Tag: mold testing

How to Identify Different Types of Mold

Published on

Mold is the last thing you want to live with in your home, as It causes musty odors, damage to your house, and dangerous health problems. Are you are worried about mold in your home? Keep reading for some tips from the professionals at RestoPros on how to identify different types of mold.

How to Identify Different Types of Mold by Color and Physical Symptoms:

The two easiest ways to identify which type of mold is in your home is by color and correlating symptoms. Here are the color qualities and related symptoms for common types of household mold:

Yellow-green/Brown Mold:

  • Scientific Name: Aspergillus
  • Coloring: This mold is a yellow-green color on the surface with brown coloring underneath.
  • Where it Grows: in air conditioning systems and on starchy foods like potatoes and bread.
  • Potential Symptoms: allergic reactions, respiratory infections, and inflammation of the lungs.

 

Pink and Black Mold:

  • Scientific Name: Ureobasidium.
  • Coloring: pink and black in color
  • Where it Grows: in damp areas like window frames, bathroom rugs, or caulk.
  • Potential Symptoms: eye irritation or respiratory problems.

 

Black and Green Mold:

  • Scientific Name: Cladosporium
  • Coloring: This mold is black and green in color and has a pepper-like appearance.
  • Where it Grows: on surfaces like toilets, fiberglass ducts, fabrics, and wood.
  • Potential Symptoms: watery eyes, a sore throat, or respiratory problems.

 

Dark Green, Brown, or Black Mold:

  • Scientific Name: Chaetomium.
  • Coloring: This type of mold is dark green, brown, or black in color and produces a musty odor.
  • Where it Grows: in buildings that have suffered extensive water damage.
  • Potential Symptoms: This type of mold rarely causes health problems in humans who are exposed to it.

 

Blue or Green Mold:

  • Scientific Name: Penicillium
  • Coloring: blue or green, this type of mold can easily transfer from room to room
  • Where it Grows: on wallpaper and textiles like carpets, mattresses, or curtains.
  • Potential Symptoms: This mold causes allergic reactions, sinus infections, and lung inflammation.

 

Black Mold:

  • Scientific Name: Stachybotrys chartarum
  • Coloring: It is dark in color and produces a musty odor.
  • Toxic/black mold is one of most common molds associated with health problems; it produces mycotoxins.
  • Where it Grows: in extremely damp locations (inside air conditioning systems, near leaky pipes, and on porous surfaces like drywall.)
  • Potential Symptoms: Exposure to black mold can cause allergic reactions, sinus infections, asthma symptoms, fatigue, headaches, and even depression.

 

Green or Bright Green & White:

  • Scientific Name: Trichoderma
  • Coloring: green or bright green color with white mixed in
  • Where it Grows: on wallpaper, carpets, and other porous surfaces.
  • Trichoderma produces mycotoxins causing serious health problems.
  • Potential Symptoms: allergic reactions, sinus infections, asthma, fatigue, headaches and depression.

 

Although you now know what to look for, it is always a good idea to have your house professionally tested if you suspect you have a mold problem. If you are looking for a professional to perform mold testing, remediation, or removal in your home, contact the experts at RestoPros! Call 855-587-3786 to make an appointment today!

3 Ways to Test for Mold in Your Home

Published on

Not all stains are made equal. While some are just spilled food or water, others can actually be splotches of mold that have infested your home. Additionally, musky, pungent smells in your home can also be a sign of mold. While bad smells and unexplainable stains are both common signs of a mold problem, they’re not always indicative of an infestation. If you’ve noticed either in your home, it’s best to test for mold.

RestoPros recommends every Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowner llearnsabout mold testing. We have provided some mold testing methods below to help guide you in discovering and treating a mold problem.

Note: Do not perform any mold testing without the proper mold cleaning equipment. Wear the appropriate goggles, face mask, gloves, and long-sleeved clothes before proceeding.

1. Test Your Home’s Humidity Using a Hygrometer

Is your home a suitable habitat for mold growth? Mold flourishes in warm, dark, and humid environments. And if your home falls under these conditions, the stain or smell could have a higher chance of being from mold. Humidity arguably plays the biggest role in mold growth, so you’ll want to test your home’s humidity using a hygrometer.

Hygrometers can be found at almost any department store and are used to measure humidity levels in a given area. Adequate humidity levels for homes are between 40-60%, with anything higher possibly making your home more suitable for mold growth.

2. Test the Fragility of Stained Surfaces

Mold can lead to rot, especially in porous surfaces such as drywall. You’ll want to test the fragility of stains using a tool such as a ruler or screwdriver. If the surface of a stain feels crumbly or squishy, this could mean mold is causing rot. Be careful not to puncture the surface using a tool.

3. Utilize a Mold Testing Kit

Mold testing kits are available to purchase at almost any home improvement store and are used to detect mold and its associated contaminants. Depending on the type of mold kit, it can measure for mold spores in the air in addition to possible mold stains. Be aware that some mold testing kits require mailing samples to a lab, which could take some time to process and return the results.

What if You’ve Discovered Mold?

If a test has indicated the possibility of mold, you’ll want to contact RestoPros for quality mold remediation services that help restore your home to a healthy condition. Our mold-removal experts utilize only the highest-quality products for eradicating mold, such as Bad Axe Particulate Conqueror.

Bad Axe Particulate Conqueror is a high-tech cleaning aid used in our mold remediation process. This product attacks airborne contaminants (such as mold spores) directly, immobilizing and increasing mass for easier clean-up. This reduces the possibility of further mold growth after remediation, as well as less contaminants in the air.

Throughout the RestoPros mold remediation process, we utilize Bad Axe Particulate Conqueror for both contamination control and more thorough mold elimination. We utilize this product to contain particles before, during, and after remediation, helping to ensure your home is restored to a healthy condition.

If you have tested and found mold in your Dallas/Ft. Worth home, contact RestoPros at 855-587-3786 for “Bad Axe” mold remediation services!

Related Links:

A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home – EPA

Mold – EPA