Common Mold Types Found in Homes and Businesses

No matter how well you clean your home, mold happens. While there is no way to prevent mold entirely, it is important to recognize which type you’re dealing with and determine when you have a problem that needs to be handled by a professional.

Mold vs Mildew

One of the most common questions homeowners face is whether they’re dealing with mold or mildew. Contrary to popular assumption, mildew is a type of mold, vs a different species of fungus. It primarily infiltrates the surface of damp materials and is typically easier to clean than other mold varieties.

Mildew often shows up as gray or white, but it can also be dark brown in color. It may have a fuzzy appearance and be found in splotches on frequently wet surfaces, such as bathroom walls, fabrics, or grout in tubs. You can clean it using most mold and mildew surface cleaners found in your local grocery or home improvement store.

A Note About "Black" Mold

Most home and business owners have heard of “deadly black mold.” While a specific strain of dangerous mold, stachybotrys chartarum, can appear black, the color alone isn’t enough to identify this type of mold. Other, much less harmful molds can also be black in color.

Further, black mold is often not “deadly” but may cause serious health issues with enough exposure. It can be dangerous for susceptible individuals, however, such as immunocompromised people, the elderly, and infants.

Strains of Common Household Molds

There are more than 100,000 recognized strains of mold, so identifying all of them would be impossible. Many are not harmful, and some may have medicinal properties. Some strains are commonly found in households, however. These can include:

Penicillium

This type of mold sometimes contains Penicillin, a common antibiotic medication used to treat bacterial infections. It often has a green or blue color and can be found on food that is left out too long. It can also grow on wallpaper, fabrics, and other surfaces.

Cladosporium

Cladosporium often appears in wet or damp areas such as behind toilets and under sinks. Bathrooms with improper ventilation may also accumulate growth on walls or ceilings. It can be black, brown, or green in color and may have a spotty or splotchy appearance.

Aspergillus

This mold is commonly seen on old food and vegetation, grains, or sometimes found in air conditioning ducts. It can be yellow, brown, or green in color. While not as dangerous as stachybotrys, aspergillus can cause increased allergy or asthma symptoms in those who are susceptible.

In those who are immunocompromised, it is also linked to a lung infection called aspergillosis.

Alternaria

Appearing yellow or light brown, Alternaria is the most common household mold. It may appear fuzzy in texture. Although it isn’t highly toxic, it may cause allergy or asthma symptoms in susceptible individuals.

Stachybotrys chartarum

The most dangerous form of mold on the list, stachybotrys, is often found on building materials with high cellulose content like drywall, lumber, and insulation. It is common in buildings with plumbing or roof leaks where there is high moisture content. It releases mycotoxins, which can be dangerous to human health.

Professional removal is highly recommended.

Identifying Common Mold Types

Since various molds have a very similar appearance, it can be hard to tell them apart. Some trained professionals may be able to recognize some molds by sight. To be sure of what you’re dealing with, however, surface and air testing should be performed. This will identify the exact type of mold on a specific surface or floating in the air.

How to Clean Mold

Image URL: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photo-of-person-cleaning-the-table-4099467/

Small areas of mold may be able to be handled by home or business owners. There are various ways to go about this.

Step 1: Wear Safety Gear

Even when dealing with small areas of mold, it’s a good idea to wear a face mask, goggles, and gloves to protect your lungs and skin from the mold itself as well as the cleaning solution.

Step 2: Choose Your Cleaning Agent

Many types of cleaning solutions can be used to handle mold. These can include:

• Equal parts white vinegar and water
• 1 cup of bleach mixed with 1 gallon of water
• 3% undiluted hydrogen peroxide
• Commercial cleaner containing Concrobium mold killer

Step 3: Spray Your Solution

Spray the area with your choice of cleaning solution. Mild solutions, such as vinegar and water, may need to be left to sit for up to 3 hours before wiping. More potent agents should be left for 10-20 minutes and then wiped. Repeat if necessary.

Step 4: Remove Moisture Sources

Removing mold will only be effective if you also remove the source of moisture that allowed it to grow in the first place. Make sure any plumbing leaks, faulty ventilation systems, or other moisture sources are removed to prevent regrowth.

When to Call a Professional

Image URL: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-in-yellow-reflective-safety-vest-holding-a-pen-and-checklist-of-house-inspection-8293680/

There are times when mold removal should not be handled by property owners. Large areas of mold growth, mold found within the walls or structure, or any amount of stachybotrys should be handled by a professional mold removal service.

You should also call a professional plumber or contractor to handle any severe roof or plumbing leaks, or if you cannot locate the source of moisture yourself. Even relatively benign mold types can become hazardous to susceptible individuals if left to grow unchecked.

How to Choose a Mold Remediation Service

Hiring the wrong person to handle your mold problem can actually make health hazards worse. Improperly contained mold spores can enter the air where you and your family can breathe them in more easily. To ensure you’re hiring a reputable company, keep these issues in mind:

Hire a Remediator and Inspector Separately

Consider hiring separate companies for mold inspection and removal. Hiring the same company to do both can become a conflict of interest.

Read Reviews

Online reviews are a good way to get a feel for the types of experiences customers can expect from a specific company.

Ask for References

Get professional references when possible and make sure to follow up with them. Talking directly to someone who has worked with a specific company is often helpful for learning how a company operates and how it approaches customer concerns.

Talk to Other Professionals

Contractors and other building professionals may have recommendations for mold remediation experts who can help in your situation.

Get it in Writing

Make sure you have a written agreement with your mold specialist to determine what is included with the service, whether there are any warranties, and what you should do if mold returns in the same area once the underlying moisture is remedied.

Putting it Together

Mold isn’t automatically a reason to panic. Most types are relatively harmless in small amounts and can be cleaned by property owners. Larger mold issues may need to be handled by a reputable mold remediation company, but even major problems can often be successfully remediated.