Black mold is both a frustrating and dangerous substance for a homeowner, tenant, or landlord to have to deal with. When you encounter black mold in your home or on your property, you must deal with it in a timely manner, or else you may have to deal with the damage that it leaves behind.
Black mold is capable of causing significant damage both to the structural integrity of one's home or property and to one's health as well. This is due to the fact that black mold spreads by emitting microscopic spores into the air, which are capable of being inhaled.
When a person inhales black mold spores, it can lead to severe respiratory illnesses and allergy-like symptoms.
Black mold is not the same as bacteria or viruses. While black mold may share similar characteristics, it is a multicellular organism and a fungus. This means that you cannot deal with it in the same manner as you would bacteria or viruses.
If you encounter black mold on your property or in your home, it must be dealt with quickly before becoming a bigger problem. If the mold continues to be a pervasive problem, you may find it prudent to report the black mold growth to the Health Department.
Signs of Black Mold
One of the biggest problems with black mold is that it does not immediately visibly present itself. This is because black mold spreads via microscopic spores.
While black mold does eventually present itself as black splotches, it may take a while before you notice them.
However, there are signs that you can look for that indicate black mold growth.
One of the first things you will notice about black mold is no visible indicator. You will notice a musty, pungent odor.
The best way to describe this odor would be that of an old basement or an old attic.
If you are smelling that musty smell, then there's a chance that you have already inhaled mold spores.
This is why physical symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, or sneezing can be taken as signs of potential mold growth.
The areas in which you are most likely to discover black mold growth are the areas in your home that frequently have water in use.
Areas such as the bathroom, laundry room, kitchen, or basement where you keep your water heater or where you are most likely to encounter mold growth.
When Should You Report to the Health Department
Reporting black mold growth to your Health Department is a big step and should be taken under the right circumstances.
The most important time in which you should report black mold to your Health Department is when your landlord or employer has been made aware of black mold growth on their property, but no movement has been made to fix it.
It is their responsibility to ensure that the mold is removed from their property, but when they do not take action, it can become a major safety hazard for tenants or employees.
Reporting to the Health Department
When you are pushed to take the step of reporting mold growth to the health department the first thing you need to do is give them a call.
Once you give them a call, and speak with a representative who can walk you through the process of initiating a report.
You should provide the address and location of the black mold.
You should report how long the mold has been a known problem, including how long your employer or your landlord has known about it. It is also important for you to inform them of how extensive the damage is as best as you understand it.
Any materials that prove your claims such as photographs or mold tests should also be presented. This helps to establish your credibility when making the report.
Health Risks of Black Mold Exposure
You need to understand that black mold exposure can negatively impact your health. Black mold exposure can cause you to develop severe respiratory illnesses in addition to allergies and even asthma.
The possibility of developing these illnesses increases dramatically if you already have a weakened immune system. It's not the best idea to stay in a mold-infested home.
How Do You Prove Black Mold is Making You Sick?
If you suspect that you have gotten sick due to black mold exposure that your landlord or employer has not taken care of then you must be able to prove your claim.
One step you can take is to have a blood test done, which can confirm or assuage any fears you have of mold exposure-based sickness.
You can also have a skin prick test done, which can be obtained by speaking with your doctor.
Prevention and Remediation
Preventing Black Mold Growth
If you are a landlord or employer looking to prevent mold growth on your property, then you need to understand what causes mold growth. Mold requires both moisture and nutrients to grow. This means that you must control the presence of moisture on your property.
One of the first ways to control moisture in your property is to utilize a dehumidifier. This can go a long way towards preventing any moisture on your property from occurring as a result of humidity.
You can even place a dehumidifier in areas such as your laundry room, which can sometimes produce high volumes of steam.
Faulty plumbing can also be a major source of mold-inducing moisture.
You should make a point of regularly inspecting your property's plumbing to ensure that there are no leaks that can lead to mold growth.
Proper ventilation is also very important in preventing mold growth. Mold cannot thrive in an environment with proper ventilation because it robs mold of the moisture it requires to grow.
Regularly changing your air filter as directed can help improve ventilation. You should also use an air purifier, which can trap mold spores that would otherwise be floating around in your property's air.
When and Why You Should Call a Professional
If you discover mold growth on your property, it must be handled promptly and effectively.
While there are do-it-yourself solutions to mold growth on your property, if the mold growth exceeds 10 ft, the EPA strongly advises that you call in a professional to take care of the mold.
A mold remediation professional will have the proper tools and experience to remove the mold and even prevent it from returning.
If you are a landlord or employer, you must ensure that the mold is removed promptly and safely, lest you be held legally responsible for any damages or potential illnesses that your tenants or employees may develop.
