If you live anywhere near DFW airport, you probably look up at the sky a lot as planes fly (a little too low) overhead. You might also be looking skyward if the thunderclouds are coming, because Northern Texas isn’t immune to heavy rains and flash floods. If your home has flooded, or even if it has suffered a minor water incident that you cleaned up and quickly forgot about, it could be in danger a black mold infestation.
Black mold, sometimes called toxic mold or Stachybotrys chartarum, can cause a host of health problems for humans. The mold spores travel in the air and through the HVAC system, causing occupants allergic reactions that include sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, and even rashes. Mycotoxins from black mold can also enter the brain and cause a myriad of problems such as memory loss, confusion, and depression.
As you can see, black mold isn’t something you want to mess with. The first step in getting rid of toxic mold is to confirm that you have it in the first place, which requires a professional mold air test.
How Does Black Mold Grow?
Black mold can survive in environments that have gotten wet and provide it with its primary food source: cellulose. In nature, black mold simply breaks down organic matter like all mold does, but it’s not in a confined space that can cause humans to become sick.
The real problem is when black mold moves indoors. It hides out behind walls and eats the drywall paper reinforcement and the wood framing of buildings. It can also live perfectly happy in carpets that contain cellulose fibers, glues, and backing.
Any area that retains moisture — a holey attic, a musty basement, a leaky area under the sink — can provide the perfect spot for black mold to grow. Black mold often remains hidden in dark areas, so a mold air test might be the only way to verify you have it.
Contact Culley For Mold Inspection Around DFW Airport
If you suspect you might have black mold, it’s time to call Culley Enviro. Our mold inspection company is ready to help you determine if black mold removal is in your future.