People often spot ugly stains on their homes’ walls, floors, or ceilings. These are common to sight and dangerous to a home’s occupants. It is human nature to remove or eliminate something that is not wanted. Nevertheless, learning all the details concerning the problem is necessary for a long-term solution.
Different Categories of Mold
Molds are fungi that spawn thread-like structures, which are commonly called hyphae. They are found in all ecosystems and are required as decomposers as they help dead plants and other organisms decompose. But when they develop in your homes, molds cause destruction.
Molds reproduce by spreading spores through the air. Conditions like humidity, heat, warmth, and moisture feed on mold and help it multiply. Areas in your home that are comparatively concealed and damp provide molds with a breeding ground, making bathrooms, kitchens, and basements the most common places to find molds.
There are three main categories of molds based on their effects on humans and animals:
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Allergenic
Allergenic molds spread allergies and are not usually lethal. However, they might cause severe asthma and other issues for allergy-sensitive individuals.
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Pathogenic
Pathogenic molds affect individuals with a compromised immune system. These include sinusitis, severe lung diseases, and related diseases.
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Toxigenic
The most dangerous category of mold is toxigenic mold. They produce mycotoxins – a toxic compound that results in adverse health impacts that may include implications for the nervous system, reduction of immunity level, and, in severe cases, may cause cancer.
10 Common Types of Molds in Home
Cladosporium
This kind of mold is reported to be a mixed species because it grows in warm and cold environments. This home invader resides on fabrics, wood, and heating and cooling systems. In humans, it usually causes skin rashes and respiratory problems.
Penicillium
Penicillium belongs to the group of blue or green, velvety-textured allergenic mold. They positively thrive on water-damaged buildings and other products such as wallpapers, carpets, and insulations. It has allergens that affect humans and result in respiratory diseases.
Aspergillus
Aspergillus is a pathogen that colonizes water-damaged buildings and cold ventilation systems. It is not fatal to humans; however, when one is exposed to it for a long time, it can cause allergic reactions. It also impacts the lungs of people with a suppressed immune system.
Stachybotrys
Stachybotrys, or black mold, produces mycotoxins and thrives on wood, regions of high humidity, and air conditioning systems. Living with black mold can cause chronic respiratory illnesses in house inhabitants.
Alternaria
Alternaria is an allergenic mold that mainly develops in humid areas of a home. It is easily recognizable, having a dark green or brown hue. Allergies attributable to this organism can cause ailments that resemble asthma. Extreme exposure to Alternaria can be a severe threat to people with a weak immune system.
Aureobasidium
This is a very fast-growing allergenic mold that prefers to thrive in moist interiors of buildings. It mainly produces pink, brown, or black spots on wallpapers or wooden surfaces. People can get skin, eye, or nail infections after contacting Aureobasidium.
Fusarium
Fusarium is a fungus that grows in cooler temperatures on water-damaged interiors. This toxigenic mold is often discovered on carpets, wallpapers, and fabrics. It frequently causes skin diseases and is well-known for creating dangerous toxins.
Mucor
This one is mostly a skin irritant and only has one toxic characteristic. Mucor is commonly found in areas affected by flood and grows on water-affected wallpapers, mattresses, and carpets. People can inhale mucor and develop zygomycosis, a dangerous disease characterized by lung, sinus, and brain complications.
Chaetomium
Chaetomium is another mold commonly found to be allergenic. It colonizes water-damaged drywalls. The mold’s natural environment is soil and decomposing plant material; however, it can enter a home environment with water seepage. Chaetomium grows as a white mass with a cotton-like texture, and its color is variable, ranging between white, gray, and brown. It influences humans through skin and nail disorders.
Trichoderma
This is a toxigenic mold commonly found in the kitchen and bathroom. It has a wool-like feel and is green in color. Trichoderma produces an enzyme that causes wood and other materials to rot. Exposure to this mold can cause severe sinusitis.
How to Identify Mold in Home?
Early detection of mold in a home can prevent the spread of diseases and find a remedy before it takes over the structure. To identify mold, look out for the following signs:
- Unfamiliar odors, often musty.
- Walls, ceilings, and floor discoloration.
- Warped walls.
- Visible mold.
Effective Strategies for Mold Removal
Proper preventive measures and techniques can help eliminate mold in the home. If you are looking for homely solutions, you can start with the following steps:
- Identify the source that is feeding the mold.
- Wear protective clothing, masks, goggles, and gloves to avoid direct contact with the mold.
- Cover the affected areas with plastic. This will help contain the mold spores and prevent spreading to other unaffected areas.
- Check for materials that have caught mold and discard them immediately.
- Make a solution of bleach and water in a 3:1 proportion. Scrub it on non-porous surfaces to remove the mold.
- Use fans and dehumidifiers to dry out the surfaces to prevent mold regrowth.
- Run regular checks on warm and damp spots that catch moisture quickly.
While these are only first-hand preventative measures, it is advisable to seek help from professional mold remediation companies like ServeKings to eradicate mold formation from its roots.
Conclusion
Untreated mold can kill the appearance of your home, invite diseases, and damage the whole structure. Understanding the types of mold that can infest your homes and the hazards they can bring will help you seek the exact and effective solution to end the problem. However, having professional mold specialists treat the situation can improve outcomes.
