The Different Levels of Household Mold Explained
It’s not a great feeling to find mold in your home. There’s no shame in it—it happens to the best of us—but it usually leads to one thing: Googling. And you won’t like what you learn. Before you panic, call remediation specialists. They can test the area to identify the species of mold and the extent of the problem. For the big picture, it helps to have the different levels of household mold explained to you.
Is All Mold Evil?
No—you just don’t really want it in your house (unless it’s as a delicious side dish of mushrooms). Molds play a natural part in the environment. When they’re outdoors, they help break down organic materials like leaves and trees. Molds reproduce by spores that are invisible to us but float in the air. They can grow wherever there’s moisture and oxygen.
Mold isn’t as welcome indoors. While not all species are toxic or dangerous, there are more than 100,000 kinds of molds. They can spread through the air and even through air conditioning vents. Because their spores are in the air we breathe, they can trigger health problems like asthma and other respiratory issues. But mold remediation specialists will determine how big your issue is.
These specialists use dedicated equipment to collect and analyze samples from your home. This method is more reliable than trying to take a sample on your own. Mold experts will be able to analyze the results and tell you the levels of spores in your home: living, dormant, and dead. They can also identify what specifies of mold is present. Best of all, they can develop a plan to remove the mold and sanitize the area.
Common Molds in Homes
When testing for mold, the species is just as essential as the spore count. You might see some of these names on your report:
Acremonium
This small fungus can manifest as a powder in shades of pink, gray, orange, and white. It can spread in HVAC systems. After flooding, it can grow in carpet, too.
Aspergillus
Often found on walls and insulation, this mold has long spores that reproduce on top of each other in layers. Its colors can vary.
Aureobasidium
It might look black or pink when the growth starts, but it turns brown as time goes on. It often takes to painted surfaces, windows, and wood.
Chaetomium
This is a mold you can definitely smell. It looks like cotton and appears on carpets, baseboards, and even paper products. It can be black, gray, white, or brown.
Cladosporium
If it looks like there’s a thin layer of earth-toned velvet or suede on your wood or tile, it might be Cladosporium.
Eurotium
This mold can sprout up quickly in air conditioning units and on the floor. It usually appears to be yellow or green.
Fusarium
You might notice white, brown, or purple cotton-like growth on damp carpets and walls. It can even grow on polyester polyurethane foam.
Mucor
In areas with high humidity, this thick gray or white mold can appear on carpeting, especially if it’s been there a while.
Penicillium
If you have water damage, you’re likely to find penicillium growing. It’s green and powdery, and it can even grow on food.
Stachybotrys
You don’t want this black mold in your home. It’s powdery and grows slowly on items that contain cellulose, like paper and wood.
Trichoderma
This can be yellow or green, with a white circle surrounding the colony. It can be devastating indoors because it will eat through wood, paper, and fabrics.
Ulocladium
If you have extensive water damage, Ulocladium is sure to make an appearance. It can be hard to identify by sight, though, because its form varies.
Wallemia
This mold is rarer, but it’s distinctive in that it can thrive on your floors and walls, even in somewhat dry environments.
What the Levels Mean
From air samples and surface swabs, removal technicians will interpret the concentration of spores in your home. At each level, you can expect to discover certain common types of molds. As a general guide:
0-50 Spores
These trace levels are considered to be a clean area. But if elements of Stachybotrys, Chaetomium, and Fusarium are present, further investigation might be necessary.
50-200 Spores
This is a low level. Unless Memnoniella or Stachybotrys are present, there shouldn’t be an issue.
200-500 Spores
At this concentration, most common mold species are in a normal range.
500-1,500 Spores
In some closed environments, these mold levels might be due to everyday life. Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Cladosporium might not require remediation.
1,500-3,000 Spores
Many home renovators come across issues at this level. Molds can be lurking behind walls, fostered by dust and the air conditioning system.
3,000-10,000 Spores
Remediation is necessary at this point. If the spores aren’t due to a source that a specialist can visually identify, the duct system might be to blame.
10,000-25,000 Spores
At this level, people with normal immune functioning might experience respiratory symptoms. Restrict the area until removal can take place.
25,000-Plus Spores
Vacate the area. A professional, licensed remediation specialist will remove any hazardous materials and sanitize the situation.
The Testing Process
Technicians take air samples from suspicious locations like the basement or kitchen and comparison samples from other parts of the home. The more data they can analyze, the more thorough the assessment will be. They might also swab walls and other affected surfaces.
While it’s alarming to realize that you might be living with a mold problem, make sure you work with a remediation service with a reputation for integrity. Too many companies take advantage of concerned homeowners with scare tactics. They might exaggerate the problem or hike up the price. If they don’t specialize in mold removal, they may not even have the expertise to target the specific mold correctly, efficiently, and safely.
If you’ve identified an issue and need mold removal in Palm Beach County, Florida, Mold Only can explain the different levels of household mold clearly—and without playing up the drama. Our staff has extensive training for all kinds of mold. We can test the area and give you a written plan with a schedule. Soon, you can relax in your home, confident that it’s mold-free inside and out.