What Does Black Mold Look Like On Wood

Remember that black mold doesn t necessarily have to look black.

Toxic black mold also known scientifically as stachybotrys is a black fungus that dwells on materials that are high in cellulose such as hay paper straw dry wall wet leaves wallpaper carpet ceiling tiles and insulators. It gives whatever surface it grows on the appearance of being dirty so it s often mistaken for dust or mud. Black mold isn t always completely black. Mold can even be blue green orange red or pink on occasion.

It may have a dark greenish hue and when it does the mold colony is probably young. There are more than 300 different strains of mold sometimes found in homes in the united states and they span the rainbow. Black mold on wood commonly appears on one side either bottom or top before it grows larger to the rest of the surface. Stachybotrys mold is dark greenish or black in color and has a slimy texture.

When inspecting for black mold in your home ensure that you cover your nose eyes hands and mouth covered. Thus when looking for black mold check for areas with a high concentration of moisture and dark greenish colors spreading to other areas. Our photo at above right shows black mold colonies as smaller spots growing on the painted surface of cloth covering asbestos pipe insulation. Its appearance may vary somewhat depending on what type of surface it s found growing on though.

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Stachybotrys thrives in damp wet areas with high humidity levels that maintain these environmental conditions for weeks. It can also appear to be grey green and other colors. Black mold officially known as stachybotrys chartarum and sometimes referred to as toxic mold is typically black and slimy in appearance. One thing to distinguish black mold from the wood s natural pattern is looking for the color which is usually in a darker shade than the actual color of the wood.

It is a toxigenic type of mold that can also cause allergic reactions. In our experience black mold typically grows outwards from its point of origin and tends to affect basements garages and attics as well as kitchens and bathrooms. Another way to identify black mold on wood is through the pungent odor that comes from the mold. Stachybotrys is also known as the nefarious black mold.

It is slimy and wet and associated with poor air circulation indoors.