What Are the Most Common Types of Mold?
Many types of household or indoor molds accumulate in buildings. To grow, mold requires areas with lots of moisture, such as areas around roofs, windows, pipes, or flooding/leaking areas. In addition, mold can grow on paper products such as wood, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and more. If you suspect mold in your home, it’s important to move promptly towards removal. It is also common that many people do not realize there is mold around them.
In this article, we’ll explore the most common types of mold found in buildings and what to do about them.
Categories of Mold
Molds can be categorized into one of three categories. The first category are known as allergenic molds. While they’re not necessarily toxic, they can produce lots of unwanted and uncomfortable respiratory symptoms. This includes things like asthma or other breathing difficulties.
Another category of mold are pathogenic molds. These types of molds can cause and trigger illnesses, especially in those with already weakened immune systems. Lastly, toxigenic types of mold are the worst kind. These types of molds are toxic for human exposure and need to be removed as soon as possible.
Dangers of Mold in the Home
If you suspect mold in your home, don’t panic. You’re not alone. Many homes experience mold growth. Mold may cause no symptoms for people living in the home, however, it may cause serious symptoms in certain people. For example, mold can cause nasal irritation, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing. Other asthma-like symptoms such as shortness of breath may occur. Other chronic conditions may be triggered by long-term exposure to toxic molds.
Types of Mold
Mold can appear in various species (you may have multiple!) throughout the home. However, below are the most commonly seen types of mold in homes.
Chaetomium
This type of mold is commonly found in homes with water damage. It begins as a white fuzzy growth, which can later become darker. This falls under the allergic-type molds, producing allergic symptoms for many people.
Stachybotrys
Also known as black mold, this type of mold is dangerous. It is undet the toxic category of commonly found molds. Sometimes, this type of mold is found in indoor ventilation systems or in areas with too much moisture.
Trichoderma
Tichoderma is a toxic mold found in areas with damp soil. It’s one of the most prevalent household molds. While it can grow anywhere throughout a home, it’s most often found in areas of wet organic matter.
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Alternaria
This type of mold is commonly seen in bathrooms, specifically around windows. It’s an allergic type of mold that triggers asthma symptoms in many people. For people with compromised immune systems, Alternaria can trigger some serious unwanted health effects. Visibly, this type of mold may look like brown or green hairs.
Acremonium
Another type of dangerous household mold (toxigenic) is known Acremonium. This mold begins as small, moist mold but later turns into a powder that can be white or pink. Usually, this is found in home air systems like humidifiers. This type of mold can cause dangerous side effects with prolonged exposure.
Aspergillus
While this is an allergic type of mold, it can also be toxic in certain species. Aspergillus creates thick layers of mold in the home. While the risk is minor, this type of mold can cause the production of carniogens known as afloxtoxins (in certain species).
Ulocladium
Ulocladium is a black mold that is frequently found in homes. Usually, it’s seen in areas of water damage or high condensation. This includes areas of the home such as the basement, bathrooms, kitchens, or by windows. With exposure to this mold, some people may develop hay fever, skin infections, trouble breathing, and other unwanted symptoms.
Mold Removal Companies
Suspect mold in your home? Contact us today at We Dry USA. Our highly-trained technicians are experts at identifying and remediating all of the most common types of household molds. In addition, our experts can help you understand the important ways to identify mold in your home for the future and help to keep mold from occurring in the first place.
Mold removal companies such as We Dry USA help you safely remove the dangerous mold from your home, leaving your home in clean and safe condition. It is important that you promptly call a professional to remove mold spores from your home and keep your health in prime condition! Improper removal of mold may cause spores to spread or worsen, leaving your health and home in worsened condition.
