According to Mold Solutions, there are several types of mold that can grow in your home, but the most dangerous is stachybotrys chartarum, otherwise known as black toxic mold. Black toxic mold typically grows in dark areas of the home, specifically in basements and attics. This is different from black-colored mold, which isn't necessarily toxic but can cause allergy symptoms, such as watery eyes and an itchy throat. On the other hand, black toxic mold can lead to serious health issues if not dealt with immediately. Symptoms of black toxic mold poisoning may include irritated eyes, chronic coughing and sneezing, and persistent headaches.
If a person is exposed to the mold for an extended period of time, they may develop life-threatening symptoms (per Mold Solutions,) such as heart damage, blood clotting, and internal or external hemorrhaging. While it does sound scary, you can avoid these issues by eliminating dangerous mold before it spreads and makes things worse. The good thing is that the process isn't too difficult, and in most cases, black mold can be removed without professional help.
Prevention is key
In order to prevent mold, you need to understand how and why it grows. Mold is most commonly found in attics because of moisture and poor ventilation, PuroClean explains. Perhaps, you have a leaky roof, or your exhaust fans are spewing hot, moist air all over your attic. During the winter, your attic may exhibit microbial issues because of the condensation created by high relative humidity and cold surfaces. No matter what season, if the mold isn't dealt with right away, it can build up in your attic and cause problems for your health and your home.
To prevent buildup, Mold Help For You suggests inspecting your attic for signs of mold roughly every three months. Use this time to look for signs of any leaks in the roof or built-up moisture that may lead to mold growth. You should also ensure your ventilation is working properly to keep moisture out.
A very effective way to eliminate the dangerous mold lurking in your attic with dry ice blasting — what is dry ice blasting? According to Brothers In Grime, it's the method most used among remediation specialists, but the machine is available to any homeowner. During dry ice blasting, the mold is diffused with carbon dioxide at -78 degrees celsius. Freezing temperatures and a chemical reaction between the CO2 and the mold causes the mold to shrink and detach from whatever surface it's clinging to. Moreover, dry ice blasting also prevents mold from growing back.
