The Numerous Types of Mold

You, like most people, may be surprised to discover there there are thousands of types of mold that could infest and possibly poison you and your home. The good news is that not all mold types are toxic. The bad news is that it's next to impossible for the average person to determine whether or not mold in your home is toxic. Testing must be done by professionals in order to get a proper diagnosis of the type of mold problem you may have. The testing and removal process can be very costly. But most people will agree that the cost is worth it when you consider the damage different types of mold can do to your health and your property.

Most Common Types Of Mold

Of the thousands of mold species that grow in the world, there are three that are most common: allergenic mold, toxic mold and black mold. All molds cause allergy-like symptoms. Some black molds are toxic. But even with these overlaps, these molds do not fall into the same category.

Molds can come in different types of colors. The most common are white, green and black. All types of molds create and release spores that are so small that they're invisible to the naked eye. They're around us all the time.

Toxic mold, as the name implies, is the most dangerous mold of all the different types to have in your home. It can cause severe upper respiratory infections and encephalitis. This mold has also been linked to causing death in the most extreme cases.

There are many ways to remove general molds, but toxic mold is so dangerous it should only be removed by professionals. Professionals are skilled at working with and eliminating bio-hazardous materials like the type of mold categorized as toxic mold. If you suspect you have toxic mold in your home, you need to make sure to get it tested immediately.

Allergenic molds cause allergy-like symptoms. They can cause symptoms in anyone regardless of age, but the very young and the very old will get sick faster from allergenic molds. These types of molds cause symptoms comparable to the common cold including sore throat, watery eyes and stuffy or runny noses. The symptoms can easily be misdiagnosed. It's important to seek a second medical opinion if necessary if you find that symptoms keep returning.

Black molds can be toxic or allergenic. They can also fall into a class on their own. They may not always be toxic, but black molds can cause a great deal of damage. They're responsible for rotting wood, plaster and drywall. They usually grow very fast and it doesn't take long for a small problem turns into a huge infestation that takes over a home if left unchecked.

If you suspect your home is infested with any of the many types of mold out there, you need to get your home tested immediately. You may have a less dangerous species of mold, but piece of mind and good health are important enough to take the precautions. Plus, you could also save yourself a lot of money on rebuilding and reconstruction by preventing mold from taking over your home.