6 Common Types of Mold in Homes

Posted in Mold, on July 06, 2020

Mold grows in all types of Toronto homes, regardless of their age or architecture, for one simple reason: moisture. When we do mold inspections in Toronto, the most common cause for mold growth is from a leak, flood, condensation, or some other types of unwanted moisture build-up. Mold needs an organic surface (like wood, paper, or textiles) to grow on and a stable temperature - but it’s not until water is introduced that mold growth begins. Having a mold inspection in Toronto is an important part of detecting mold growth before it begins to adversely affect your health. 

The Effects of Mold on Health

Mold growth in your home isn’t a good sign - not only can it cause costly damage to your home’s beams, walls, floors, and possessions, it also has an insidious effect on the health of you and your family. 

Mold reproduces by making tiny airborne spores that settle on our skin, clothes, and furniture. Once inside us, spores cause inflammation and irritation that can lead to both long and short term health problems. Some of the most common mold-related health issues are: 

• Persistent headaches
• Fatigue
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Respiratory trouble
• Running nose, sneezing
• Dry, itchy skin

If this sounds familiar to you, it’s because many of these symptoms are similar to those of the common cold or flu - which makes diagnosing mold exposure difficult. Mold testing in Toronto can give you definitive answers and help you feel better!

Different Kinds of Household Mold

There are thousands of different types of mold that grow indoors, and they all have different colours, textures, growth patterns, and toxicity. While a mold inspection is the only way to know for sure what type of mold is growing in your home, here are five common ones that we find in Toronto and the GTA. 

1. Alternaria: Commonly found in bathrooms, often green or brown. 

2. Aspergillus: With over 185 different species, aspergillus can be found anywhere dampness occurs indoors. 

3. Chaetomium: Often found after a leak or flood, can be grey, white, brown, or even black. 

4. Fusarium: Capable of growing in cooler temperatures, preferring wallpaper, and carpeting. 

5. Mucor: Commonly found near HVAC systems, causes a serious fungal infection called mucormycosis

6. Stachybotrys: Also known as toxic black mold because of its highly toxic spores that cause difficulty breathing. 

Test For Mold

Mold testing and inspection in Toronto is a valuable tool for helping you eradicate household mold once and for all. SafeAir has specialized in indoor air quality testing for over a decade and offers high-quality objective results. Whether your home is big or small, if there’s a mold problem, we’ll help identify the where and why so that you can have it safely and permanently removed. Mold can seriously affect your health and often grows without evidence, making a mold inspection in Toronto the best way to determine if your health is being affected by mold spores. For more information, get in touch with us at 416-414-5690 in Toronto and the GTA.