Water damage causes mold. But what kind of mold? While there are over 100,000 types of mold, only a few are common inside the home. Aspergillus and Acremonium are two species of mold that can occur after water damage. A professional mold remediation specialist can recognize these types of mold and treat them properly. 

Learn more about Aspergillus and Acremonium below, as well as what you can do to prevent mold growth. 

What is Aspergillus? 

Aspergillus grows inside and outside the home, so it’s easy to track indoors where it can grow on your carpet or fabric furniture. It usually grows on damp surfaces, such as walls. This type of mold is unavoidable; however, the good news is that it doesn’t have a high risk of infection for those with healthy immune systems. 

As with all types of mold, Aspergillus can worsen existing allergies and respiratory conditions such as Asthma.

What is Acremonium?

Acremonium is a type of mold that grows inside water-damaged insulation and drywall. As such, this type of mold is commonly found inside attics and closets. However, it can also be found in bathrooms and basements, where water leaks are common. Acremonium needs a high level of moisture to grow, so you can expect this type of mold after experiencing a flood, as well. It can also develop if your HVAC system isn’t working properly and leaves high levels of moisture in the air. 

How to Prevent  Mold Growth 

To prevent these types of mold growths, try to do the following: 

• Routinely inspect your home for water leaks after a storm
• Clean up spills and water leaks as soon as they happen. For small spills, wipe them up with a rag and use a disinfectant. For larger water damage (like floods), remove water-logged items from the area, dry the area, and plug in a dehumidifier to grab excess moisture. 
• Make sure your HVAC system is working properly and recognize the signs of failure, such as excessive heat or stuffiness. 

You should also familiarize yourself with the signs of mold. While this may not prevent growth, it can prevent it from getting worse. The most common signs of mold include: 

• Spots/patches
• Foul, musky odors
• Stained wood

Why Mold Remediation is Necessary

Many household cleaners claim to kill mold but they don’t always treat it at the source. That’s because different species of mold require different treatments. For example, Acremonium can return in a week or two if only treated at a surface level. 

Mold remediation specialists understand this and have tools handy to treat the different species of household mold that develop after water damage. If you experienced a burst pipe or flood, call the mold remediation specialists at California Steam Clean for help. 

At California Steam Clean, Mold Remediation is What We Do. Don’t Delay. Call Us Today to Book an Appointment!

Don’t wait around until mold becomes a bigger problem. At California Steam Clean, mold is one of our top specialties. Give us a call today at (707) 236-8798 to book your mold remediation appointment.