No one wants to think about mold. It’s gross and harmful to your health. Unfortunately, you have no choice but to think about it when it invades your home or workspace—you need to remove it as quickly as possible.
By understanding the basics of mold and learning about the most common types of mold that may appear in your home, you can easily identify mold habitats before the growth even starts. This will help you avoid mold growth and take the appropriate steps to mitigate mold growth in your home or workplace.
Understanding Mold
Mold is a non-green plant that grows in damp and humid environments. It reproduces and spreads steadily through the air and land in favorable growth environments. As mold grows, it releases tiny spores that cause health problems for most individuals.
Mold can be separated into three main types: allergenic, pathogenic, and toxigenic. Allergic mold is the most common type. This mold typically causes symptoms like nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, and itchy/watery eyes. In some cases, it can induce asthma symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.
Pathogenic mold has adverse health conditions as it causes infections. It’s most dangerous to those with weak immune systems but can also severely impact children and older adults. On the other hand, toxigenic mold generates toxic components such as mycotoxins that are dangerous to a person’s health. Toxigenic mold also causes dizziness, nausea, and neurological damage.
Unfortunately, mold thrives in high-moisture locations throughout the home, including basements, kitchens, and bathrooms. Furthermore, it grows and spreads in organic materials often collected inside homes, such as fabric, wood, and paper. Because of this, all homeowners need to understand the most common types of mold they may encounter in their homes so they can be on the lookout.
16 Common Types of Mold That May Grow in Your Home
1. Chaetomium
Chaetomium mold is a type of fungus that can appear as a velvety growth in different color ranges such as white, grey, or greenish-black. The mold produces a musty odor accompanied by dark-colored, spherical structures called perithecia. Chaetomium forms in areas with moisture and organic material that it can feed on. The mold often grows in highly humid areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.
Chaetomium falls in the allergenic mold category. This household mold is not considered dangerous but can lead to respiratory problems. Allergic reactions, respiratory issues, and skin irritation are some of the symptoms of Chaetomium exposure.
You can prevent Chaetomium growth by preventing moisture in your home. If you see this mold, do not touch or interact with it; this can help it spread even further.
2. Stachybotrys
Stachybotrys is also known as black mold. Stachybotrys is a type of fungus that appears as a greenish-black slimy growth. It produces a musty odor. The mold is found in areas with high humidity, such as bathrooms and basements.
Stachybotrys mold falls under the toxigenic mold category. It produces mycotoxins which can cause serious health problems upon exposure. Exposure to Stachybotrys causes various health-related issues such as headaches, dizziness, respiratory issues, and neurological damage in some extreme cases.
Stachybotrys mold forms on surfaces that have been damp for a prolonged period, like areas affected by leaks and flooding. Stachybotrys mold is often associated with severe water damage caused by bursting water pipes, hurricanes, and flooding. If you have experienced any type of water damage, it’s best to call in professionals like Valley Restoration and Construction so we can assess your home for this toxic mold.
3. Trichoderma
Trichoderma mold is a fungus. It appears in color ranges such as green, white, or yellowing growth and has a woolly texture. The mold grows on different surfaces, including soil, plants, and building materials.
Trichoderma mold frequently grows in damp areas and places with high humidity, such as the kitchen or crawl spaces underneath the home. Trichoderma mold can also appear in buildings that have experienced prolonged water leaks and homes with poor ventilation.
Trichoderma is classified as an allergenic mold but exhibits pathogenic properties. Exposure to Trichoderma mold causes allergic reactions, sneezing, runny nose, and skin rashes. Trichoderma can also cause respiratory problems in people with weakened immunity.
To prevent Trichoderma mold effects, consider addressing moisture problems in your home. You may also want to evaluate your home ventilation system and seek options to mitigate moisture accumulation.
4. Alternaria
Alternaria mold appears as a black-greenish-brown fuzzy growth. Alternaria mold grows on soil, plants, and building materials such as drywall and insulation. Often, Alternaria mold thrives in areas with high humidity levels. This means it can grow on surfaces that experience extended exposure to moisture due to water leakage and flooding. However, older homes with poor ventilation and high moisture levels can also see Alternaria growth.
Alternaria is an allergenic mold, and it contains some pathogenic traits. When exposed to Alternaria mold, an individual may experience allergic reactions such as skin rashes, runny nose, and sneezing. Exposure to Alternaria mold can also lead to respiratory problems for some individuals, especially those with underlying health conditions.
To address Alternaria mold infestation, consider ventilating homes properly and installing proper drainage to prevent stagnant water and cases of moisture in an indoor environment.
5. Ulocladium
Ulocladium mold is from the fungus kingdom and has a dark brown to olivaceous black growth, and it resembles the Alternatria mold. It is often found in decaying plants, wood, soil, and dust and thrives in moist and damp areas. It feeds on vegetables, especially nuts, beans, and cereals. Ulocladium mold can grow in low-humid regions and is mainly found outdoors. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t find it in your home.
Ulocladium mold falls under both allergenic and pathogenic categories. It causes an allergic reaction in humans, including eye irritation, sneezing, and skin rashes. Because it is a pathogenic mold, it can also lead to respiratory complications, such as asthma and bronchitis.
Indoor environments should be made waterproof to prevent moisture from accumulating in the house to avert Ulocladium mold spread. Contacting professional mold remediation is essential to carefully and safely remove molds from living settings.
6. Serpula
Serpula appears as white, gray, or yellowish growth. It has a cottony texture. It commonly crops up in damp areas and thrives in spaces with high humidity, such as bathtubs and kitchens.
Serpula is categorized either as allergenic or pathogenic. Exposure to Serpula mold automatically causes an allergic reaction, such as skin rashes and sneezing to an individual. Furthermore, a person will suffer from respiratory-related problems such as asthma and bronchitis on exposure to serpula mold.
