Common Mold Types in Texas homes

Common Mold Types Found in Texas Homes — And Why It Matters

When it comes to mold, most people think of just one thing: black spots on the wall and a musty smell. But did you know there are thousands of mold species, each with different characteristics, health risks, and treatment methods?

At Mold Consultant Group, we conduct certified lab testing to identify the exact types of mold found in homes across Montgomery, The Woodlands, Spring, Conroe, Willis, Tomball, Magnolia, and Cypress. Here's a closer look at the most common molds we encounter — and why proper identification is so important.

From black mold (Stachybotrys) to fast-spreading species like Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Chaetomium, mold in your home can come in many forms — and each type brings different risks.

🧫 1. Cladosporium

• Color: Green, brown, or black

• Where it grows: Wood, HVAC vents, carpets, insulation

• Health risks: Allergic reactions, respiratory irritation, asthma-like symptoms

Cladosporium is one of the most common outdoor molds — but it often enters homes through open windows or HVAC systems. Once inside, it thrives on damp building materials and can quickly become a hidden threat to your indoor air quality.

🧫 2. Aspergillus

• Color: White, green, yellow, or black

• Where it grows: Walls, ceilings, air ducts, dust

• Health risks: Respiratory infections (especially in immunocompromised individuals), allergy-like symptoms

Aspergillus is frequently found indoors — even in homes that appear clean. Low levels are often harmless, but elevated spore counts can signal a moisture issue that needs immediate attention.

🧫 3. Penicillium

• Color: Blue, green, or white

• Where it grows: Water-damaged drywall, wallpaper, insulation

• Health risks: Sinus infections, lung inflammation, allergic reactions

Known for its fast spread and distinct musty odor, Penicillium often shows up after a leak or flood. Its microscopic spores can travel quickly through air currents, making it critical to act fast once it's detected.

🧫 4. Stachybotrys chartarum (a.k.a. Black Mold)

• Color: Dark green to black

• Where it grows: Constantly wet drywall, ceiling tiles, wood, paper products

• Health risks: Fatigue, breathing issues, neurological symptoms (from mycotoxins)

Often labeled as “toxic black mold,” Stachybotrys isn’t the most common, but it is the most feared — and for good reason. It grows in areas with ongoing water damage and requires professional remediation to ensure safe removal.

🧫 5. Alternaria

• Color: Dark green or brown, with a velvety appearance

• Where it grows: Bathrooms, window sills, under sinks

• Health risks: Asthma flare-ups, upper respiratory irritation

Alternaria thrives in damp, humid spaces and spreads fast in dust. It’s one of the most common molds linked to seasonal allergies and asthma symptoms, especially in bathrooms or around windows.

🧫 6. Chaetomium

• Color: White to gray, often turning dark brown or black as it matures

• Where it grows: Wet drywall, baseboards, ceiling tiles, wood framing, and insulation

• When it appears: After water damage or leaks, especially in hidden or poorly ventilated areas

• Health risks: Skin and nail infections, sinus and respiratory irritation, and potential mycotoxin exposure in sensitive individuals

Chaetomium is often mistaken for other molds, but it’s a serious indicator of chronic moisture and should never be ignored.

🧫 7. Fusarium

• Color: Pink, white, or reddish-purple (sometimes with a cottony texture)

• Where it grows: Water-damaged carpet, wallpaper, fabric, drywall, and HVAC systems

• When it appears: After flooding, plumbing leaks, or prolonged humidity

• Health risks: Sinus and respiratory infections, Allergic reactions, Serious infections in immunocompromised individuals, Can produce trichothecene mycotoxins, which may cause gastrointestinal distress and immune system suppression

Fusarium is one of the few molds that can grow in colder temperatures, and it spreads rapidly once water damage occurs — often in places you don’t see right away.

🔬 Why It’s Important to Know What Kind of Mold You Have

Not all molds are equally dangerous or treated the same way. Each species has unique:

• Health effects

• Moisture and temperature preferences

• Response to cleaning methods

Identifying the mold species allows us to determine:

• How urgent the remediation is

• What type of containment or protection is required

• How to prevent the mold from returning

At Mold Consultant Group, we take air and surface samples, then send them to a licensed lab for in-depth analysis and mold spore counts. This ensures that we treat not just the symptoms — but the source.

🏡 Serving Texas Homeowners with Expert Mold Testing

Our team provides thorough mold assessments, lab testing, and clearance inspections in:
Montgomery | The Woodlands | Spring | Conroe | Willis | Tomball | Magnolia | Cypress

We work with homeowners, realtors, landlords, and restoration contractors to ensure safe, clear, and confident remediation strategies.

📞 Suspect Mold in Your Home?

Call 832-280-4747 or schedule your professional mold inspection today at 👉 www.moldconsultantgrp.com

🧠 Not all mold is toxic — but all mold is worth understanding.
Let us help you find out exactly what you're dealing with, and how to stop it from spreading.