Different Types of Mold Found in Homes: How it Grows and Spreads
Did you know there could be up to 12 different types of mold growing in your home? Here’s some of the most common you can find and how it grows and spreads…
Noticing fuzzy spores growing on your walls or furniture. Don’t let it spread! Mold is a form of fungus that can grow inside your home.
When the mold produces spores, it can float around your home and grow in every room. There are over 300,000 different types of mold—and counting.
Instead of leaving your home vulnerable to mold, learn more about it!
Here are the 12 most common types of mold and how it grows. By learning how to identify mold in your home, you can call for professional help before it spreads.
Keep reading to learn all about the different kinds of mold.
1. Acremonium
Acremonium is toxigenic. Over time, the appearance of this mold can change and evolve.
At first, acremonium appears as a soft, moist mold. Then, it turns into a fine, powdery substance. The mold can appear white, orange, grey, or pink in color.
Acremonium usually grows around household systems, including:
- Cooling coils
- Drain pains
- Window sealants
- Humidifiers
Exposure to acremonium is dangerous. You might develop a bone marrow or immune system disease.
Acremonium is also a carcinogen, meaning it can impair brain function.
Acremonium sometimes grows with other types of mold, such as Stachybotrys. Together, these mold types can create an unpleasant smell and dangerous mold problem within your home.
2. Alternaria
Alternaria is the most common form of allergenic mold found worldwide.
This mold appears in a velvety texture with dark green or brown hairs. You’re most likely to find this type of mold in damp areas throughout your home, including:
- Basements
- Showers
- Bathtubs
- Below leaky sinks
You might also develop this type of mold if your home sustains water damage.
Since alternaria is an allergenic mold, it can sometimes cause asthma-like symptoms. Alternaria sometimes affects the nose, mouth, and upper respiratory tract.
This mold spreads quickly. With that in mind, it’s important to call in a professional to take care of the alternaria in your home before it spreads.
3. Aspergillus
Like alternaria, aspergillus is commonly found in American households. These different types of mold are both allergenic.
Aspergillus forms in long, flask-shaped spores. These spores often form thick layers or walls of mold, which then creates long chains of mold across any surface.
There are over 185 species of aspergillus mold, each appearing in different colors.
Aspergillus is capable of becoming more toxic depending on the specific species. It’s toxicity also differs based on the environment.
Exposure can lead to lung infections, asthma attacks, and respiratory inflammation. Aspergillus is also capable of forming aflatoxins, which are a deadly carcinogen.
4. Aureobasidium
Like the two types of mold mentioned above, aureobasidium is also allergenic. This mold is often found growing behind wallpaper, on painted surfaces, or on wooden surfaces.
You might notice aureobasidium mold based on its pink, brown, or black color. Over time, the aureobasidium mold will become a darker brown hue.
This type of mold can cause eye, skin, and nail infections. It can also cause dermatitis. Make sure to never touch the mold with bare skin.
5. Chaetomium
Chaetomium mold is found in water-damaged homes. This mold appears in a cotton-like texture. It often changes from white to grey, then brown to black over time.
You might find chaetomium mold in a damp or leaky roof, basement, or sink. It’s often recognizable by its musty odor.
Controlling the moisture throughout your home is a key method for avoiding mold growth. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises a humidity level below 60% in your home.
Chaetomium can cause skin and nail infections.
6. Cladosporium
Another allergenic mold type, cladosporium grows in both warm and cold conditions. It often thrives on fabrics, upholsteries, and carpets. However, it can also appear under floorboards and inside cupboards.
Cladosporium usually appears in an olive-green or brown color with a suede-like texture.
Cladosporium can cause skin rashes, lesions, asthma, lung infections, and sinusitis.
7. Fusarium
Fusarium is another mold that can grow and spread in the cold. It’s often found in homes with water damage. Check your carpeting, wallpaper, or other fabrics for this pink, white, or reddish mold.
Fusarium can cause skin infections, sore throat, running nose, sneezing, itching, and dermatitis. Prolonged exposure can cause bone infections and brain abscess.
8. Mucor
Mucor is an allergenic mold that grows in thick white or grey patches. It usually grows near HVAC systems and ducting. An old, damp carpet can also grow mucor spores.
Mucor can cause asthma, difficulty breathing, or flu-like symptoms.
A professional residential mold inspection can help you remove the mold before it spreads.
9. Penicillin
Penicillin is an allergenic form of mold. It’s recognizable based on its blue or green velvety texture. Like many different types of mold, penicillin is often found near water damage.
You can find penicillin in your carpets, wallpaper, ducting, and even your mattresses. This type of mold spreads quickly from one area to the next. Once airborne, the spores can spread to different rooms.
Exposure can cause asthma and pulmonary inflammation.
Make sure to remedy any leaks or water damage as soon as possible to keep this mold from spreading.
10. Stachybotrys
Known as “black mold,” stachybotrys thrives in damp areas with high humidity levels. This mold often appears dark green or black in color. It also has a slimy texture.
This mold grows on wood, cardboard, paper, and wicker textures.
Stachybotrys is capable of producing mycotoxins, which can cause health problems. These conditions include difficulty breathing, sinusitis, fatigue, and depression. Exposure might also cause you to experience nose bleeds, chest pains, and headaches.
Stachybotrys is linked to neurological problems in children. It’s important to get these different types of molds removed as quickly as possible.
11. Trichoderma
Trichoderma is another allergenic mold. It usually appears white with green patches. This mold grows rapidly on wet surfaces, including wallpaper, carpet, and damp fabrics.
Trichoderma can cause pulmonary and hepatic infections.
12. Ulocladium
Ulocladium thrives in wet conditions. This mold usually appears black in color. You can find it in bathrooms, basements, and kitchens.
This type of mold can cause skin infections, difficulty breathing, and asthma-like symptoms.
Don’t Let It Spread: 12 Types of Mold to Keep an Eye Out For
Don’t let these different types of mold spread throughout your home. Instead, locate the mold immediately.
Once you find the mold, call for a mold inspector as soon as possible. Don’t try to handle the mold on your own. Instead, trust a mold remediation expert to get the job done safely for you.
Request an inspection today to get started!