Discovered black mold in your home? Wondering What Happens If you live in a house with Black Mold?
In this guide you will learn the dangers of black mold in your home as well as how to tell if it’s safe to continue living there.
- Black mold is found in areas with high moisture such as basements and crawl spaces
- Leaking pipes, holes in ceilings, cracks in walls, infestation of water or other causes can lead to mold buildup
- Most of the time, mold can be removed without any long-term effects to your home. Treatment should be done right away
Can I Stay In My House With Black Mold?
While black mold is a problem and needs abatement, you can usually live in a home with small amounts of black mold as long as you plan to remediate it.
Minimal exposure likely won’t cause problems.
Where you should be careful is if mold is present throughout the house – walls, window borders, pipes, siding. This causes greater exposure and increased risk of damage to your health and home.
Signs to look for include black spots, damp smells and leaks. It is also a good idea to check areas prone to moisture.
The CDC notes that if you start coughing, wheezing have itchy eyes or skin, that can be a sign mold is ever-present (more about health risks later).
Not only can Black mold cause severe damage to your house , black mold can cause health problems too. This is why it’s important to find the mold and have it removed as soon as possible.
If it’s in a limited area, you can try to remove it yourself. However it is always best to contact a professional company that specializes in this type of work.
That way, black mold can be tested for, treated and removed without any lingering effects.
Keep in mind it is a very dangerous substance and not something to ignore.
Dangers Of Severe Black Mold Infestations
There are several reasons why black mold can be dangerous. In addition to causing severe health issues, it also can ruin the foundation or structure of your house.
Health Concerns
It is widely known that people with allergies can be more susceptible to further problems resulting from black mold.
Symptoms include:
- Eye/skin/throat or lung irritation
- Rashes
- Asthma attacks
- Coughing
- Wheezing
Remember black mold is always around. It grows where there is moisture and exists on all types of materials.
The goal is to mitigate the risk by having it removed and taking preventive actions.
Severe Property Damage
Besides health risks, mold can damage your home. It can destroy ceilings, drywall, carpet, floorboards, wood and foundation walls.
The longer it goes untreated the more likely issues are to occur. The prevalence of black mold could result in severe damage such as ceilings or walls collapsing.
If mold is found in your bedroom, you want to remove it right away. Have it tested ASAP and contact a professional who can advise on whether it’s safe to continue sleeping there.
Over time, it could lead to the health issues described above or major damage to the room which could require significant repairs.
Additionally, mold can grow in your HVAC system. Should you run the unit, it can get into the air and spread quickly.
To avoid this:
- Have your HVAC system checked and tested annually
- Clean your ducts once a year
- If mold is found, don’t turn the unit on. Contact a professional company to remove the mold and clean the ducts. This can be tricky which is why you want a licensed pro to handle
Warning Signs That Black Mold In Your House Is Affecting Your Health
Should you experience any breathing issues, coughing, irritation or blurred vision, mold could be the cause.
Seek immediate help from your doctor or a medical professional who can properly diagnose you.
Other potential symptoms include:
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Dry skin
- Red eyes
An early warning sign of black mold is a musty, damp smell. If you smell this in your home, look to see if you spot any.
Early detection can help not only your health but also the structure of your home.
Mold also releases harmful bacteria that can cause health problems. If left undetected or untreated, one can develop headaches, fatigue, fever, shortness of breath or bronchitis.
Black Mold Infestation?
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Sleeping In House With Black Mold
In general there’s no need to leave or be overly concerned about sleeping in your home should you have black mold. Make sure you have a plan to remove it though.
You don’t want it to linger and if it does, it can spread throughout the house, making it dangerous for everyone. You also risk damaging the home.
Keep in mind that black mold is usually found in basements and damp areas, far away from where people sleep.
Yet bedrooms aren’t immune to the substance and you should make note of damp floors, water on the ceiling, wet walls or any leaks. This can cause mold to develop.
A study by the National Library of Medicine found that increased dampness, mold and the smell of mold caused more sleep-related issues, including insomnia.
Should you experience any of the symptoms mentioned earlier, that could be from mold. Get yourself checked out and the mold removed.
What Should I Do If My Home Has Black Mold?
Black Mold is never good. You want to remove it as soon as possible.
There are various ways to do that based on how much black mold you have and where it’s located.
Steps To Take if You Find Black Mold:
- Identify where it is and the extent of it, In case of a small amounts of black mold you can tackle it yourself.
- Note if it is spreading, in multiple places or confined to one area
- Check to see if these areas are wet, humid or exposed to moisture
- Conduct a thorough check throughout your home to see if mold is there
- Use water/bleach mixture – 1 gallon of water for every cup of bleach – with a rag to wipe away the mold. Do not mix with other chemicals such as ammonia. This can release toxic fumes into the air
- Wear protective gear – goggles, gloves and a mask to reduce your exposure
In case of a severe Black mold Infestation:
- Contact a mold abatement company
- Let the pros handle it. They are licensed, experienced and most offer a free estimate.
Preventing Black Mold In Your Home
Given the dangers that result from black mold, it’s a good idea to reduce the chances of it appearing.
There are a number of measures you can take:
- Run a dehumidifier in moisture-prone or humid areas including basement, crawl space and attic
- Insulate your home, especially the basement
- Keep humidity levels at 50% or lower
- Remove any flooring, drywall or carpet that is wet
- Remove and repair rotting wood
- Check and repair holes in the roof, holes in the ceiling and cracks in walls both on the inside and outside of your house
- Use products designed to kill mold when cleaning
- Make sure no pipes or ceilings are leaking water. If they are, repair immediately.
How Much Does Severe Black Mold Infestation Remediation Cost?
Prices can vary based on how much mold is in the house and where it’s located.
On the low-end, you’re probably going to spend at least $1,000 for testing and removal. Here is a general breakdown.
Basement/crawl space: $1,000-$4,000
Attic/Walls/Ceiling: $1,500-5,000
Most of house/structure/foundation: $7,000-$25,000
When to Call a Professional?
When it comes to mold, it’s always smart to use a professional. They can test, consult, advise on a proper plan and remove the substance in the proper, efficient way.
This is their work, they know it well and are extremely experienced in handling different types of mold remediation.
If you choose to try to remove it yourself and you notice it reappears, still find wet areas, or smell dampness, definitely call a professional.
Remember, mold should be taken seriously, handled right away and is not something you want to exist for long periods of time.
It can cause serious damage to individuals living in your household as well as to the affected areas.
We have Black Mold Remediation Specialists that can Get Rid of the Black mold Effectively & Prevent it from Returning.
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