What Does Mold Look Like in Your Home & How To Remove It?
Would you recognize mold if you saw it? What does mold look like, anyway? We show you where to look and how to identify mold in your home.
Unfortunately, mold in your home or outside your home is more common than you’d think. And it’s not just the little green dots you think of when mold comes to mind. There are as many types of mold as there are surfaces that it likes to grow on. Some are more common than others, and some are more harmful than others.
To answer the question, you need to know what kind of strain you’re looking at. You can do that by reading the descriptions of mold types below.
Common Types of Mold
What does mold look like? Well as you can assume, it doesn’t all look the same. There are different types of mold commonly found in households and buildings all across the United States.
Learn about the most common types of mold below:
1. Alternaria
When it comes to indoor and outdoor mold, Alternaria is one of the more common types. It appears where there’s moisture present, like in the bathroom or kitchen.
Health-wise it’s not deadly, but it can give you asthma attacks or cause allergic reactions. It looks like small black or brown shaped clouds and can be wiped away.
2. Aureobasidium
This mold is hard to spell but not so hard to find. It’s very, very common, so common that your body is probably already immune to it.
What does it look like? It’s pink and black, but not in a cute way. It’ll show up on paint, wallpaper and around windows. Shower caulk and caulk between tiles are also common places for it to grow.
If you’ve never been exposed to it before or your body reacts, it may lead to an allergic reaction or inflamed lungs.
It’s typically easy to get rid of by using warm water, soap, or bleach to wash it away. If it’s on wood or paint, however, be careful and don’t use anything that will hurt the finish. It is recommended that you never try to remove mold by yourself, but instead call in a professional to assess the situation.
3. Cladosporium
Another hard one to spell…Cladosporium can show up just about anywhere. Warm or cool, it doesn’t matter to this mold spore. It can be found in wood floors, cabinets, couches, and even carpets.
This mold type looks like three-layered circles. The first, innermost point is a deep green/blue color. Then the second ring is a lighter green-blue. Finally, an outside white ring is present on each mold dot. This type of mold grows together in clusters of little circles and appear furry.
Cladosporium can cause more health issues than the previous two types on our list – such as breathing problems.
4. Fusarium
If you live in cold, wet climates – like Seattle or other chilly coasts – you may encounter Fusarium mold. This white mold looks furry, and can sometimes have pink parts. Fusarium likes to grow in carpeted homes and deep-grain fabrics.
Although it’s not deadly, it can cause some inflammation and respiratory infections.
5. Penicillium
Another mold that can actually help people in certain situations is Penicillium, the fungus that the antibiotic penicillin is made from.
However, unlike the helpful antibiotic penicillin, Penicillium can wreak havoc – as it is known to spread like crazy into the deepest corners of houses. We’re talking about in your insulation and through your carpet.
This type of mold is usually either blue or white in color, with a white ring around it that can cover a large area. If you look closely at it, it seems to have small holes or bubbles throughout as texture.
Getting Rid of Mold
Although some mold can be cleaned with detergent and warm water, that is not always the case. Remember: when you try to remove mold, you may actually spread the spores to unaffected areas. That’s why it is important to rely on professional mold removal and remediation companies when dealing with any type of mold.
With that said, if you do decide to try to remove mold yourself (which isn’t recommended), be sure to wear a surgical or cleaning mask. This mask will help keep you from inhaling large amounts of spores when you scrub them off and let them loose.
Also, in order to prevent the mold from reoccurring, be sure to keep the area clean and dry after you have applied soap or bleach and water.
Why Rely on a Professional Mold Removal Company?
Removing mold can be tricky. If you notice the same mold spot coming back time and again, there may be a deeper problem. Relying on a professional mold removal and mold remediation company is the best plan of action when your home is experiencing mold growth.