Nobody ever wants to find mold in their home. Unfortunately, it’s a common problem that homeowners encounter—especially if you’ve recently experienced water damage in Olathe, KS. If your home wasn’t properly dried out, mold can take hold and begin to grow in hidden spaces. There are actually several different kinds of mold that are commonly found in water-damaged homes. Keep reading to learn what they are and how to identify them.
Alternaria
Alternaria mold is characterized by its velvety texture and dark green or brown color. This is the most common type of allergenic mold in the world and is often found in water-damaged carpeting, windows, and basements. You’ll even find it in homes without water damage, in rooms that have naturally high humidity. It’s common in bathrooms, especially around sinks and showers. It spreads fairly quickly once it takes root, so it’s important to deal with alternaria mold as soon as you can.
Aspergillus
You’ll usually recognize aspergillus mold by its long, flake-shaped pores; this can form in thick layers and come in various colors, from white to green, yellow, gray, and even black. There are over 185 different types of this mold, so it can be a bit tricky to identify. Aspergillus has a strong effect on those with weakened immune systems, causing asthma-like symptoms and even lung infections. You’ll often find this mold growing in places where paper, fabric, and wood materials have been exposed to moisture.
Cladosporium
Cladosporium mold has a distinctive powdery texture and can come in gray, green, brown, and black. Its powder-like consistency allows it to become airborne very easily, making it easy to contaminate other areas of your home. It can grow on everything from carpet to wallpaper, and it doesn’t balk at the cold like other molds; this allows it to persist year-round.
Trichoderma
While generally not a serious health hazard, Trichoderma mold contains an enzyme that will actually erode wood, paper, and textiles to the point that these materials can collapse completely. If you spot Trichoderma in your home, you need to get it taken care of quickly to prevent long-term damage to your home’s structure. You can recognize this mold by its wooly-textured clusters in patches of white and green.
Penicillium
This mold is easy to differentiate from other types of mold, thanks to its bright blue or green color. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because this is the mold from which the medicine penicillin is derived—and yes, it’s the mold you commonly associate with moldy food. It doesn’t just grow on food, however, you can also find penicillium in water-damaged carpets, wallpaper, and even mattresses. It can cause congestion, eye irritation, chronic sinus infections, and lung inflammation.
Stachybotrys
The most toxic variety of mold, you’ve probably heard stachybotrys referred to as “black mold.” It thrives in damp, wet areas with a lot of humidity and can even work its way into air conditioning vents. Black mold has severe health effects, including serious respiratory issues, joint pain, headaches, dizziness, and even links to cancer and Alzheimer’s.
If you have water damage or mold growth in your home, please contact our water cleanup company in Olathe, KS, right away. We’ll treat the problem quickly to help protect your home and your family.