Are All Molds the Same?

Mold can be found in a multitude of locations and has been a problem for centuries.  In recent years, mold has developed into more of a problem. Not because it’s become more widespread, but instead because knowledge and awareness about it has increased. Mold growing in your home is never a good thing, as it will perform the same function here that it performs in nature (breaking down anything it senses is decaying). Don’t let your home fall into this unfortunate category!

Categorizing mold

The most common categories of mold are:

• Allergenic molds—They contain allergens, which can cause allergies in humans.
• Pathogenic molds—They can cause severe health problems in people who are undergoing chemo, people who have HIV, and those with weakened immune system.
• Toxic molds—They produce harmful toxins.  They are very rare and are known to cause grave health problems, including death in rare circumstances.  The two main types are stachybotrys and memnoniella.

Mold in Your House

Many different types of mold can be found in homes, and different health problems accompany each one.  While many different kinds can be found, we’ll just focus on a few of the most common types here:

• Cladosporium—Although more commonly found outdoors, it can thrive in any damp, dark environment (your toilet is a common breeding ground). Because it’s an airborne mold, it can be very difficult to eliminate completely. Surfaces where it’s found should be scrubbed vigorously with bleach and wiped dry. One thing to remember though. Bleach will not kill the seed if it is growing on a porous surface.
• Penicillium—This is commonly found growing on our food (it’s that little fuzzy green, white or blue fuzz). It’s another airborne mold and can be difficult to eliminate. To prevent it from becoming a problem in your home, be vigilant in throwing away food at the first sign that it’s beginning to spoil.
• Aspergillus—It’s one of the most common molds in the world; it’s also one of the most dangerous. This fast-growing mold often appears after a basement flood or large plumbing leak but can also form anywhere there’s extremely high humidity and organic matter for it to use as a food source. It should be cleaned up with bleach and proper safety precautions such as gloves, a mask and potentially even eye protection. Like we mentioned before, bleach will not kill the seed. Also, the EPA states that if the area where mold is found is larger than 10 square feet, someone trained in mold remediation should do the cleaning.
• Alternaria—Although more commonly found outside, it’s an airborne mold that can easily find its way into your home. It often settles in carpets, clothing and on flat surfaces. It needs far less water than other molds to grow, making it possible for it to grow in more areas. It can be found in the same areas as aspergillus and can be removed in much the same way as well.

Mold is all around us. It plays a vital role in our ecosystem; however, it can play an equally detrimental role in our homes. For this reason, it’s important to be aware of the areas in our homes to which mold gravitates in an attempt to better prepare us to treat and remove it.

When mold is discovered, decisive action must be taken immediately. Call the professionals at Choice Property Restoration. Our technicians can inspect your problem areas, determine the extent of your mold issue(s), the type of mold you’re dealing with and what’s causing the mold problem in the first place.  We’re always here to help!