More than an eyesore, mold growth can potentially be symptomatic of severe underlying water damage, poor ventilation, or hidden leaks. Among all types of mold, black mold appears to inspire the greatest fear—and understandably so. It has the capability of impacting indoor air quality and inducing respiratory issues, most especially in those with allergies, asthma, or weakened immune systems. But how do you know if the dark patch in your basement, attic, or bathroom is actually black mold?
At Safer Home Service LLC, we are experts in moisture control, mold inspection, mold removal, and remediation. Our experienced staff is certified in mold inspection, water restoration, and indoor environmental health, which means we have the knowledge and equipment to safely and correctly identify black mold. If you believe you have mold in your home, here are significant signs to look out for and what to do next.
What Is Black Mold?
Black mold most often refers to a species called Stachybotrys chartarum. Black mold prefers to grow in damp, moist environments and is most often found with slow-moving leaks, flood damage, or extended periods of high humidity. Black mold will more often than not grow on porous materials like drywall, insulation, or wood, usually in hidden areas, unlike other molds that may appear on the surface of bathroom tile or around window sills.
This mold is greenish-black in color and slimy or damp to the touch when it is active. When it has been dry for a while, it may be more powdery in nature. The damp, earthy smell is a good indication of its existence, especially in areas that don’t get a lot of air circulation.
It’s essential to mention that not every dark-colored mold is black mold. Mold has numerous species, and its proper identification involves professional evaluation and lab tests.
Signs You Might Have Black Mold
One of the best indicators of black mold is a persistent, strong odor. It typically smells musty or like rotten wood. If you begin to detect this odor coming from behind walls, under flooring, or in HVAC ductwork, it may be time to start exploring.
Mold growth is apparent – another sign, but it is deceptive. The mold may be gray, dark green, or black and either raised or flat. Any mold growth on ceiling tiles, wood, or drywall is problematic. Since black mold prefers wet, cellulose-based surfaces, basements, crawl spaces, and attics are common breeding grounds.
In addition to physical symptoms, watch for physical signs. If headache, tiredness, nasal stuffiness, skin rashes, or worsening asthma symptoms have been present when you or your household members are at home, mold is probably the cause. While these symptoms are not exclusive to black mold, extended exposure to airborne indoor contaminants has been reported to trigger them.
We typically advise customers in the area to have their homes inspected if they notice repeated mold spots or experience ongoing moisture issues. With professional gear and sampling techniques, we can determine whether what you’re noticing is truly black mold.
How to Confirm If It’s Black Mold
The only way to confirm the presence of black mold is through proper mold testing and inspection. While home testing kits exist, they are often unreliable and don’t provide enough context about the source or spread of the mold. Accurate assessment requires the tools and expertise of certified professionals.
At Safer Home Service LLC, we offer mold testing in Haddonfield and throughout South Jersey. Our certified mold inspectors use moisture meters, infrared cameras, and air sampling to detect mold even when it’s hidden behind walls or ceilings. We also evaluate the conditions that may have allowed the mold to grow in the first place, such as poor ventilation, excess condensation, pipe leaks, or foundation cracks.
This comprehensive approach is essential. Simply cleaning visible mold may not solve the problem if the moisture source remains. That’s why we always include a thorough inspection with every mold testing service we perform.
Why You Shouldn’t Remove It Yourself
We get called repeatedly by homeowners who have tried cleaning the mold in their home by themselves, whereupon it comes back again – and this time in an even larger quantity! In some other cases, homeowners end up complicating matters through DIY measures as they disperse mold spores into the atmosphere, which ends up spreading the mold..
Black mold will deposit microscopic spores that will adhere to new surfaces and continue growing if not adequately treated. Cleaning or disturbing the mold without containment and filtration has the potential to cross-contaminate clean environments and create more of a problem than it started out as.
More critical, however, is the contact through cleaning, which is hazardous to your health. Safe remediation is something we take seriously, utilizing professional gear such as HEPA air scrubbers, negative air machines, antimicrobial disinfectants, and safety suits. Our professionals are instructed on how to identify compromised materials, which must be removed and replaced, and how to sanitize and treat the exposed surfaces that remain.
If you’re dealing with mold in your home, our team can guide you through the safe and effective process of mold removal in Collingswood, NJ, and all surrounding areas. We ensure not only that the mold is eliminated but that the underlying moisture issue is addressed to prevent future growth.
The Role of Moisture in Mold Growth
One of the key culprits behind every mold issue is moisture. Regardless of whether it comes from a roof leak, faulty plumbing, or high indoor humidity, moisture provides the perfect environment for mold to thrive. In the absence of water, mold spores are dormant. For this reason, controlling water is the beginning of preventing mold.
Our inspections always include a diligent observation of possible sources of water. We look at rooflines, crawl spaces, basements, and plumbing to find vulnerabilities. Most moisture issues do not manifest until mold begins to develop. By the time you can visibly see mold growing, water likely has existed for weeks or months.
Remediation is never enough on its own. Long-term mold prevention involves stopping the source of the problem, which may involve improving drainage, sealing joints, or installing dehumidifiers. We work with homeowners to ensure that they have the appropriate methods in place for long-term protection.
Get Peace of Mind with Safer Home Service LLC
If you have a suspicion that there may be black mold in your home, do not let it grow! A timely inspection and remediation plan can minimize the damage, salvage your property and the health of all the people and pets living inside. Safer Home Service LLC gives every case individual consideration as each instance of mold differs. Our technicians professionally treat every house armed with extensive remediation training and industry-standard techniques.
We’re proud to serve South Jersey communities with reliable mold solutions backed by years of hands-on experience. If you need testing, removal, or moisture control, we’re here to help.
Contact Safer Home Service LLC today to schedule your mold inspection. We’ll provide you with answers and the comfort of knowing what’s actually going on as we strive to educate every homeowner so that they can prevent future occurrences.