Ten Types of Mold Found in Homes
You’ve heard of black mold, but that’s only one type of mold. If you own a home, then you might find any of these types of mold hiding in your house.
Is your home suffering from mold? Mold is more than just an unsightly annoyance, it can pose some serious health risks – such as breathing problems, infections and even depression. That’s why you need to know how to spot it.
It’s not just the dreaded “black mold” that you need to be wary of. There are countless different types of mold out there. In this post, we’ll give you information about ten of them.
10 Types of Mold to Look Out for in Your Home
Mold can take many forms, but here are some of the more common types:
1. Acremonium
Acremonium is a dangerous mold that can lead to serious problems within the immune system, bone marrow, and even the brain.
The appearance of Acremonium changes over time. First, it begins as a small patch of moist mold that’s white, grey, orange or pink in color. Then, it turns into a powder.
You’re most likely to find this species of mold in areas that usually have condensation, such as around the seals of your windows and inside your humidifiers or air conditioning units.
2. Alternaria
Alternaria is a dark green or brown mold with a velvety texture, which grows at a rapid rate.
It can grow in any area of your home that’s left damp for long periods of time, like showers, cupboards, under leaky sinks, and in areas that have been affected by any kind of water damage.
Alternaria is an allergenic mold, which means it causes respiratory problems that are similar to those that come with asthma.
3. Aureobasidium
Aureobasidium is another type of allergenic mold, which usually grows on wood or underneath the wallpaper. While at first it appears pink or brown, over time it becomes a darker brown or even black.
In addition to breathing problems, it can also cause skin rashes and infections. For this reason, it’s important to avoid touching it if you find it in your home. Although you should never try to remove mold yourself, if you do decide to take the DIY approach, always wear a protective mask and gloves.
4. Ulocladium
Ulocladium thrives in areas with large amounts of water. If your home has suffered from water damage, it’s important to keep your eye out for it.
Like Aureobasidium, it can cause asthma-like symptoms and skin problems. However, it has a different appearance, and typically grows in black and white patches.
5. Aspergillus
Aspergillus is one of the most commonly-found household molds. It takes many forms, with almost 200 different species in total. This means that it can appear in a variety of different colors, but generally is green, yellow, or brown.
This type of mold is usually found in areas with soil, rotting wood, or piles of leaves – but can also be found in spaces with lots of condensation build-up, such as HVAC systems.
When the spores are inhaled, they can cause a medical condition called aspergillosis. Symptoms include fever, wheezing, coughing, difficulty breathing, and unexplained weight loss. While this is rare in people of good health, it can be dangerous for those with lung conditions or a history of tuberculosis.
Certain species of Aspergillus produce deadly toxins, which can lead to serious long-term lung conditions.
6. Trichoderma
Trichoderma appears in patches of clusters. Colonies are transparent or white at first, with a furry appearance.
If you have damp patches of carpet or wallpaper, you’re likely to find this type of mold there.
Trichoderma is not particularly harmful to humans, but it can be devastating to buildings. It destroys fabric and wood, causing it to rot and deteriorate. The longer an infestation is left unaddressed by experts, chances are the costs to restore or repair your property will increase as well.
7. Penicillium
We’ve all heard of Penicillin for its medical use as an antibiotic, but did you know that it’s actually a form of mold?
It’s easy to spot because it grows in furry blue or green patches, which can sometimes have white edges.
Penicillium can grow in any moist area of your home, and when it does, it spreads quickly. The spores can easily travel through the air, being inhaled by anyone who lives there. This can cause respiratory problems in the short-term, and chronic sinusitis in the long-term.
8. Stachybotrys (Black Mold)
This type of mold is one of the most well-known, because it’s notorious for posing several health risks.
As the mold grows, it produces mycotoxins, which can lead to mold poisoning. Exposure to these toxins can cause allergic reactions, headaches, respiratory problems and fever. If it’s lurking in your home for a particularly long time, it can also cause you to experience anxiety, confusion, weight gain, and even hair loss.
Stachybotrys is particularly dangerous for young children and people with pre-existing conditions or weakened immune systems.
Black mold usually appears in damp, wet areas of houses that have leaks, high levels of humidity, or a lack of ventilation. Piles of old papers or wood are particularly susceptible.
9. Chaetomium
This kind of mold grows in drywall that has been damaged by water.
You usually smell it before you see it, as it fills your home with a musty odor. It’s not particularly dangerous, but if you don’t remove it, it can lead to skin or nail infections.
10. Fusarium
Fusarium grows in colder areas.
It typically thrives in damp carpeting and wallpaper, growing in pink, white or red patches. It spreads quickly from one room to another, so if you find it in one area, you should contact a professional mold remediation company to assess the rest of your home.
Fusarium is an allergenic mold, and it can cause symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, a runny nose, or dermatitis. Long-term exposure can cause much more serious conditions, some of which can even be life-threatening. However, this is uncommon.
Stop Mold Before it Grows
If you spot any of these types of mold in your home, you need to call a professional mold removal company quickly.
There are a few things you can do to help prevent mold growth. To learn more, read our definitive guide on how to prevent mold.