Common Indoor Molds and How to Tell Them Apart

3/31/2022 (Permalink)

Mold spores may be everywhere, but that doesn’t mean you want them growing in your Detroit, MI, business. Along with black mold, this fungus comes in an array of colors and textures, as well as toxicity levels. Before diving into mold cleanup, it is good to have some knowledge on the common types of mold and what they look like.

Common Molds

While there are more than 100,000 types of mold, including edible mushrooms, not all of them are able to thrive indoors. Below are four of the most common molds that may be lurking in your building.

Alternaria: It is often olive green or brown and gray. This velvety fungus finds its way in from the outdoors. There are more than 40 species of this variety.

Aspergillus: Although it may come in different colors, it is often black with white or yellow underneath. Its long spores make it easy to form thick layers on surfaces.

Cladosporium: Able to grow in warm and cool conditions, it is velvety and typically green or brown. It often starts as small spots that come together to create large patches.

Stachybotrys: Frequently called black mold, this greenish-black variety has a slimy texture and thrives on paper, dust and lint. It often makes an appearance after a flood or when humidity levels are very high.

Call the Experts

When you first see mold, it's best to call in a mold remediation and restoration company to properly remove the problem. Along with having the right tools, they will have extensive knowledge of the different types of molds and how to remove them. Unfortunately, mold is often detected via smell rather than sight. When that happens, an indoor environmental professional can conduct a test to determine the type and extent of the hidden problem.
While black mold may be the most talked about, many varieties can flourish indoors. Regardless of the type, quickly addressing the problem is important.