Wood discoloration can look a bit scary, but it's non-biological and is not caused by microorganisms such as fungi or bacteria. In contrast to mold, wood discolorations or staining can be caused by sun exposure, naturally occurring enzymes, minerals, fasteners, or even generate from the wood itself.
Wood rot looks like decay, whereas mold on wood usually looks like a discoloration. While mold is by no means good, it is better than wood rot for homes. However, as both wood rot and mold form in damp and humid environments, the presence of mold can signal that wood rot is soon to follow.
Black mold usually appears on wooden surfaces that have a water source nearby. Black mold can also grow on wooden surfaces if there is a nearby water source. Common areas include wood trims on bathroom walls, cabinets underneath kitchen or bathroom sinks, and wooden furniture found in damp basements.
However, the color black isn't unique to Stachybotrys — people often confuse it with similar-colored molds like Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Alternaria, and Dreeschslera. In earlier stages, black mold may appear more greenish-grey or greenish-black in color with fuzzy white edges.
Mildew and mold are both fungi, but mildew is not as invasive or troublesome as other types of mold. Typically found in wet areas, mildew looks grayish-white and may turn brown. It's flat and powdery and it's an easier fungus to clean because it lives only on the surface of a material (such as bathroom tile).
When searching for black mold, look for circular-shaped spots that are black, dark green or dark brown. Some black mold can also take on shades of orange or have flecks of white within it. Most of the time, black mold has a slightly furry appearance.
It is present almost everywhere, including in the air. In general, normal amounts of mold in the environment do not pose a substantial health risk to healthy people with regular immune system function. There is no single type of mold called “black mold” — many molds are black.
Pay attention to the color and consistency: We already talked about black mold above, though it's more accurate to say that Stachybotrys chartarum has a greenish-black hue. Toxic mold can also have a grayish, soot-like texture, or a slimy, wet surface. In some cases, you may even notice furry orange or brown spots.
Black mold usually grows in a circular pattern, often with colonies creating concentric circles. These circles may range from less than an inch to several inches in diameter. Black mold can also grow in irregular patterns, appearing as dark splotches upon walls and floors.
When you have black spots on a hardwood floor that clearly are not growing and spreading, if you can't simply wipe the floor clean, it's not mold. You have other issues, and they are likely not very serious.
Black spots are caused by water that has penetrated the finish completely and entered the wood. They cannot be removed without damage to the finish.
If the mold comes off easily, it is likely that it is not black mold. However, if the mold is difficult to remove or leaves a dark stain, it is likely that you have black mold.” The spots may be small or large, and are often clustered together in one spot, which indicates where moisture has likely gathered over time.
Generally, molds produce spores that are clearly visible as black, white, green, orange, or purple spots on the wood. There are even some molds that are not visible to the naked eye. Mold spores can easily spread to other damp surfaces, including other wood products.
However, because mold also requires moisture to form, its presence is a warning that wood rot could happen. It is easy to spot the differences between mold and wood rot. Wood rot presents as decay, and mold presents as discoloration, usually black or white.
While mold needs moisture to grow, the source does not always have to be water leakage. Mold can grow anywhere even when there is no water present. However, factors such as humid air, water leakages, and damp and dark conditions all contribute towards the spread of molds.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends using a solution of 10 parts water to one part bleach to clean mold from surfaces. gent, 10 parts bleach and 20 parts warm water. The solution should be applied using a bristle brush or sponge to scrub the surface of the wood.
Combine equal parts vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle and spritz this solution on the mold. Let the solution dry for one hour, then wipe down the surface with a moistened cloth, followed by a dry towel.
Aspergillus is black on the surface and usually white-ish or yellow underneath. There are approximately 180 species of it, but you'll often find aspergillus niger growing both in nature and in the damp area of houses. Another species, aspergillus flavus, is yellow-green in color and gold or reddish-brown underneath.
These symptoms usually first appear 2 to 9 hours after exposure and last for 1 to 3 days. Other affected persons have progressive shortness of breath and cough, as well as weight loss. Work-relatedness may only become apparent over long holidays if symptoms resolve and then recur on return to work.
If your wood is rotting and the black spots come with a dank, musty smell, you have black mold. It can appear distinct on different surfaces. On wet surfaces, it looks slimy and on dry surfaces, it looks like ash or soot.
It generally takes long term and consistent exposure to black mold for symptoms to develop. Short term exposure to black mold is unlikely to cause harm in healthy people.
Mold generally looks slimy or fuzzy, tends to have a raised texture, and can come in a rainbow of colors, including deep green and black. Mildew is powdery, looks white or gray, always appears flat, and grows on surfaces.
Most molds produce musty odors that are the first indication of a problem. Mold can grow anywhere there is adequate moisture or a water problem. The best way to find mold is to look for signs of mold growth, water staining, warping, or to follow your nose to the source of the odor.
If you can see or smell mold, a health risk may be present. You do not need to know the type of mold growing in your home, and CDC does not recommend or perform routine sampling for molds. No matter what type of mold is present, you should remove it.