What Does Mold Look Like?
Mold is one of the most common household problems that homeowners face. It can grow anywhere, and many people don't realize what it looks like until it's too late.
Mold can be black, white, green, or blue. It usually has a rough texture that is bumpy and irregular. However, what it looks like depends on the surface that it's growing on because each material affects its final appearance.
This article will teach you what mold looks like on various surfaces in your home so that you can easily identify any potential infestation.
If there's already growth inside your home, call a mold removal and remediation company to test air quality and determine the types of mold before removing it using proper tools for safety purposes.
Where Does Mold Grow?
Mold can grow anywhere that is dark and moist, so it thrives in the bathroom or any room with a shower. It also tends to thrive on wood because moisture gets trapped between the fibers of the wood, which encourages mold growth.
Molds can grow in other indoor areas of a house including:
- Basement
- Bathrooms
- Closets
- Garages
- Around windows and window sills
- inside insulation
- Air conditioning
Molds can also grow outside and are most commonly found in gardens, leaves, or mulch piles. This is commonplace for mold to occur when it rains often or the weather gets colder.
Mold isn't just unsightly, toxic varieties such as Stachybotrys (black mold) and Aspergillus can cause a range of health problems and symptoms from allergies and sore throat, to more severe respiratory problems, including allergic reactions and asthma.
To keep mold spores away from the home, it is best to prevent exposure and infestation. There are some mold prevention tips you can use as well as recommendations that will help with this task.
Common places to find the mold and what it may look like on different surfaces.
What Does Mold Look Like On Wood?
Mold on wood appears as, white, green, black, or blue-green and has a fuzzy texture. It has an appearance that's often discolored and also has a musty, earthy smell.
This happens due to excess moisture in the wood and is often found on beams or boards that are exposed to water from leaks above. You can prevent mold growing on wood by reducing humidity and moisture to the proper levels.
If there is already growth on wood surfaces, contact a professional mold mitigation expert for an inspection of air quality before they remove it.
What Does Mold Look Like On Drywall?
Mold on drywall appears as green, black, or blue-green with a patchy texture that's flat against the surface.
Mold can cause the paint to chip off over time, exposing it. What's more is that it can eat through your walls if left untreated for long enough, causing physical damage which can lead to structural damage.
Drywall is made of gypsum. If you have found what looks to be dark brown spots with yellow borders around the room's perimeter it could indicate there may be moisture behind. Drywall promotes mold growth because it is absorbent and retains moisture.
To prevent mold on drywall, lower humidity and moisture in the home. If you have already gotten rid of a water leak that has caused mold growth, make sure all air vents are sealed properly so there isn't excess airflow into your walls which can bring more moisture inside.
Mold can grow and is often found near water sources like leaking roofs or pipes because it thrives in moist conditions. Mold on drywall can also appear as a powdery growth.
If what looks like mold (especially black mold) on drywall has already grown, call a professional who understands the mold removal process and can get rid of your mold problem quickly and safely.
What Does Mold Look Like On Carpet?
Mold on carpets usually appears as black or green with a smooth texture that's flat against the surface. It often appears as greenish-black spots with dark edges. Mold on carpet can be pea-sized or larger.
A carpet is a prime place for mold spores to set up and grow, because it's absorbent and retains moisture, especially in humid or damp conditions like basements where what looks like mold often grows on the carpet.
What Does Mold Look Like On Walls?
Mold on walls can be black, green, or blue-green and has a rough texture with bumps and irregular shapes. It will look like there is dust all over the wall but it is decaying organic material.
Mold species on walls usually appear where there is water damage or leaks above, similar to what mold looks like on the ceiling.
What Does Mold Look Like On Ceilings?
Mold on ceilings usually appears as black, green, or blue-green and has a smooth texture. It can also have small bumps but is more of a powdery material rather rough.
Mold grows easily on ceiling surfaces because they are flat with no air circulation and retain moisture. Hot air rises which hits the ceiling and gets trapped.
What Does Mold Look Like On Bread?
Mold on bread appears green or black and can have a fuzzy or smooth texture with a musty smell depending on what type of mold it is.
Mold likes bread because it's moist and contains sugars that are perfect for its growth. You can prevent mold from growing on bread by storing it in a dry, dark place.
If you see mold growing on bread, do not eat it. Mold is microscopic and what appears to be just a small part of the bread covered in mold has actually penetrated throughout the entire thing. So cutting off sections with mold on it will not always prevent you from getting sick.
What Does Mold Look Like On Concrete?
Mold on concrete is usually black or blue-green. It has what seems like a powdery texture. It can also appear greenish-black spots with dark borders around the room's perimeter and looks similar to how to grows on drywall (because concrete grows mold easily).
What Does Mold Look Like On Clothes?
Mold on clothes appears as black, brown or green spots on the fabric. It can have a smooth texture with small bumps and what seems to be powdery but it is actually decaying organic material.
Mold prefers clothing because clothes are absorbent materials that retain moisture from humidity and sweat. When you wear your clothes day after day without washing them, mold is more likely to appear.
There's no saving a piece of clothing that has been contaminated by mold or mildew. Even if a smaller areas of the article is covered, it might be worth throwing away because trying to clean just one part isn't enough and you risk having even more fungal growth on your clothes.
Have You Found Mold In Your Home Or Business?
There are many signs of mold in your home that you can identify with a bit of research and knowledge. Knowing what molds look like when it first starts helps prevent a full infestation.
Mold can look different depending on what type it is, where it's located and what conditions caused its growth in the first place.
If you've detected any signs of mold growth contact Mold Removal Winnipeg for immediate mold remediation.
Our mold removal experts can help you with any questions you might have and schedule an inspection right away.