While mold plays a vital role in nature by helping break down organic materials, it can cause serious problems in your home. From those that require dark, damp conditions to thrive to those that appear on rotting fruit, there are many varieties to look out for. Here, review some of the most common types of fungi affecting homes throughout the country to determine if you need to schedule mold testing.

What Kind of Mold Is Found in Homes?

1. Aspergillus

A type of mold with many subspecies, aspergillus has long spores and features yellow, white, and green colors, among others. You’ll find it on wooden surfaces throughout your home. Typical exposure symptoms include respiratory health issues, such as asthma, hay fever, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis—a type of lung infection.

2. Aureobasidium

Another mold species that thrives on wood, aureobasidium may also be found on painted and wallpapered walls and caulk in bathrooms, kitchens, and around windows. It has a pink, black, or brown color that gets darker the longer it's allowed to thrive. It also has a spotty appearance and can cause a rash if it touches bare skin, in addition to eye and nail infections.

3. Cladosporium

Cladosporium enjoys warm and cool conditions, and it's often found on carpet and upholstery, as well as wooden cabinets and floors. It's either brown or olive-green with a texture likened to suede, and it irritates the eyes, nose, and throat. Cladosporium can also cause lung infections, sinus infections, and skin lesions without timely mold testing and removal.

4. Stachybotrys Chartarum

Among the most dangerous household molds is stachybotrys chartarum, or black mold. A greenish-black substance often found in ductwork and around vents, these spores also appear anywhere with significant leaks or water damage. Short-term exposure can cause sneezing, watery eyes, congestion, and wheezing, while long-term exposure symptoms include frequent coughing, headaches, fever, breathing difficulties, and severe fatigue.

If you believe your home features these or any other mold species, contact AWA Environmental in Oneonta, Binghamton, Sidney, Coopertown, Ithaca, Norwich, Utica, Catskills, New Paltz, Kingston, Syracuse, Albany, NY and the surrounding areas.  Specializing in mold testing and inspection, you can count on these certified experts to locate your infestation using the latest technology. Call (855) 220-3900 today to schedule mold testing, or visit the company online for more information.