What Does Black Mold Smell Like? What you Need to Know!
Discovering mold in your home is probably one of the most unpleasant things you can experience. There are thousands of different types of mold species found indoors and outdoors. Mold is a type of fungus and we are all exposed to harmless amounts of mold almost every day as we move around outdoors because their spores travel through the air. When spores find their way into your home, however, this can develop into a serious problem, especially if you or members of your household are allergic to mold. Once a spore finds the right conditions in which it can grow and spread, it can sometimes be undetected until it is has reached a critical level. Here’s how to figure out if you have toxic mold such as black mold in your home and what you can do to prevent or get rid of it.
What is black mold?
There are a variety of mold commonly found in homes. These molds can vary from gray to olive green or black in colour. All molds thrive where is moisture of dampness and usually grow on wood, cardboard or insulation. Damp, dark areas are prone to mold. Black mold, scientifically referred to as ‘Stachybotrys chartarum”. This mold is not actually black in colour but instead resembles a greenish-black hue.
How can black mold be harmful?
Mold is notorious for causing or aggravating respiratory conditions, allergies and lung health. Black mold isn’t poisonous but they can produce mycotoxins. When spores containing mycotoxins are inhaled, they can cause serious health problems. People who have asthma, sinus issues, allergies, compromised immune systems or lung conditions are susceptible to being affected by the presence of mold in a building which can worsen their conditions and trigger serious reactions. Symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, watery itchy eyes and a sore, itchy throat commonly arise when black mold is present. Prolonged exposure to black mold may also neurologically issues, brain inflammation and cause people with no prior respiratory ailments to develop conditions such as asthma.
How to check for mold in your home
Odor
A major giveaway for the detecting the presence of black mold in your home is the smell. What does black mold smell like? It has an earthy, musty smell which is also very pungent and noticeable when you enter a room that has mold. Some people have described as the scent of rotting leaves or vegetables. The strong odor of black mold can lead to discovering where the mold is growing if you cannot see any visible sign. Areas such as ceilings, inside of walls or damp basements are places where mold can grow and stay out of sight. If you notice a musty smell that doesn’t go away, you should start searching for mold.
Signs of water damage
Dark rings on gypsum ceiling or drywall usually indicate water damage. Black mold thrives in moist conditions and usually where there is water damage you may find mold appearing in dark rings or patches on the surface of materials such as drywall, lumber, cardboard, cotton or wicker. These visual indicators can show where the mold is situated and it’s easier to take action.
Sudden or frequent respiratory irritation or reactions
As mentioned before, runny nose, coughing and other symptoms may occur when mold is present in large numbers. If you or your family frequently fall ill with no reasonable explanation, it could be due to a reaction from prolonged exposure to black mold.
How to get rid of mold
If you can see visible patches or rings of black mold in an area of your home, you can attempt to remove it yourself. Use soap and water, bleach apply to the area and a scrubbing brush to remove it from your wall, ceiling or wherever you can see the mold. Apply disinfect to the area after the mold is scrubbed and washed off.
If you aren’t able to see the mold but can smell it, you should call a specialist to track the mold and collect samples and remove it. If you aren’t sure what type of mold it is, it doesn’t matter because all mold can be problematic over time. This may be costly expectably if the mold infestation is widespread but it is worth the expense to ensure the safety of your family and yourself.
Prevent the occurrence of mold by looking out for leaks and any place that is being infiltrated by moisture and repairing them as soon as possible. Keep your home well ventilated to reduce humidity or invest in a dehumidifier. Black mold needs damp, humid conditions to thrive.
Conclusion
Black mold can be toxic and it’s advisable that you get rid of it as soon as you discover that it has started to grow in your home. Looks out for signs or mold and of course, the smell of it. Black mold can be easy to remove once discovered. It depends on how much it has spread throughout your home and whether DIY cleaning methods can suffice. If the there are several places in your home that are affected by mold, a thorough cleaning of the whole house, all inaccessible areas, ceilings and wall interiors is required. This can only be done by a professional mold removal team.
Try to keep your home clean and well ventilated and repair leaks that may be causing moisture to seep into areas of your home. Do regular rounds of maintenance checks around the house to look out for mold and even if you aren’t sure your suspicions are accurate, call an expert in mold removal to help guide you or do an evaluation.