Common Types of Mold Found in Homes

If you’ve recently experienced water damage in your home, there’s a chance there could be mold lurking. Mold loves to grow in dark, damp environments such as behind furniture or appliances, under flooring, or even in the walls of your home. Here are some of the most common types of molds found in homes.

White Mold

“White mold” can be tricky because it is used to describe the beginning stages of many species of mold. Although there are some molds that remain white once they grow spores, others will start to change colors as the spores are produced. In general, white mold will appear as a powdery or filmy substance on a surface. Common food sources of white mold include wood, drywall, carpeting, and other organic materials.

Green Mold

Chances are you’ve seen green mold growing on fruits, bread, or other food you’ve left in the back of the refrigerator for too long. Unfortunately, it can also grow in wet areas of your home. This type of mold will appear soft and fuzzy and comes in many shades of green. The most common types of green mold include Cladosporium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium. Although green is a common hue for these molds, they can also be found in blue and black.

Orange Mold

Orange mold is most commonly found outside on decaying organic matter like fallen trees or leaf piles. However, it can still be found indoors. If you have hard water, meaning your water has a high dissolved mineral content, then you may be prone to orange mold. It can grow in your shower or even in your toilet bowl where there can be a lot of bacteria.

Black Mold

The most infamous of all the molds, black mold is highly feared by any homeowner. Because of its toxic nature, black mold can cause allergic reactions and health problems in those who have been exposed to it. Depending on the length of exposure, you can expect to experience anything from fatigue and headaches to fevers and rashes. Like other molds, black mold is most likely to grow where it is warm and humid. This often means it can be found in your home’s basement or crawlspace. These are also the most common locations of leaks or other sources of moisture in your home.

Do you suspect you’ve been exposed to any of these types of mold in your home, or have recently had water damage? Your next step is simple. Call in the professionals. They’ll be able to assess the situation and get your home back to being a safe place for you and your family. If you have water damage or need mold removal, contact Thomas’ Carpet Cleaning and Restoration Service today!