There are hundreds of species of molds that can grow and thrive in moist environments. Molds come in various colors and breed differently. While some types are not harmful and only cause nuisances to your site, there are others that you need to deal with urgently.
Black molds often grow in households and buildings and cause damage. With this type of mold, you need to apply precise effective measures to remove the colonies properly. Extra steps are necessary to deal with black mold because this type of mold can worsen damages around the structure.
It’s best to deal with black molds immediately. It’s not entirely challenging to miss the symptoms of mold presence as the dark color gives away the presence of mold growth.
Black mold: definition
Despite the allegations of being toxic, there are no harmful mold species, specifically known as the black mold. The term “black mold” is a moniker for a group of molds or species of mold colonies that produce the black or dark green color.
First, molds are species of fungi that grow best in moisture and dark areas. Molds grow as hyphae which are multicellular filaments and result in branching networks called mycelium. The white, fuzzy, thin cotton-like thread is the mycelium. The production of spores often reveals the color of the molds, making black molds more visible. Some examples of species are:
- Aspergillus niger which can grow on soil, plants, nuts, and decaying fruits
- Rhizopus stolonifer, which are common in expired bread products
- Stachybotrys chartarum, which are the most common black molds that result from water damage
- Stachybotrys chlorohalonata, which is similar to sister species of the Stachybotrys chartarum
There are still many types that produce the black color. Nevertheless, the Stachybotrys chartarum becomes the focus for molds that are present from water damages.
Causes of black mold growth
There are many reasons why black mold grows. Since each species of mold thrives differently in different settings, they all pose various effects globally. For the species of black mold present in water damages, Stachybotrys chartarum, the most common cause for growth and breeding are the following:
Presence of moisture
Moist places can exhibit a high rate of mold growth. Because one of the primary needs of any organism is water, the black mold especially thrives in these settings. Rooms with high humid levels or structural damages that can hold moisture for days incite the growth of these black-colored colonies.
Changing weather conditions don’t hinder the growth of mold as much. These microorganisms may lay dormant in the colder seasons, but colonies can adapt to the temperature and multiply with an abundance of water present.
Materials and items
A minor cause of mold growth is the material present. With home structures and interiors, many items and materials can speed up breeding molds. Damp cloths, uncleaned carpets, moist wooden structures, damaged walls, untouched attics, uncleaned vents can all grow molds.
Anything that holds moisture is attractive to black molds. As such, if you have damages to the structure of any part of your home, it’s necessary to repair impairments from the water damage. Examples such as leaky roofs, broken gutters, and rotting wood support mold growth as well.
Effects from black mold growth
As black mold thrives in moist areas, situations can turn bad over time. If left unchecked, tons of areas can hose molds and take over structures fast. There is a direct correlation between people who have regular exposure to black mold and recurring health conditions for a period.
Health effects to black mold exposure
Black mold is often known as “the toxic mold”, although there is no research to support the evidence of specific diseases caused by these species of molds. On a more factual note, however, the presence of Stachybotrys chartarum in enclosed spaces and damaged properties does impact health conditions.
For people with common allergies and respiratory diseases like rhinitis, pneumonia, or asthma, black mold can worsen the person’s condition. Though mold species don’t directly cause these diseases, it causes allergic reactions due to high exposure levels, which can trigger the given conditions of any individual.
Structural effects of black mold
More than health, structural integrity weakens with the presence of black mold. Water damages can result from ongoing conditions of any space. Maintenance is essential for businesses or homes for regular inspection and assessments of mold presence and growth.
While leaky pipes and wet walls can host black mold, it can also mean the degradation of these materials. As colonies of molds infest and breed in rotting wood, don’t expect home walls to hold up properly for a long time. Mold growth is an effective recipe for property decay.
Ways to prevent mold growth
Preventions are better methods in dealing with mold. Even if there is evidence of the growing molds in any home or commercial space, it’s still possible to prevent adverse effects of these microorganisms. The best way to avoid further growth of mold is by actively applying ways to prevent breeding.
Control humidity levels
Decreasing the humidity levels of enclosed spaces lessens the chance of molds growing. A humidity level of 30 to 60 percent reduces for molds to take place and breed. It also helps to have effective ventilation systems in the area.
Professional service for mold removals
The next thing to do is seek professional services. Many businesses focus on the remediation of mold damages. Water damage restorations also help repair damages that can cause an ideal breeding ground for molds. Here at Super Star Restoration, we can give you the service you need to remedy the presence of black molds.
Seek professional services to prevent, inspect or remove molds
We are Super Star Restoration, and we give you 5-star services that can address mold growth. Our business has been around to provide the necessary services that prevent further mold growth. We want you to have a safe and comfortable home or workspace, free from molds and mold damages.
We focus on giving long-time mold removals, which include removing black molds from homes and businesses. There’s no need to see discolored walls and unattractive ceiling partitions due to these microorganisms’ black and dark green color.
Our team also offers water damage restorations to fix water impairments. We know that it can be a struggle to experience dysfunctions from poor plumbing and problematic sewage systems. Dysfunctional leaks can cause an increase in moisture levels which becomes attractive for mold species. We are here to help you with that concern.
If you want a mold-free home, affordable water damage repairs, and efficient service, give Super Star Restoration a call. Our number is (916) 520 9529, and you can book a job here.