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Mold & Moisture

DIFFERENT TYPES OF MOLD FOUND INSIDE THE HOME

Knowing how to identify different types of mold and understanding their health effects is very useful information. Some molds are fairly safe, while others can be harmful for your property or even toxic to humans.

Mold cleaning doesn't have to be a daunting task if you know the type of mold growing in your home and what it entails; knowing these things also helps prevent future growths from occurring as well!

In this article, we’ll go through 12 of the most common varieties of mold found inside a property, how to spot them ,and their potential harmful effects on human beings .
If you have mold in your home, it's important to get it professionally removed as soon as possible by a trained and certified specialist. Even if the effects aren't noticeable right away, exposure can build up or worsen symptoms over time.
Learn more about mold with our Ultimate Guide To Mold Removal & Prevention.

Classifications Of Mold

There are 3 classifications of mold that affect the healthiness of humans.

Allergenic Molds

Allergenic molds cause mild to severe health symptoms such as irritation of the nose, eyes, throat skin and even asthma attacks. In small amounts most people without allergies are unaffected; however individuals with existing conditions like asthma or other types of allergies may experience negative reactions in their body when exposed to these organisms.

Pathogenic Molds

Pathogenic molds are dangerous for people with weakened immune systems, such as infants or the elderly. These molds can cause a range of infections or other diseases that may be life-threatening and should not be taken lightly if encountered by anyone at any time during their lifetime.

Toxigenic Molds

Toxigenic molds are the most dangerous as they produce poisonous mycotoxins, which can inflict severe short and long-term damages to our lungs, organs, and brain. This is what's referred to as "toxic mold".

Different Types Of Mold Found In The Home

Acremonium

Acremonium Mold
When inhaled, Acremonium can cause serious health problems with the immune system, bone marrow and brain function. It is most commonly found in areas of high humidity such as inside your HVAC systems or around window sills that have recently experienced flooding.

Acremonium appears in a variety of colors from white to pink depending on where you are finding it but orange tends to be one color associated with this mold type so if someone sees an acremonium growing somewhere they should probably get out ASAP because its not good for them!

Alternaria

Alternaria Mold
Mold spores can become a serious problem for your health. For example, Alternaria is the most common type of allergenic mold found in homes and appears as dark green or brown spots with fuzzy textures. It grows where there's high moisture such as showers, leaky faucets, bathtubs etc., which makes it difficult to eradicate without professional help from an experienced mold remediation technician. 

Aspergillus

Aspergillus Mold
Aspergillus is a common mold that can appear in various colors. It's most commonly seen with browns, greens and yellows but other variations exist as well.
Different species of Aspergillus can cause a wide variety of health problems from asthma symptoms to lung infections and respiratory inflammation.
You might find aspergillus in areas that are wet, like drains and HVAC systems. These places have high humidity levels just like rotting leaves, soil and wood do which is why you'll often see it there too.

Aureobasidium

Aureobasidium Mold
Aureobasidium is a colorless mold that grows on wallpaper, wood and snail shells. Touching this fungus typically results in an infection or skin rash- dermatitis. It can appear pinkish at first but turns dark brown as it ages.

Aureobasidium is commonly found behind wallpaper where there are moist conditions from water damage or leaks. Avoid touching the fungi with bare hands to prevent any infections!

Chaetomium

Chaetomium Mold
Chaetomium, a fungus with the characteristics of white to black fuzzy cotton-like texture and strong musty odor is commonly found in areas recently damaged by water.
Look for this allergenic or pathogenic fungal infection in drywall, leaky roofs, basements as well as plumbing that could pose health effects such skin irritation and problems among those who are compromised immune systems.

Cladosporium

Cladosporium Mold
The common mold Cladosporium is not only found in hot and cold climates, but also on fabrics, carpets, and furniture. It appears as a dark olive green or brown with a velvety furry texture.
When this type of mold grows it can cause allergy symptoms such as runny nose, sore throat; irritation to eyes; skin rash & breathing problems that can be severe if left untreated for long periods of time

Fusarium

Fusarium Mold
Fusarium is an allergenic, toxic mold that grows in cold and warm climates. It causes skin rashes, irritated eyes, nose and throat as well as nervous system damage and bone infections.

