Is Black Mold Fuzzy?
Both forms of black mold you’re likely to find in a house are so fuzzy that you might think they’re growing hair! In spite of the name, it generally grows long slender furs that are actually a very dark green color.
When mold is getting ready to produce spores and reproduce itself, it might start to get even fuzzier in appearance. This is because it’s growing more threads, which can produce additional spores to spread the organism even further.
Is Black Mold Hard?
Black mold normally isn’t hard, but over time it can dry out and form a sort of crust on any surface that it’s adhered to. This is an especially big problem in areas that go from extremely humid to dry in a short period of time.
When black mold forms on rough or painted surfaces, it can start to take on some of the characteristics of the underlying structure. That’s why it may start to seem somewhat hard even if it’s still wet.
It doesn’t really matter whether the mold is truly starting to harden or it’s just adhering really well to the surface it’s grown on. In either case, it can be pretty hard to get rid of.
Is Black Mold Rare?
Sadly, black mold growth is entirely too common and it can form anywhere that’s warm, dark and moist. If you leave a home shut without any windows open and no AC unit running, then black mold could even grow throughout the entire structure.
Stachybotrys, which is the organism that’s commonly referred to as black mold, is among the three most common types of molds that grow in homes. Only cladosporium, which is so-called green mold, and the bread mold aspergillus are more common.
Is Black Mold Greasy?
Unless it gets dried out, black mold tends to get extremely greasy. When stachybotrys colonies start to grow, they usually absorb a lot of moisture from the area around them.
Eventually, this makes the area slick and can even prevent you from cleaning up the mess that this organism starts to make.
Is Black Mold Mildew?
Most people use mildew as a generic term for every type of fungus that grows on damp surfaces. S. chartarum, one of the two types of black mold, is often referred to as mildew.
That being said, it has nothing to do with the pink mildew that grows inside of shower stalls, which is a yeast called Rhodotorula. Nevertheless, you often find the two organisms growing in the same areas.
Is Black Mold Sticky?
Depending on how much moisture a colony of black mold has absorbed, it can start to become extremely sticky. If you have mold growing in a shower or closet, then there’s a chance that it could start to adhere to other objects located around the colony.
Wear a pair of gloves if you’re cleaning up mold growth, because you may find that this type of mold can even stick to your fingers.
Is Black Mold Lethal?
While black mold isn’t expressly lethal, it could potentially kill someone if they have a strong enough allergic reaction to it. In some areas, houses with excessive amounts of black mold have to be demolished because of laws designed to protect allergy sufferers.
Most people won’t suffer extreme ill effects by being exposed to black mold. You should seek medical help if you have any difficulty breathing or feel any of the symptoms of shock after coming into contact with a mold colony.
Rooms that have a severe amount of mold growth should be picked over by contractors to reduce the risk of anyone developing serious medical problems.
Is Black Mold Powdery?
Usually, black mold only gets powdery when it’s starting to dry out and flake. In spite of the fact that it might be inert at this point, the powdered flakes can still cause an allergic reaction in many people and should still be taken as a serious threat.
When you clean off dried mold, it’ll also sometimes flake off or turn into a powder. A simple hardware store-grade respirator mask and carpenter’s goggles should usually be enough to help when cleaning it off.
Is Black Mold Visible?
When it first starts growing, you probably won’t be able to see any evidence of mold. Most people can see at least some spots after the first day or two that a colony starts to take hold of a surface.
Once black mold grows large enough, you’ll be able to see it from a distance. Since it’s not truly a black color, it should should show up even on pieces of furniture that have been treated with dark lacquer or shellac.
Is Black Mold Like Tar?
Though black mold looks somewhat like tar, they’re actually two different things. Mold is a living organism that survives by decomposing whatever substance that it’s growing on.
Over time, mold actually reproduces and spreads much in the same way that a plant would. While tar is made up of organic material, it isn’t alive and therefore can’t reproduce.
Since black mold does start to become greasy after a while, care should be taken not to mistake it for tar in facilities where tar is commonly used.
Can Black Mold Travel?
When a colony of black mold is in place, it can’t really travel to another location. It can, however, spread and creep along a set path.
As mold continues to spread, it can potentially cover hundreds of feet if given an opportunity to do so. Eventually, it’ll release spores so that it can reproduce further.
While mature black mold colonies aren’t able to travel, these spores can be taken nearly anywhere if they’re attached to a person or a fuzzy animal like a dog. That’s why it’s important to clean up after you’ve done any kind of mold removal work.