottom cleaning of your basement if you have a mild mold problem. This means ventilating the area, removing carpet and replaceable wood fixtures, and washing surfaces with an antifungal compound. If you have a more serious mold problem, for example, you are renovating an abandoned house, you should hire a mold remediation contractor. A serious mold problem presents a biohazard, and only trained professionals should clean and contain the area.