Different Types of Mold You Can Find in Your House

Molds are potentially dangerous and toxic fungal species that can grow inside of your home under certain conditions. The reasons for mold growth can be different but once you’ve got it, it’s important to be able to know if it’s dangerous or not. Certain mold species can cause health issues and significant house damage. A common time of year when homeowners notice mold is during the annual spring cleaning. Whenever you do, it’s preferable to deal with it while it is small or at least try to stop it from spreading.

There are three types of mold: allergenic, pathogenic, and toxigenic. Identifying mold types can be tricky, so don’t rush into trying to clean it out before figuring out if it’s dangerous. To know for certain whether it’s mold or not, you can call a home inspector and have your house checked. It wouldn’t hurt to ask the inspector to check your house for asbestos as well.

All molds have a specific description, color, and a recommended method of dealing with them.  Certain ones can be removed without any help, but you have to be ready to call the mold removal professionals because they could be harmful to your health. 

Penicillin 

Penicillin Can be Either Green or Blue Colored

The evil irony of penicillins is that their components are used as antibiotics to save lives. But if this fungus is growing in water-damaged buildings, it can spread quickly and cause respiratory conditions. It’s an allergenic mold form that can be found in carpets, wallpapers, and sometimes even mattresses. The spores of the mold can easily become airborne and spread through the house, causing health issues for all the family members. If you’re exposed to penicillin long enough, it can lead to chronic diseases.

To prevent penicillin from appearing in your house, try to stay on top of water damage and leaks. But if it makes its way inside, you can recognize penicillin from its fuzzy texture and blue or green color. If the mold is relatively small, try removing it with a mold control spray. You may want to be very thorough otherwise the fungus will continue spreading. If the penicillin has gotten quite large, it’s better to call a specialist. In the case of molds, that would be a mold assessor.  

Alternaria 

The Alternaria Mold Can Cause Allergies

Alternaria is one of those types of mold that definitely shouldn’t be ignored. It typically grows outdoors, but if it finds its way inside the house, it can spread over tiles, plywood, and drywall. Like most types of mold found in homes, Alternaria grows in damp, dark places.

This pathogen can cause health issues — mainly a variation of allergies. A healthy person might not get infected, but someone with a weaker immune system can be a bigger target. The first step you need to take to stop the spread of Alternaria is identifying and drying the damp areas in your home. The next step involves removing the existing mold with a non-toxic fungicide removal spray. Since alternaria usually comes into the house from the outdoors, try to keep the doors and windows closed while you’re dealing with a mold issue. 

Fusarium 

Fusarium is a Toxic Black Mold on The Ceiling

The Fusarium fungus can grow after water damage. It can appear as a toxic black mold on the ceiling. Any toxic black mold poses a health hazard.  And if you don’t eliminate this one really quickly, it could potentially eat away at your household materials and cause some serious damage.

If you decide to remove the mold yourself, beware of the dangers of black mold and proceed with caution. Use an antibacterial cleaning solution and a vacuum with a HEPA filter to remove the mold from surfaces. If you have health issues or respiratory conditions, it’s better to call professional mold removers, since long exposure to the mold can cause symptoms like asthma, sore or itchy throat, watery eyes, and flu-like symptoms. 

Acremonium

Acremonium is a Toxic Mold You Don’t Want to Befriend

It may seem like there are no friendly molds, and acremonium isn’t going to change that impression. It too is toxic and is known to be orange, but it could also be pink, white, or grey. It starts out as a small mold, but eventually grows and changes into a powdery substance. It usually grows in damp places such as cooling coils, humidifiers, or window sealants.

Exposure to acremonium is highly dangerous and can cause some serious health issues. It is not recommended to deal with it on your own. As soon as the mold is spotted, consider calling your trusty mold assessors to have it removed from your house. 

Ulocladium

Ulocladium is a Black Mold That Thrives in Wet Places

Ulocladium is basically a black bathroom mold. While it can appear on any surface after water damage,  it usually thrives in damp places like the bathroom, basement, and sometimes even the kitchen. Unfortunately, it is one of the most common types of mold in homes that can spread really fast. Ulocladiaum can lead to serious health concerns, such as asthma-like symptoms, fever, and skin infections.

Ulocladiaum can be easily confused with other types of black mold in the house, so calling a professional is never a bad idea. It is a potential health hazard, so it is better to be cautious. 

Aureobasidium

Aureobasidium May Cause Eye Infections or Dermatitis

Aureobasidium is a mold that can often be found on walls. It is usually spotted on wooden surfaces or behind wallpaper. It can be brown, pink, or black; but it usually turns into a darker brown color as it grows and develops. Aureobasidium is a toxic mold that you should not touch with your bare hands as it can lead to dermatitis (a skin rash) or cause eye infections. If you’re wondering whether to handle the issue yourself, don't. It is; best to call a professional.  

Trichoderma

Trichoderma Could be Dangerous For Buildings

Trichoderma thrives on surfaces such as wallpaper, carpets, as well as damp areas. You could also find it in your AC filters or heating/ventilating systems. It’s usually white in color with green patches and highly dangerous for the structures it invades as its components can destroy wood and paper. This type of mold should be dealt with by professionals. Trichoderma is also quite toxic for your health — too much exposure can cause liver infections. 

Mucor

Mucor Causes Respiratory Issues

Mucor is an allergenic mold. It usually grows near ACs and heating systems, spreading due to the moisture from the condensation. It typically grows quite fast and in thick patches. You can recognize it by its white or grey color.

Surprise! Mucor, too, poses a high degree of danger to your health — mainly targeting your respiratory system. If you have asthma, mucor might make it worse. It could also cause damage to your lungs and even your brain. It is better to remove mucor with professional help since exposure to it might also cause eye infections.

Cladosporium 

Cladosporium Spreads in Carpets, Floorboards, and Cupboards

Cladosporium is a unique type of mold as it can grow in both cold and warm conditions. It typically leads to allergic reactions in the eyes, nose, and throat. Exposure can also cause a skin rash, lung infections, and even asthma. While Cladosporium is not considered toxic, continued exposure to it can cause lung irradiation and therefore it’s not recommended to remove it on your own. Cladosporium could be either brown or olive in color, and it usually spreads in carpets, under floorboards, and inside cupboards.