Recognizing Mold – What It Is and Isn’t

1/30/2022 (Permalink)

Mold can grow anywhere.

Most property owners know to have a high index of suspicion if you see something black and furry growing on your walls. But do you really know what’s black mold and what’s something else? Knowing the difference can make a big difference for your wallet, not to mention your peace of mind. A house mold inspection is your best bet but here are also a few tips for knowing what is mold in your Pittsville, TX, home, and what’s not mold.

Understanding Mold

Recent years have seen mold gain lots of media attention. It’s not always harmful – indeed, some forms are used to make medicines. But some of the nastier sorts have been linked to:

• Unpleasant smells
• Damaged property

What Mold Isn’t

Surprisingly, there are numerous mold lookalikes.

- Mildew
This actually is a kind of mold. But mildew tends to grow on flat surfaces and causes far less damage than mold.

- Dirt
With its black, sooty and caked-on appearance, dirt can be a surprising lookalike for mold. But even stubborn dirt doesn’t require professional removal – just a sponge and some elbow grease.

- Soap Scum
Gathering in wet areas, soap scum can also darken and look like mold. But soap scum doesn’t tend to smell and like dirt, it’s easily removed with a little effort. A mold inspection can help spot the difference.

What Mold Is
So, we know what isn’t mold, but what is? You can get some general clues if what you are seeing is:

• black and velvety in appearance
  
• has a musty odor
  
• doesn’t wipe off
  
• is in a dark area
  

The best way to know what you’re dealing with for sure is to get a mold inspection. Next, you’ll know what steps to take for mold removal and to ultimately get your property back in tip-top condition.