Types of Mold and How to Identify Them in Your Home

Mold can be a common issue in many homes, especially those with poor air circulation or water damage and in humid climates. There are many types of molds that grow in different places, and it’s important to know what kind of mold is in a home to effectively remove it and prevent it from coming back. Discover what home mold is, the types that exist, and how to rid it from a home.

What Is Mold, and How Can It Affect a Home?

Mold is a fungus that grows in the form of multicellular structures, called “hyphae.” It reproduces through spores and grows in places that are moist and/or humid. 

As for health impacts from mold, people can have a wide variety of reactions, from severe to barely noticeable. Some common health effects from mold growth, according to the CDC, include:

• Stuffy or runny nose.
• Coughing.
• Itchy or watery eyes.
• Skin rashes.
• Allergic reactions with more severe cold-like symptoms.
• Worsening asthma symptoms in people with the condition.
• Respiratory infections.

The CDC notes that there are no proven connections between mold and life-threatening or other serious conditions. Only a few reports link “toxic” molds to severe health conditions, and more evidence is needed.

Types of Home Mold

Here are common types of home mold that can be found in homes and what they look like:

• Acremonium can be pink, gray, orange, or white and can be found in humidifiers, air coils, and window sealants.
• Alternaria, which has a velvet texture, is dark green or brown and occurs in nearly any area with excess dampness.
• Aureobasidium, a pink or brown mold that can be found growing behind wallpaper or on painted or wooden surfaces.
• Chaetomium has a cotton-like texture that changes color over time and can be found in areas with water damage.
• Cladosporium, which is an olive-green or brown mold that grows on fabrics, carpets, under floorboards, and inside cabinets.
• Mucor typically grows near HVAC systems and can have a white or gray color.
• Penicillium can grow on carpets, wallpaper, ducts, and mattresses and has a blue-green color.
• Stachybotrys is a black-green mold found in porous materials like wood, cardboard, paper, and wicker.
• Ulocladium, which is usually black and grows in kitchens, basements, bathrooms, and around windows with high condensation.

How to Get Rid of Mold

Use the following steps to tackle mold in a home:

• Address the excess moisture problem. Fix the leak, poor air circulation, or other issues that are causing excess moisture first to prevent more mold from growing.
• Try store-bought or DIY solutions. Buy a tough-action mold removal spray and apply it to the area. Then, scrub away. Or, consider using nontoxic DIY solutions like warm water and soap, water and white vinegar, or a water-vinegar-baking soda mixture.
• Don’t use bleach. The EPA does not recommend using chlorine bleach and similar chemicals to remove mold unless a professional does so. This is often because bleach cannot effectively remove mold.

One of the best ways to remove and prevent mold is to trust professionals like Steamatic who are skilled in cleaning, restoration, and construction. Contact Steamatic to learn more about how mold remediation services can effectively clean a home, reduce excess moisture, and eliminate mold-related health impacts.