You recently found a black stain in your bathroom. Should you be worried? 

Due to their high humidity levels and often poor ventilation, bathrooms are notorious for mold growth—which means those black spots on your ceiling or around your tub are definitely a cause for concern. 

The good news is that not all black mold is the toxic kind of black mold. However, since exposure to any type of indoor mold growth can be harmful to your health, it is important to have a general understanding of the different kinds of mold and how to safely remove them from your home. 

What is mold? 

Mold is a type of fungi that can be found both indoors and outside your home. 

Because it thrives in moist conditions, mold will grow anywhere it can find a wet or humid environment. This makes rooms such as bathrooms, kitchens, and damp basements highly susceptible to mold growth. 

Based on specific characteristics, mold is classified into one of three main types: 

• Allergenic mold may cause or aggravate allergy symptoms. 
• Pathogenic mold may trigger infection in certain people. 
• Toxigenic mold produces toxic chemicals called mycotoxins, which can be extremely harmful (even to healthy humans and pets). 

Are mold and mildew the same thing? 

Actually, no. While the two have several similarities—both are fungi, both love moisture, both grow on a variety of surfaces, and both can cause health problems—their primary differences are in the way they look, how they grow, and where you might find them. 

• Mold can come in a variety of colors, while mildew is typically white or light gray, sometimes turning yellow or brown. 
• Mold will penetrate deeply into a material (such as wood or drywall), but mildew has shallow roots and stays on the surface—usually making it easier to clean. 
• Mold grows in large spots or fuzzy patches, while mildew is generally powdery in appearance, often looking like a collection of very small dots.

Why is black mold so dangerous?

When you hear people talk about black mold, they are likely talking about toxic black mold, otherwise known as Stachybotrys chartarum. 

As you may have guessed already, black mold is a toxigenic mold. It releases toxic compounds into the air that can cause severe health problems, ranging from worsening allergy symptoms to infections, inflammation, and even neurological effects.

Stachybotrys chartarum will generally appear dark green or black, typically with a slimy texture. Unlike many other types of mold that carry a musty odor, it has been described as having an earthy, decaying smell, similar to rotting leaves or vegetation.

Bottom line: No mold is good mold. 

If you do see evidence of mold growth in your bathroom, resist the temptation to just wipe it away with an everyday cleaning spray—or worse, bleach. The problem likely extends beyond what you can visibly see, so the smart move is to call a professional. 

Do a quick inspection of the entire bathroom and make a note of where you see the mold, what it looks like, and whether or not there is an unpleasant odor in the room. Chances are, the black spots in your bathroom are not Stachybotrys chartarum, but it is always better to be safe than sorry. 

CT Mold Pros provides extensive mold removal and remediation services for Connecticut homeowners. Our trained and certified mold specialists have the expertise necessary to properly identify and address your mold problem so that you and your family can rest easy knowing your health is protected. 

Call (203) 920-0265 or fill out our online form to learn more.