A few days ago I found myself in the basement of a friend’s home and I knew immediately that they had symptoms of black mold. As soon as I’d spent a few minutes down there I could detect a musty odor, which is one of the most common signs that you have a problem. Several hours later I realized there was a really serious problem when I began coughing and had some difficult breathing. It wasn’t until I stepped outside and away from the basement, that I found myself feeling much better.

Of course the above are only a few signs that there may be a toxic mold problem. Musty odors, moisture on walls, woodwork and other surfaces are also most often a sign that you have mold in your house.  You may also have a problem if you find yellow, green, black or brown colored stains on your walls or ceilings, which is often a sign of leaking.

In people, mold poisoning can often result in respiratory system problems, headaches (including migraines), coughing, red and irritated eyes, skin rash, nausea, short and long term memory loss, lethargy, dizziness, irritated mucous membranes, asthma attacks, severe allergic reactions, watery eyes, runny nose, urinary tract infections, liver pain, liver damage, lack of concentration and irregularity in blood pressure.

Prolonged exposure to toxic molds may cause bleeding of the lungs, infertility and even death in infants, elderly and those with a weak immune system.

If you find there is a mold problem in your home, depending on the amount of fungus present, you may be able to remove it yourself or you may need to hire a contractor to do it for you. In any event, you need to take the problem very seriously.

You need to take all of the precautions necessary by wearing protective gloves and a respiratory mask when working around the mold. And if the problem is larger than 10 square feet, do your research by asking neighbors, friends and even local businesses what contractor they would recommend. Get estimates and shop around. And always make sure to get everything in writing before any work is started.

You will also want to control future mold problems by keeping moisture levels to a minimum. You can do so by opening windows and using exhaust fans and humidifiers where they are needed. An air purifier can also be an essential prevention tool since it can rid the air of airborne particles and fungus spores. You will also want to repair leaking pipes, roofs and other leaky structures.

If your home has an air conditioner or HVAC unit, check to see that the air and ventilation ducts are clean and free of dirt and debris. And don’t forget ceiling fans, which can also gather dust and dirt.

Consider replacing wallpaper and carpet in kitchen, bathrooms and basements where signs and symptoms of black mold occur most often. Or paint rooms with a moisture or mold resistant paint, which can generally be purchased in most home and remodeling stores.

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