Common types of house and apartment mold
Homemade mold comes in all shapes, sizes and colors. It is important to learn to identify the presence of mold in your home and develop a plan of attack to deal with it properly.
The biggest threats to any type of home
Like the colors in a pencil box (but not as fun), mold comes in several shades, including black, white, green and orange.
The most common types of mold have the following names: aspergillus, cladosporium, and stachybotrys atra (or black mold).
Aspergillus is a fairly allergenic mold that is commonly found on food and in home air conditioning systems.
Cladosporium is generally a black or green “pepper-like” substance and originates from the back of toilets, painted surfaces and fiberglass air ducts. Although this mold is not toxic to humans, it can trigger common allergy symptoms, such as watery, red eyes, rashes, and a sore throat.
Maion mold, which appears to be orange or red in color, is usually found outdoors, given its nature to thrive on decaying plants or moist wood. This type of mold, which may appear viscous, is harmless and should only be removed for aesthetic reasons.
Black mold is a type of fungus whose color is greenish or very dark black and which often gives off a distinct odor of humidity, musty or musty. It tends to spread on surfaces containing a lot of cellulose, such as fiberboard, wood, gypsum board or paper. It prefers humid and warm environments and can grow where conditions allow. Black mold often thrives in damp places, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms and shower stalls. It can also appear following the bursting of a pipe or a flood, while it can develop in areas of the building that a person cannot easily see, for example between the wall layers or under floors or carpets.
Finally, white mold is not one of the types of mold since it is only at the beginning of its growth and it can be easily treated.
Is there mold in your house or apartment?
Mold will not set off alarms like fire or carbon monoxide, but it is almost as bad. There are many varieties of mold that can cause a multitude of health problems and property damage. This is why it is extremely important to fix all mold problems as soon as their presence is detected.
If you are wondering if there is mold in your apartment or in your house, ask yourself the questions below. If the answer is positive, take the necessary measures to remedy it and seek professional advice if necessary.
Do you see water spots?
Mold is created by humidity. Without it, it would not exist. Mold spores float in the air and, if they land on a wet surface, can quickly become uncontrollable. Whenever you see a water stain on the ceiling, wall or floor, there is a risk of mold forming. Smell the place to see if it is wet. Other signs of water damage are paint and wallpaper that is bubbling, cracking, or chipping.
Do you have allergy symptoms?
Sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, these are some of the symptoms that can occur in the presence of mold. This indicates that the problem is inside your home, not outside. Following its proliferation, it can cause severe allergic reactions when it is inhaled or touched. If you are allergic to mold, serious health conditions, such as asthma attacks, can occur.
If your allergy symptoms are more severe at home than outside or elsewhere, it is quite possible that you have a mold problem!
Have you started having headaches or memory problems?
Mycotoxins are the main source of concern for mold. These are produced by toxic strains of mold and can cause serious health problems. Symptoms may include dizziness, headache, reduced attention span, memory loss and problems with concentration. As with allergy symptoms caused by non-toxic mold, if your symptoms worsen in your apartment, it is very likely that mold
Something smells musty?
If there is a musty smell in your home, mold could be the source. Even if you don’t see any signs of mold, if you do smell it, it’s worth checking out more.
Is it dirt?
Mold is not always visible, but when it is, it is sometimes confused with dirt, soot or some other type of stain. The problem with a small spot of mold is that it may just be the tip of the iceberg. Indeed, there could be a larger amount of mold hidden behind walls or in other places that you have not yet found. Mold comes in many colors, shapes and sizes, so don’t assume it is not mold if it is not black.
Do you have any known leaks? A sign of house mold
If you have a leak, chances are mold is your next problem. Due to its need for moisture, mold often resides around pipes, in front of and behind walls. Repair the leak as soon as possible and carefully check for mold.
Have there ever been floods?
Again, moisture is necessary for mold to develop. For example, just because the flood happened long ago without leaving a trace does not mean it is now. The mold may have grown since then and may be on the verge of becoming apparent. When looking for a new house or apartment, always ask if the unit has already been flooded.
Have you noticed more condensation?
When there is a lot of humidity in the air, condensation builds up. It is usually a sign that all the conditions are right for mold formation. High humidity will make condensation more difficult and promote mold growth.
If you suspect that there is mold in your apartment, do not hesitate to contact the property manager or the owner. If you are an owner, contact a professional so that an inspection can be carried out as soon as possible. Mold is a serious problem that should be dealt with immediately. If mold is present, it will need to be treated right away, which may mean that you have to stay somewhere else while the problem is being resolved.
