What Does Basement Mold Look And Smell Like?

Do you know what basement mold looks and smells like?

This article comes as a timely help towards resolving your basement mold problem. With the tips supplied here, detecting a mold problem should be much of a big deal.

You only need to look out for unusual appearances on walls, furniture, and basement floors to begin with.

What Does Mold Look And Smell Like In A Basement?

Are you suspecting mold presence in your basement?

This is quite common with moisture and damp conditions being present. The only way to address the problem is by probing further to confirm mold presence. Now, doing so will require proper identification.

Speaking of identification, you’ll need to know what mold looks and smells like.

Indoor Molds are of Varying Types

When it comes to mold in the basement and other indoor spaces, you’ll need to know that these vary. Asides from the many types available, they also have varying appearances.

This makes it even easier to know and identify the particular mold problem you’re dealing with.

It must be said however that irrespective of the type of mold you have, they cause the same problems.

Your primary goal should be to determine that you’re indeed having a mold problem by matching its appearance with the identification tips provided here.

Why Single-Out the Basement?

It’s no secret that mold issues can affect different areas or sections of the home. These include kitchen, around windows, living room, bathroom, laundry room, and so on.

However, the basement tends to be the worse-hit when it comes to mold growth.

Several reasons can be given for the increased prevalence of mold in the basement.

Such reasons include poor ventilation (due to the insufficient number of vents), a network of HVAC ducts, plumbing issues, as well as suitable growth material (food) such as wood, clothing, and furniture.

Exterior flooding is another situation that can lead to mold growth in the basement. When one or more of these conditions are present, you’re most likely to have a mold situation in your basement.

You’ll have to do the needful in resolving the problem.

Why Mold Identification is Important

The starting point for any form of intervention by way of treatment requires proper identification. Without identification, there’s no way of knowing what the problem is and how to go about resolving it.

Also, certain mold variants are considered more harmful than others.

As such, it’s necessary to understand how dangerous the mold situation is. This allows for better handling of the situation.

Having stated the reasons for basement mold identification, let’s get into the basics of our discussion; that is, pointing out key characteristics of basement mold.

So what does mold smell like in walls?

What Does Black Mold Smell Like?

Does mold have a smell?

 

The Type of Mold is Vital to its Identification

What does mold look like on basement walls?

Not all mold types have a similar appearance.

This is seen in the variances in color. What more? Certain mold types are more common in specific areas of the home than others.

For instance, you might discover certain mold types are more common around basement areas than kitchen or any other location.

To have a detailed look at the topic, let’s mention some common mold types and how to identify them. These include Aspergillus, Aureobasidium, Cladosporium, Alternaria, Penicillium, Stachybotrys chartarum, and Trichoderma.

Others include Chaetomium, Acremonium, Mucormycetes, and Stachybotrys, etc. These mold types are only a drop in the bucket as there are lots more (as many as 100,000 mold strains).

With this said, let’s take a look at ways to identify each of those mentioned.

• Aspergillus

Like many mold strains, the aspergillus variant is common in homes. It’s easily identified by its powdery look with white or gray coloration having dark spots.

As expected, this mold type is found in basements as well as in fabrics and attics. Aspergillus will also readily grow on dry food items.

• Aureobasidium

Another mold type you could find in your basement is the aureobasidium. This mold is recognized by its pink coloration that comes with black spots.

You can spot this mold on wood, grout, and caulking.

• Cladosporium

The cladosporium mold is another basement mold type known for its color variations. In other words, this species of mold can appear black, brown, or green.

They can be found in cool and warm locations of your home including the basement.

• Alternaria

Another type of mold you might come across in your basement is the Alternaria.

These are quite common in kitchens, bathrooms, air conditioners, and near windows.

To know what you’re dealing with, you only need to look at their appearance. Alternaria molds appear white with black spots.

• Penicillium

The penicillium mold variant takes different colorations. Penicillium mold might appear yellow, blue, or green.

Aside from being found in the basement area, another preferred habitat for the Penicillium mold is underneath carpets as well as in insulation.

These mostly prefer areas with abundant moisture.

• Stachybotrys chartarum

To identify the Stachybotrys chartarum, you’ll have to look at its color. This mold variant has a greenish-black appearance.

To further confirm its presence, all you have to do is look at where it’s found. Stachybotrys chartarum molds have a preference for cellulose-rich materials.

As such, you’re likely to find them on wood, paper, and boards.

• Trichoderma

The Trichoderma mold looks creamy-white in appearance.

However, this coloration changes to green when spores are released. You might find this in your basement or other areas like kitchens, and bathrooms.

• Chaetomium

This mold variant is allergenic and prefers areas with excess moisture and darkness such as basements. At the early stage of growth, chaetomium mold colonies appear white like cotton.

Upon maturity, these mold variants eventually turn olive or grey.

• Acremonium

You might come across the acremonium mold variant in your basement. One way to identify these is from their multiple colorations.

Acremonium molds appear grey, white, or pink in coloration.

They cause a variety of conditions ranging from pneumonia, eye irritation, and respiratory problems.

• Mucormycetes

These also go by the name filamentous molds due to their grayish or white puffs with extended hairs. Like some mold variants, the appearance steadily changes from white or grey to a deeper grey.

Fungal infections caused by spores cause irritations to the eyes and nose etc.

These are some of the most common basement molds you might come across.

We’ve provided vital information on how to identify them as well as keep them at bay.