Fusarium is both allergenic (causes allergies)and toxigenic (produces toxins).It appears dark pink or red when growing so it’s easy to spot before harvesting your crops which will help avoid exposure. This fungal growth can be found everywhere from the soil of plants grown indoors to water-damaged buildings where spores are present in dust samples collected on surfaces floor mats etc..
Symptoms include: fever, fatigue, weight loss, insomnia, depression, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal, pain, nose bleeds, bleeding gums, & sore muscles.

Mucor

Mucor Mold
Mucor is one of the more dangerous allergenic species which can produce mild to severe health problems, especially respiratory. Those with existing asthma are particularly vulnerable and can experience flu-like symptoms in rare cases resulting in a fungal infection that damages their lungs, sinuses, brain or gets into bloodstream causing long term consequences.
Mucor is a dangerous fungus that can be found in damp carpets, wallpaper, drywall and near HVAC systems. You must never touch or inhale its spores as this may cause serious health concerns.

Penicillium

Penicillium Mold
Penicillium is known for its characteristic blue or green surface and fuzzy texture. Not only has penicillin been used to treat many diseases, it was also the first antibiotic discovered by man that effectively treats bacterial infections. However, inhaling this fungus in a home environment can be dangerous as exposure may cause asthma symptoms including pulmonary inflammation and chronic sinusitis.
Mold is caused by moist and damp conditions, particularly around leaking pipes. You can find it inside insulation, furniture and water-damaged carpet as well.

Stachybotrys

Stachybotrys Mold
The dangerous black mold, Stachybotrys chartarum, is known to cause both toxic and allergic reactions. It's especially harmful for those with weakened immune systems because it has a musty smell and appears dark green or black in color.
Black mold is commonly found in homes and thrives on materials with a high cellulose content. However, it can also be found outside of the home in damp conditions such as around leaks or other water sources including air conditioning units that aren't properly maintained.
This variety is dangerous as it releases mycotoxins, toxic compounds that cause mild to severe reactions in humans, pets and plants.
Black mold symptoms can range from infections, fatigue, and asthma to serious life-threatening lung diseases. Even exposure to stachybotrys is fatal for pets and infants. One of the problems with black mold detection is that it often grows behind walls under floorboards or ceilings; making it hard to spot without a professional who knows what they are looking for.

 Trichoderma

Trichoderma Mold
Trichoderma, a white or green fungus with bumps like wool but spread out at first. Trichodermas can be harmless and not dangerous to humans unlike other types of tricho's that release mycotoxins similar to Stachybotrys (black mold).

There are 5 different species of Trichoderma, some non-pathogenic and fairly innocuous, while others releasing dangerous toxins possibly harmful to human health in the same way black mold is.
The Trichoderma fungus is not only deadly to humans and animals, but it also causes widespread property damage because this enzyme can eat away organic materials like wood, wallpaper, and fabrics.

Ulocladium

Ulocladium Mold
Allergenic mold types like Ulocladium thrive in areas with high levels of humidity, such as bathrooms, kitchens and around window sills. These harmful molds are typically black or dark green-grey in color and usually appear alongside other damaging fungi including Stachybotrys and Fusarium.
Common symptoms of exposure to Urocladium include hay fever and mild or severe allergic reactions. Since it looks similar to other molds, call in professionals for mold testing before removing any suspected Urocladium from your home so you don't accidentally damage the healthy ones along with the infected one.

Stop Mold Before It Grows

Mold requires professional attention. If you spot mold in your home, leave it to a certified mold remediation specialist so they can prevent short and long term health problems for everyone living or working there. 
Mold Removal Winnipeg can help protect your home and family from dangerous mold varieties.