Common Mold Spores
Do you have mold spores in your home? Are you certain? Mold spores can be a common yet dreaded feature in our homes. They usually require sufficient moisture and a food source to grow and thrive and can also be referred to as mildew. While it can be stressful to have a mold spores growth in your home, it might not always need to cause concern. This blog will outline the most common mold spores found in homes.
Before we begin the blog, it’s essential to highlight the three categories that mold falls into:
- Allergenic – the mold isn’t toxic but can trigger allergic reactions like asthma.
- Pathogenic – the mold can trigger illnesses in immune-deficient people.
- Toxigenic – the mold is dangerous, creates its own toxins, and is sometimes lethal.
Chaetomium
This allergenic mold type is typically present in water-damaged homes. It is the most common mold type to grow in homes that have suffered flooding or a large water leak. It often starts as a white fuzzy growth but can darken over time.
Stachybotrys
Stachybotrys, or black mold, is a toxigenic mold. This mold sometimes appears indoors and is associated with poor indoor air quality that typically stems from too much moisture. This mold is hazardous, and you should call a licensed specialist to remove it safely.
Penicillium
This mold is world-famous, but you do not want it growing in your home. It’s allergenic and grows in any place with moisture. It’s known for creating antibiotics. This mold is bluish-green and is smooth in texture.
Trichoderma
This common mold is toxigenic and is present in damp soil. It’s one of the most prevalent house molds. It can grow anywhere in the home where both organic matter and sufficient moisture are present.
Ulocladium
Ulocladium is an allergenic mold that you will find in places like carpets, bathrooms, or drywall. It’s common in typically wet areas, so keep a lookout in showers, bathtubs, windows, and even dishwashers. This mold is black in color, so it’s often confused with black mold. While this mold is not as dangerous, it’s still best to act with concern and necessity.
Mucor
Mucor is an allergenic mold that is fast-growing and white or gray in color. This mold grows quickly at either room temperature or warmer and can grow to over an inch thick. It’s recognizable due to its vertical growth with small heads forming- like sewing pins.
Aspergillus
Aspergillus is a pathogenic mold that you will find in the air, HVAC systems, and water-damaged buildings. It’s primarily non-toxic but can trigger reactions like asthma attacks and lung infections.
Alternaria
Alternaria is an allergenic mold that is common in bathrooms and damp windows. You may notice this mold in the bathroom, shower, or along the bottom of windows where condensation develops. It is the most common type of allergenic mold.
Many types of mold can grow in your home. Some are not dangerous but grow where there is moisture present. Others are highly toxic, and you should have them removed safely and professionally. If you have any mold in your home, it is best to call a specialist to help remove it. If you have any mold-related questions, get in touch with Allied Restoration today.
Allied Restoration is an IICRC (Institute Of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification), Certified Firm. Our Senior Project Manager, Wilma Fogler, was the first person in the State of Maryland to achieve the IICRC Master Water Restorer Certification. Allied is Licensed, Bonded, Insured, and a member in good standing with the Better Business Bureau. 