Some people will tell you that black mold is the worst kind to have in your home and that it is easy to identify by its color, but neither of these things are true, unfortunately.
You can’t tell what kind of mold is growing in your home based on the color alone. Additionally, any type of mold can be dangerous when you’re in close contact with it.
Mold color is helpful in identifying what it might be, which may be interesting, but not necessarily useful. It can give you a place to start in identifying the type of mold in your home. From there, more information is needed.
The only way to definitively determine what kind of mold is in your home is to have it tested. Professionals know the characteristics of each type of mold, and they can run tests to determine the mold’s structure to positively identify it.
That being said, the removal process is largely the same for every type of mold, so as long as you have a certified mold pro to handle the removal, they should be able to kill any type of mold.
Mold Colors & What They Mean
The ultimate conclusion is that mold can be any color, and the color doesn’t tell you very much about it.
Common mold colors include black, green, brown, and grey; but it can also be orange, yellow, white, red or purple. You may have heard about black mold before and assumed it was the most dangerous variety, but as we’ll explain in the following points, color is usually the least interesting thing about mold growth.
Here are some things you may not know that are related to mold color:
A single variety of mold can be different colors depending on the stage of growth it is in.
For example, over 100,000 species of mold turn green at some point during their development. That doesn’t necessarily mean it is aspergillus, penicillium, or cladosporium (the 3 most common “green” molds).
Mold colonies change in structure, color, and size within just a few hours, so just when you think you have it identified by color, it could change in 24-48 hours.
Mold color doesn’t necessarily determine how dangerous it is.
You have probably heard of black mold and its dangers. And not to minimize the effects of black mold, but it is only one of several mold varieties that produces mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are what make mold poisonous.
And to complicate matters even more, all mycotoxins aren’t dangerous. This complication is what makes mold testing so important. Some molds are toxic, while others only cause an allergic reaction in some people.
Mold of any color can be a problem.
Any species or stage of mold in your home is a cause of concern. Not only can you have an allergy to mold that makes life pretty unpleasant, but it can also indicate that there has been a water leak or accident that needs attention.
Getting rid of the mold is only one part of the problem. Finding and eliminating the water leak is an equally important task.
The color of mold is less important than the way you react to it.
When it comes down to it, mold color doesn’t matter if you are having a negative reaction to it. Everyone has different reactions to allergens, and on top of that, every case of mold is different. The severity, location, and type can all affect how you react to it.
The way you react to the mold in your home is more important than figuring out exactly what type it is. If you have a bad reaction, then it’s a dangerous species for you.
Mold Remediation from Pure Air Solutions
One final fact about mold is that the removal process is the same regardless of what type of mold you have.
Identifying the type of mold based on color and other factors can be helpful, but it isn’t actually necessary for your mold pros to know what kind of mold is in your home before they remove it.
Here’s what actually is important:
- Identifying the water source and repairing it. If you don’t take remove the moisture source, mold will continue to grow in your home even after professional removal.
- Safety measures! Appropriate personal safety gear and closing off the area/HVAC system are two steps that a professional will take to protect your home and themselves from free-floating mold spores during the removal process.
- Killing mold and removing stains. Mold can be stubborn, so it’s very important to know how to kill it effectively. Removing the stains may not always be possible, although that’s the thing most homeowners are concerned about.
- Doing restoration and making replacements. When mold damage is severe, parts of your home may need extensive repairs that require a contractor’s expertise. Other items, like curtains, carpet and upholstery, usually cannot be restored. Either the mold growth cannot be removed, or the stains left are too severe and leave an unattractive appearance even though the mold is gone.
These things are much more relevant than mold color when it comes to mold effects and mold removal.
TL;DR On Mold Colors
All mold can be dangerous, regardless of color. We generally consider black mold to be the most dangerous, but green, white and yellow molds are also very common and can be dangerous when allowed to grow undisturbed in your home.
Color means nothing when you are trying to determine toxicity. Mold can be purple, blue, or brown, but what matters most is how it affects you and your loved ones.
Reactions to mold include allergy-like symptoms, headaches, skin rashes, and more. People and pets are both at risk for mold reactions when we are breathing it day in and day out inside our homes.
To be sure that your home is clear of mold, have mold testing done by Pure Air Solutions. Our experts can determine what type of mold is present in your home and remove it, making your home a hospitable environment once again.
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