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In part 2 of our series on the 12 most common types of mold found in US homes we take a look at 3 mold types that can pose a threat to you and your loved ones. As mentioned in part 1 of our series, some mold types are far more dangerous to human health than others. As such, equipping yourself with the knowledge to spot dangerous molds quickly may have serious implications on the health and wellbeing of your entire household.

1. Ulocladium

A moisture loving mold that thrives in wet environments, ulocladium is typically found in buildings and homes that have suffered extreme water damage. Whether spotted in bathrooms, kitchens, basements or along baseboards or windows you can be sure that significant moisture is present wherever Ulocladium resides. Ulocladium is known amongst restoration professionals as a key indicator of the presence of water damage within a structure.

Ulocladium is known for it’s two subspecies that can wreak havoc on individuals with allergies or immune disorders. Often times those suffering from either condition will experience serious adverse health effects such as hay fever when exposed to Ulolcadium mold.

2. Stachybotrys

Stachybotrys, or as it’s more commonly called, “black mold”, is known for it’s dark green-ish black appearance. Stachybotrys is a well known toxigenic mold that’s growth is accelerated by wet conditions. Known to grow exceedingly well on cellulose-type materials such as drywall, Stachybotrys begins it’s early stages as small black spots that multiply quickly.

From severe headaches to unexplained nosebleeds and extreme fatigue, Stachybotrys is known to be extremely disrutpive to humans. “Toxic mold” as it’s also called, produces mycotoxins that can cause respiratory infections in children and adults. Symptoms of exposure typically include pain breathing accompanied with burning sensations in the lungs and throat, tightening in the chest and severe headaches.

Stachybotrys has also been linked to neurological deficiencies and “bleeding lungs” in infants.

3. Mucormycetes

This houshold mold grows in thick patches and is often white or grey-ish white in color. A fast growing allergenic species, Mucor typically grows near air conditioning systems and ducts thanks to moisture and condensation emitted from a units operation. Mucor can cause a wide variety of health issues but far and away the most commonly reported symptoms of Mucor exposure include reduced respiratory capacity, asthma and malaise.

In the most rare cases, individuals who suffer from prolonged Mucor exposure will devlop a rare illness called, mucormycosis. Mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection that damages sinuses and lungs and can even cause harm to the brain. The eyes, nose and renal systems can even be affected making this one of the scariest mold-driven illnesses on our list.

Mold spores are a pervasive fungi consisting of over 100,000 unique variations. Now, while that may sound frightening at first, it’s reassuring to learn that only a tiny fraction of those 100k unique mold species are dangerous to human beings. In this multi part blog series we will explore 12 mold types most commonly found in homes — and how to recognize them.

1. Acremonium

First up is a toxigenic mold type known for it’s ability to evolve in it’s appearance over time. What starts out as a smallmoist mold spore morphs over time into an ultra fine, powdery substance that can range from grey to pink to orange or even white in color. Acremonium is known to to grow most commonly in humidifiers, drain pans, cooling coils and along windown seals.

Exposure Symptoms Include

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fingernail and toenail infections
• Arthritis
• Peritonitis
• Bone marrow damage
• Organ damage
• Weakened immune response
• Impaired brain function

2. Alternaria

More prevalent than Acremonium, alternaria holds the crown as the most common allergenic mold type in the world. A velvet-like textured, dark green or brown mold with little “hairs”, alternaria, like most mold, grows exceptionally well in damp areas. Alternaria is commonly found outdoors on dead plant material and amongst grasses and soil but it can also grow quite handily indoors as well. Areas like bathtubs, showers, window seals and beneath leaky sinks seem to provide the most ideal conditions for growth. Acute water damage inside a home or business building is another major contributor. Alternaria is a quick spreading mold that requires fast action to prevent widespread infestation.

Common symptoms of alternaria exposure include asthma-like reactions in the upper respiratory tract along with irritation and itchiness in the nose and mouth.

