Here are the common types of house mold.
At one point or the other, you must have come across mold in your home. They can be found in areas with excess moisture and some warmth.
However, not all household mold is the same. Many species can invade your home, and we’ll be taking a look at them one by one.
Categories Of Mold In Homes
Mold types can be broken down into 3 categories. These are –
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Allergenic mold
These are mold species that are known to produce allergens and cause allergic reactions among those who make contact with it.
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Pathogenic mold
These are the mold species that can complicate acute illnesses among individuals.
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Toxigenic mold
These are mold types that are known to produce toxic elements. These toxins are dangerous, as they can affect health and even lead to fatality.
Types Of Mold In Homes
Now that we’ve broken mold down into their separate categories, let’s take a look at 10 of the most common mold types you can find in your home.
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Acremonium mold
This is a toxigenic mold type that changes in appearance over a short period of time. It begins as a small moist mold that changes into a smooth powdery substance.
Acremonium mold is usually colored pink, grey, orange, or white. This mold species commonly grows in household systems and spaces such as condensation from humidifiers, drain pans, and window sealants.
Individuals who are exposed to acremonium are put at risk of bone marrow disease, deteriorated immune systems, and organ infection.
This mold type is also a carcinogen, this means those who are exposed to it are also at risk of brain function impairment.
Acremonium is known to grow in the company of other mold species, most especially Stachybotrys.
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Alternaria mold
This is the most popular type of allergenic mold on Earth. It has a smooth velvet texture and is covered in brown or dark green hair.
Just like other household molds, this one grows in areas that are damp and dark. You can find them mostly in your shower area, bathtubs, and right under the kitchen or bathroom sink.
Alternaria is an allergenic mold, this means it can cause asthma-like symptoms among people who have been exposed to it. It affects the nose, mouth, and upper respiratory tract.
The worst part about this household mold is that it spreads very fast. This is why you should get rid of it immediately you see it growing anywhere around your home.
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Aspergillus mold
This mold in particular is very common in American homes. It is characterized by its long flask-like spores, which grow to form very thick layers on walls, floors, and ceilings.
There are over 180 sub-species of aspergillus mold, which is why you can find them growing in different colors.
This too is an allergenic mold, but it also has toxic properties. Among the dangers, it possesses include –
- Symptoms of an asthma attack
- Lung infection
- Inflammation in the respiratory tracts
Some aspergillus mold can even produce aflatoxins, which is a very deadly carcinogen.
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Aureobasidium mold
This is an allergenic mold that is fond of growing behind damp wallpaper, painted surfaces, and wood. These are all organic matter which it can feed on so it thrives in these environments.
It has a unique pink color, but it can also be found growing in colors brown and black. If it remains on a Surface for years, it will eventually evolve into a dark brown color.
What makes this mold type so dangerous is its ability to infect the skin, eyes, and nails. That being said, ensure that you never make direct bare skin contact with it to avoid rashes.
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Chaetomium mold
If there is serious water damage in your hoke, then you will most likely find Chaetomium mold growing there.
It is characterized by its cotton-like body and gray or white color. As time passes, this mold gradually morphs into a blackish color.
This mold is commonly found in leaking roofs, sinks, basements, and it produces a strong musty smell.
This mold can also cause both nail and skin infections. It also produces mycotoxins, which are extremely hazardous among persons with weakened immune systems.
Since it grows in areas with extensive water damage, it is important to fix all leakages before they can begin spreading.
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Cladosporium mold
This is an allergenic mold species that can grow in both warm and cold environments. You can find it on your fabric if it is damp enough.
You can also find it growing on your carpets, under your floorboards, inside the cupboards, and on your upholstery.
It has a texture similar to suede, and it has a smooth velvet or dark brown color
What makes this mold dangerous (besides the fact it can grow in cold and warm environments), is that it can cause severe allergies to the eyes, skin, throat, and nose.
It can also cause lung infections and asthma symptoms.
This mold type does not produce toxins but doesn’t ever make direct contact with it, since it produces strong allergens.
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Fusarium mold
This mold type doesn’t just thrive in warm environments, it can easily grow in cold temperatures too. It is considered to be very dangerous, thanks to its allergenic and toxigenic properties.
You can find it growing around your carpet, wallpaper, and other organic fabric or material. They are pinkish-red in color, and can also grow on decaying food.
If a person is exposed to a fusarium, they could experience some skin reactions. They could also develop a sore throat, itching in the eyes, constant sneezing, and dermatitis.
It gets worse if a person is exposed to it for too long, as this can lead to fatal outcomes resulting from bone infection and brain abscess.
Fusarium is also known to produce toxins that can hurt the nervous system, and cause internal bleeding and hemorrhages.
Fusarium spreads very fast, so you should tackle it as soon as you find it.
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Mucor mold
This is one of the most common allergenic molds that you can find in your home. They grow in thick patches and they appear to be whitish or grey.
For some reason, mucor prefers to grow around air conditioners, HVACs, and ducts. This is all thanks to the moisture from the condensation which creates the perfect environment for them to grow.
Another area they can be commonly found is on old carpets, especially when they are damp.
Just like its contemporaries, mucor can also cause a series of health problems, especially the ones that target the respiratory system. Exposure to mucor can worsen asthma conditions and produce flu-like symptoms.
It has also been discovered that mucor can also cause those exposed to it to experience a fever.
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Penicillin mold
This is another common allergenic mold you can find in your home. It is also very easy to recognize, thanks to its bluish-green color.
You can find it growing within damp carpets, ducts, and wallpaper. You can also find it in old, damp mattresses.
Penicillin also has the ability to spread very fast.
It doesn’t take long for it to move from one area of your home to the other. Their superb airborne abilities and quick infection rate make it one of the hardest mold species to remove.
As hazardous as this mold species can be, it is also very useful to humans. Scientists use it to produce important antibiotics, as well as process food.
Side effects of penicillin exposure include asthma and pulmonary inflammation. Long-term exposure can also lead to sinusitis.
If you have any immune disorder, then you should stay far away from penicillin. This is because it will only worsen the condition.
Knowing how dangerous penicillin mold can be, it is best advised that you begin removing it from all your surfaces as soon as you find it growing.
Since it is attracted to moist areas, you can prevent it from growing by keeping all the areas of your home dry.
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Stachybotrys mold
Stach for short is also known as black mold, and it is probably the most famous mold type on Earth.
This toxigenic mold can cause allergies, complicate breathing problems, and weaken immune systems.
It is characterized by its deep greenish-black color. Unlike other mold species on this list, this one doesn’t have a suede or velvet texture. Rather, it has a disgusting, slimy body.
It can be found in damp areas with excess humidity.
Black mold fondly grows on cellulose material like paper, cardboard, wicker, hay, and wood.
Stach has also been linked to several neurological problems among children.
Being that this is such a common and dangerous mold species, it is best to contact a mold remediation expert to get rid of it fast.
Conclusion
Being able to identify the different mold types will better prepare you for getting rid of them. Remember, all mold species are dangerous and should be removed immediately they start to grow on any of your surfaces.
We hope this article has been informative.
Take care!