What Kind of Mold is That?

flood damage minneapolisMold comes in every color of the rainbow, every shape, and even every size you can possibly imagine. While there are truly hundreds of types of mold, just a small selection are commonly found in homes. It’s also true that some mold is more dangerous than others, and some produce more ill effects for people who are mold-sensitive than others.

Here are the most common types of mold crews at 24Restore see in the St. Paul area.

Stachybotrys

You likely know this as “black mold” or “toxic mold.” It earned the nickname “black mold” for its slimy black appearance. It should be noted, however, that the mold itself is not toxic; the compounds it produces, called mycotoxins, are what can make some people sick. While not everyone will experience ill effects from exposure to Stachybotrys, some may have true allergic reactions with symptoms like breathing problems, chronic sinus infections, fatigue, asthma attacks and more.

It typically grows on high-cellulose material like paper, cardboard, wood, or wicker. To grow, black mold needs an exceptionally wet or damp environment for days or weeks on end. Prime areas for growth include areas where there is a lot of condensation, like air conditioning ducts, or a leaky pipe.

This type of mold is also characterized by that musty, damp odor.

Cladosporium

Believe it or not, there are more than 30 species of this type of mold. They are the ones with a “C.” before the second name … like C. elatum and C. cladosporioides. This type of mold is known to cause worsening asthma symptoms, sinusitis, nail fungus and even skin lesions.

Cladosporium spores grow best in warmer climates but are certainly present in cooler areas too. The spores prefer to call fabrics, carpets, wood floors and cabinets home.

Penicillium

This is the kind of mold you find on a rotten sandwich – and you can also find it on walls within homes. Penicillin is found in food, grains, paint, carpet, wallpaper, soil, and fiberglass duct insulation. Oh and on those rotten tomatoes at the back of your fridge.

Within a home, this type of mold is most commonly found growing on water-damage materials like wallpaper, furniture, or carpeting. It can spread quickly from one part of the house to another and appears bluish greenish in color.

Acremonium

The type of toxins produced by Acremonium have the ability to damage a human’s immune system, organs, bone marrow, and even mental abilities. Nearly all the varieties of this type of mold have a terrible smell and are a known carcinogen.

Mucor

We typically find this kind of mold near air conditioning systems and within duct work. Just like some of the other mold we have talked about, Mucor spores can spread quickly and grow at lightning speed. It is gray and white in color, and areas of growth tend to be thick.

Don’t Worry!

The goal of this blog isn’t to freak you out about the color of something growing on a wall inside your home. Mold is totally removable and our restoration experts can do tests before and after to make sure your home is mold-free by the time our crews leave and the job is done. If you think there is some mold growth in your home, give 24Restore a call. We can test it out to give you peace of mind that it is nothing – or get it quickly removed for you before the problem spreads.

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