Types of Mold

2/10/2022 (Permalink)

You should not be surprised to know that mold is pretty common. 

Alternaria

Alternaria spreads quickly from the outdoors and usually enters the house through poor ventilation or HVAC units. It also grows under sinks where the pipes leak, and it spreads quickly throughout a home.

Aureobasidium

If you see "pink" mold, it's usually Aureobasidium. It grows on virtually all surfaces, including wallpaper and painted surfaces.

Botrytis

Usually found in bathrooms without ventilation, Botrytis requires a lot of moisture and humidity.

Chaetomium

Commonly found on drywall, Chaetomium has a decidedly musty smell.

Cladosporium

This mold can grow in colder temperatures and often prefers fabrics, carpets, and wood surfaces.

Penicillium

This type of mold grows anywhere that may have been damaged by water (especially carpets, wallpaper, or mattresses). It's usually blue or green. We all know the petri dish story.

Stachybotrys chartarum

Traditionally called "black mold," this nasty, slimy mold grows anywhere its damp (and stays damp). Stachybotrys has a particularly musty odor that makes it easy to identify. 

Serpula lacrymans

Usually, if your wood is rotting out, it's because of Serpula lacrymans. It's yellow in color.

Trichoderma

This hardy variety of mold grows on carpets, wallpapers, and wet surfaces. Trichoderma should be taken very seriously.

Ulocladium

These types of fungi rely on water to grow, so it's usually found in flooded homes. It's usually found on the walls.