Just saying the words, black mold can send shivers down your spine, but how do you know if it’s growing in your home? What does black mold look like, and how do you get rid of it? Let’s take a deep dive into the damp, dingy world of mold to answer these questions and more.
What is Black Mold?
Black mold looks like a black stain that usually appears in places that are suffering from ongoing water damage. Most often, black mold is spotted in bathrooms, where there is poor ventilation and plenty of moisture for it to thrive. It’s also commonly found in kitchens, basements, and even laundry rooms, where the humidity level is higher than normal.
So, what does black mold look like? As the name suggests, it’s typically black, slimy, and has an unpleasant odor. As it grows, black mold can change in appearance, and the black stain will begin to expand across the wall or floor.
Signs of Black Mold
Knowing how to spot black mold can help you quickly determine the beginning stages of mold on walls so that you can eliminate it quickly. The first signs of black mold may be a persistent cough, a sniffle, or a musty smell.
To locate black mold, look for a black stain that appears to be growing in a circular pattern, with small concentrated circles inside. It can also appear splotchy, slimy, and wet. This is due to the moisture that black mold needs in order to survive. If, on the other hand, the moisture has been removed from the area, black mold will look dry and chalky instead.
Black mold is usually black, but in the beginning, mold on walls can appear in shades of grey or green with white around the edges. As the mold progresses, it will darken in color.
Preventing Mold in Your Home
Black mold can cause serious health problems, especially in children, pregnant women, and people with respiratory conditions. It is extremely important to prevent black mold by eliminating the conditions it needs to grow in your home. It’s not just an eyesore – it can directly impact the health of your family.
Black mold on wood appears in damp places like basements and other places that don’t get enough ventilation. To prevent black mold from rearing its ugly head in your home, the pros at Steamatic of Central Florida suggest taking the following precautions:
- Look for potential places where your walls may have moisture (and eliminate the moisture).
- Take care of leaky pipes.
- Fill in cracks in the foundation (where humidity and moisture can enter your home).
By taking a proactive approach, you can lessen the likelihood of dealing with black mold in your home.
Steamatic of Central Florida Can Help Identify and Remediate Your Mold Issues
Now that you can confidently answer questions like, “What does black mold look like?” and “How do I prevent black mold from growing in my home?” you can rest assured that you’re doing everything right to keep your family safe. If you do find evidence of black mold in your house, don’t try to clean things up yourself. Let the pros take care of mold remediation so you can be sure that you don’t get sick — and that the mold is 100% eliminated from the premises.
If you’re curious about how to test for mold in the house, contact the pros at Steamatic of Central Florida. We’ll offer the best next steps toward making sure your home is mold-free, and we’ll take care of all the dirty work.
Image Source: PiNut Piyanut/ Shutterstock