Serpula is a dangerous mold. You must handle it carefully. However, you can prevent this mold from growing by regularly ventilating high-moisture areas and checking for water damage regularly.
7. Mucor
Mucor mold appears in either white or grayish growth with a fluffy texture. These molds grow on various surfaces, such as building walls, decaying plant matter, soil, and food.
People should avoid exposure to mucor molds because of the dangers that can come from prolonged exposure. Living alongside Mucor can lead to respiratory problems such as bronchitis and asthma. The mycotoxins it produces can also cause liver damage, pulmonary hemorrhage, and even death.
8. Aspergillus
Aspergillus mold appears as green, yellow, or blackish growth with a powdery texture. It grows on various surfaces and building materials, such as drywall and carpet. Although it can grow in bathrooms and kitchens, Aspergillus often appears in home ventilation systems, making it especially dangerous.
This mold is pathogenic and allergenic. Exposure to Aspergillus can cause an allergic reaction, asthma, and sinusitis. However, its mycotoxins are carcinogenic, causing lung infections. To remedy Aspergillus mold, ensure the indoor living environment is moisture-free and repair damaged leaking water pipes.
9. Penicillium
This type of mold looks like a blueish or greenish growth and has a fluffy texture. The mold forms on various surfaces, including food, carpet, soil, and wallpaper. Humid and damp environments contribute to its formation and feed its growth. The mold can also spread through ventilation systems due to its presence in indoor air.
Upon contact with Penicillium mold, some people experience allergic reactions, including itchy eyes, coughing, and sneezing. It can also cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis, asthma, liver damage and cancer, especially if you let it continue to grow in your home.
10. Aureobasidium
The mold entails a suede-like texture and appears as a black growth. You often see it on windowsills, showers, and damp walls. It also feeds on paint, wallpaper, and other building materials.
Aureobasidium is an allergenic mold. It results in various allergic reactions in individuals, including itchy eyes, coughing, and sneezing. In addition, it also contributes to respiratory problems such as asthma and hypersensitivity.
The easiest way to avoid Aureobasidium growth is by ensuring that your home is properly sealed so water can’t enter around windows or through the walls. You can also use dehumidifiers in older homes to alleviate dampness in the air.
11. Acremonium
Acremonium is a toxigenic mold that appears grey, white, or pinkish and is usually fluffy or powdery. It forms in basements, kitchens, and bathrooms.
This mold usually generates mycotoxins that cause respiratory problems and skin irritation. Due to its adverse characteristics on individuals’ health, exposure to it for a long time can result in other critical health conditions, including organ damage.
If you have a basement, you should regularly measure the moisture levels and check for potential places where moisture can enter your home. Fixing these issues and adequately caring for other areas in your home that produce water will help prevent Aureobasidium growth.
12. Cladosporium
This allergenic mold looks black or green with a velvety texture. It can grow outdoors or indoors and often appears on moist surfaces where water sits for long periods of time.
Prolonged Cladosporium exposure significantly affects an individual’s health. It causes everything from allergy symptoms to respiratory problems such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
13. Fusarium
Fusarium is pinkish, whitish, or reddish with cotton texture. Additionally, this toxigenic mold produces yellow or green spores. Fusarium forms in wet environments such as plant debris, damp building materials, and soil. It also contaminates fruits, grains, and vegetables.
Many health effects are associated with toxins, including gastrointestinal, respiratory, and skin issues. Prolonged exposures to Fusarium can also cause neurological problems and cancer, due to the harmful mycotoxins it produces.
You can prevent mold growth by solving the moisture issues in the indoor environment.
14. Aspergillus species
This mold appears in many colors, including white, green, gray, yellow and black, and also has a velvety texture. Some species of this mold are powdery and woolly.
The mold’s species are found in decaying vegetation and other organic materials such as compost and food. They also grow in wet environments such as bathrooms and damp basements.
Aspergillus fumigatus, a species of Aspergillus, has adverse effects on health as it causes respiratory infections. It also causes allergies and invasive diseases. The mold also generates mycotoxins that contaminate food products. When ingested, this mold can pose serious health risks.
To prevent its growth, one should control the moisture levels, maintain proper ventilation and repair any leaks.
15. Cryptococcus neoformans
It falls under the category of fungus although being classified in the group of molds as it bears similar characteristics as the latter. It has a spherical structure and is small in size. It also has a smooth surface and appears gray or brown. It usually forms on bird droppings and indoor surfaces such as ventilation systems, windows, and doors. It is pathogenic and results in infections. Those with underlying health conditions or a weakened immune systems should avoid all exposure to Cryptococcus neoformans.
16. Histoplasma capsulatum
Histoplasma capsulatum is also a type of fungus but is categorized with molds. The fungus has a yeast-like structure. It is small and round. The fungus gets into the body through inhalation in areas it has developed. Histoplasma capsulatum can lead to severe health conditions such as histoplasmosis that majorly affects individuals with weak immune systems. It also affects many body organ systems and is described as systemic mycosis.
Don’t Mess With Mold: Let The Experts Clean It Up
Unfortunately, every mold on this list can quickly spread within your home once it begins growing. This is why it’s important to take appropriate precautions and seek professional help as soon as you see any signs of mold in your home.
At Valley Restoration, we take mold very seriously. Our team is Applied Microbial Remediation certified, which means we will do all that we can to make sure the contaminated area is treated properly so you can get back to enjoying your home. We will never walk away from a job until we’ve accomplished the right amount of mold remediation to meet our high standards.
If you need help removing mold from your home or want an inspection, give us a call at 970-964-4437.
