A Detailed Guide into the Types of Mold and How to Remove Them
Research conducted by the Institute of Medicine (NAM) links mold exposure to a myriad of upper respiratory tract conditions such as sneezing, wheezing, and asthma. Mold can be virtually found in any indoor or outdoor environment, and warm and humid conditions accelerate its growth.
Different Types of Mold
The different mold species are primarily distinguished by their colors. The popular ones are black, green, yellow, white, and pink.
Here is a breakdown of the different types and where they mostly occur:
- Black or Grey Mold: Black or grey mold is extremely toxic, and you can find it outdoors lurking on decaying plant leaves. Indoors, it grows around areas with water damage, condensation, water leaks, flooding, and excess humidity.
- Green Mold: In the outdoors, green mold occurs on trees. Indoors, you will find it in your refrigerator if you have bad food. It can also be found on stale food such as bread and baked goods.
- White Mold: White mold is commonly found in the bathroom, especially on the wall tile grout. High moisture levels in the bathroom make this space a suitable breeding ground for white mold.
- Yellow Mold: Yellow mold is extremely toxic, and it may appear in subdued shades such as yellowish-brown. It is mostly found on wood and can cause severe reactions if it comes into contact with your skin.
- Pink Mold: Pink mold develops on shower floors and shower curtains. It mostly feeds on soap products and is hard to eliminate as it thrives in the warm, humid conditions in the shower.
How to Remove Mold
Mold removal techniques range from DIY methods that use bleach to professional ones with advanced cleaners and equipment. The process of removal depends on the type of mold present and how prevalent it is on your surfaces.
- Assess mold growth and the conditions promoting it in your home or facility, i.e., moisture and humidity levels
- Determine the extent of mold contamination
- Come up with a mold remediation plan
- Remediate the mold using proper techniques and equipment to avoid further exposure
- Conduct a post-remediation inspection
How to Prevent Mold Growth
There are various techniques you can use to prevent indoor mold growth. These include the following:
- Fix plumbing leaks to eliminate moisture problems
- Use dehumidifiers to get rid of excess humidity in the air
- Wipe down shower walls after use
- Remove wet clothes from the bathroom and buy shower curtains that dry quickly
- Handle carpet spills immediately they occur
Hire MoldStar Remediation for Your Mold Remediation Needs!
Working with the right mold remediation company is the first step to eliminating and preventing mold growth in your home or business. At MoldStar Remediation, we pride ourselves on offering professional mold remediation services in Metro Atlanta.