3. Aspergillus

Found throughout American households, Aspergillus is a very common type of mold. Today there are 185 known species of Aspergillus mold. Each with varying appearances. Coming into contact with Aspergillus is all but unavoidable as it lives outdoors and is found throughout decaying leaves, compost piles, plants and trees. For most people, everyday exposure to Aspergillus is no cause for concern. However, those with weakened immune systems can suffer from significant symptoms.

Risk Factors Include:

• Weakened Immune system
• Low white blood cell count
• Cavities in the lungs
• Long-term corticosteroid usage

Call The Mold Remediation Experts at H&L Restoration Today!

Given the wide variety of mold types in existence its nearly impossible to identify harmful mold species from their non-harmful counterparts. That’s why it’s always best to hire a mold removal expert to diagnose and remediate mold conditions as soon as their spotted.

When dealing with your home, one of lifes largest financial investments, there are no shortage of issues that can go awry. When you consider the damage that can be done by plumbing issues, foundation damage, fires, water damage and flooding, it’s enough to make any home owner shutter with anxiety. These issues all have one thing in common, early detection will nearly always reduce damage and lessen the financial burden during repairs. This is exactly why self education is so important as a property owner. Knowing how to identify the early warning signs of these various issues before they balloon into full a full scale crises is vital.

In this post, we are going to cover how to spot some of the most commonly ignored signs of water damage in a home. If left unattended, residential water damage can deeply impact your home’s structure, compromise it’s foundation, lead to mold infestation, and cost tens of thousands of dollars to repair! And these are just the issues that can be solved with money. When you factor mold and it’s various health risks into the equation, the situation gets far more serious.

Continue reading below to learn more about methods for detecting water damage within your home.

1. Look Down

One thing is for certain across all of the possible flooring types in any home, they will all show signs of water damage if you look closely enough. The key is knowing which signs to look for in your home. For hardwood & tile flooring you will want to keep an eye out for buckled, cracked, or warped flooring. For carpet, the alarm bells should send anytime you discover unexplainable wet/damp spots, soft spots, bubbled areas, or the smell of mold or dank/dampness. These are surefire signs that water is finding it’s way to your floors. Whether it is coming from a plumbing leak, structural issue, or some other source will likely require inspection by a qualified professional. But if you notice any of the above signs, reach out to a water damage restoration company immediately for assistance. It’s the first step in insuring your home’s water damage doesn’t leave you up a creek.

2. Keep an Eye Out for Stains

Visible water stains on flooring around your bathtubs, shower pans, toilets, or sinks, as well as discolored areas on ceilings & walls, are amongst of the most tell-tale signs of water damage. Regardless of the location of the pooling water or water stains, you should treat them all with the same level of seriousness. Especially given the fact that stains along walls & on ceilings are a pretty good indicator of a leaking or busted plumbing pipe. Remember to never take plumbing leaks lightly. Pressurized pipes with small pinhole leaks can turn into complete ruptures spilling water a rates upwards of a 25 gallons per minute!

3. Damage Can Also Happen on the Outside

It is often recommended that homeowners perform a semi annual inspection along the exterior of their homes to check for signs of water damage. From blocked rain gutters to cracked & weather damaged seals along windows and doors, there is much to take into consideration when performing these checks. It is also a good idea to keep an eye out for pools of standing water on sidewalks, patios, and in your yard. Standing water in your yard can be an indicator of poor drainage at best and a damaged or cracked sewer line at worst. Keep in mind that any of the above issues can quickly threaten the foundation of your home if left unresolved.

4. Mold

First, you’ll want to perform the obvious visual inspection for any active mold growth inside closets, under sinks, along windows, & in attics and basements. Even the smallest amount of moisture in the right conditions can lead to a boom in microscopic mold spores growth. Some types of mold are toxic to humans and animals and can cause a slew of very debilatating health issues. Do not allow your home or most importantly your family to fall victim to a toxic mold infestation. Remeber to also be on alert for musty, unpleasant smells throughout the different rooms in your home. Trust your senses. If you think something is off, it probably is.

If you’re looking for water damage restoration in San Jose, or any city in the South Bay, contact the Bay Area experts at H&L Restoration today! We provide free on-site inspections and estimates on all water & mold remediation services!