One of the most common members of the fungus family is mold, and with over 500 species known in the GTA, mold testing in Toronto is a valuable tool in keeping your home clean and safe.  At MoldTech, we’ve helped hundreds of families with black mold removal, mold inspection, and remediation services, improving indoor air quality and home safety through timely and trustworthy services.

What is Mold?

When we talk about mold, we’re not talking about a handful of species but a family of thousands (if not millions) of microorganisms. Present on all continents, mold is a key player in natural decomposition and life cycle. The problems occur when mold enters our home and begins decomposing things like walls, furniture, flooring, and more.

Beyond this physical decomposition, mold affects human and pet health through mycotoxins and spores. These tiny particles affect the respiratory system, eyes, skin, and more, making you or your family feel very ill. 

Three Types of Mold

There are three basic categories of mold:

• Allergenic mold: These species of mold are a significant trigger for asthma attacks, though they may not be toxic on their own. 
• Pathogenic mold: Molds that are pathogenic cause disease. Candida fungus is one of the most common pathogenic molds. 
• Toxigenic mold: These molds produce toxic substances and are the most dangerous type to find in your home. 

5 Common Household Molds

Alternaria

• Type of mold: Allergenic.
• Where: Bathrooms and damp areas. 
• Appearance: Dark gray-green to black.
• Frequency: Widespread. 
• Symptoms: Allergic reactions like sneezing, hay fever and asthma. 

Chaetomium

• Type of mold: Allergenic.
• Where: Areas with water damage from floods or leaks. 
• Appearance: Fuzzy white to bluish-green. 
• Frequency: Very common. 
• Symptoms: Respiratory complaints, skin and nail infections. 

Serpula

• Type of mold: Allergenic.
• Where: Find it growing on wooden surfaces that have been exposed to water but have dried out.
• Appearance: White to reddish brown.
• Frequency: Rare. 
• Symptoms: Serpula has mild allergenic effects but damages and weakens wood very quickly. More commonly known as dry rot.  

Stachybotrys Chartarum

• Type of mold: Toxigenic.
• Where: Damp or humid areas.  
• Appearance: Dark blue, red, or green to black. 
• Frequency: Common. 
• Symptoms: Poor indoor air quality, severe health problems, or acute illness. If you suspect Stachybotrys, you need a black mold removal ASAP.

Mucor

• Type of mold: Allergenic.
• Where: Water-damaged materials, especially textiles like carpets or mattresses. 
• Appearance: White to grey.
• Frequency: Very common. 
• Symptoms: AKA pin mold for its small, pin-like growth structure, mucor can cause mucormycosis, a severe but rare fungal disease that commonly affects the sinus and respiratory system.  

Mold Removal & MoldTech to Protect Your Home

The five species of mold we’ve named today pack a pretty heavy punch — but hundreds more are out there. Get to the bottom of your strange cough or a strange smell with mold testing in Toronto. Mold growth affects single-family homes, condos, workplaces, and more, and testing for it is simple and non-invasive. To learn more about MoldTech’s services and how we do mold removal in Toronto, reach out online or by phone to speak to a technician. 

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