A number of readers have taken advantage of InspectApedia.com 's feature that allows posting of photos (one per comment, no limit on number of comments) of growths, stains, or substances in or on their home to ask "is this toxic black mold"?
First, of the millions of mold genera/species, there are many that are not black or even dark in color but that can be harmful to humans as an allergen, pathogen or toxin. So the focus on "black mold" can get us in trouble.
Second, knowing the genera or species of mold won't change what needs to be done about it one bit.
- Remove the mold
- Remove moldy materials that can't be cleaned, such as moldy drywall or insulation
- Clean the exposed surfaces
- Find and fix the leak that caused the mold
Third, stuff that is not mold does not usually merit a costly clean-up procedure, normal cleaning may be all that's needed.
Finally, some substances that people ask about can simply be left alone, such as this construction adhesive on the under-side of a plywood subfloor that had worried one of our readers.
See MOLD APPEARANCE - STUFF THAT IS NOT MOLD at https://inspectapedia.com/sickhouse/Stains_Not_Mold.php
and
See MOLD APPEARANCE on VARIOUS SURFACES - INDEX the full list of photographs of the appearance of mold on various building materials & contents.
found at https://inspectapedia.com/mold/Mold-on-Building-Surfaces.php
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