Is It Dust or Mold I See in My Home?
One way to check on the health of your Los Angeles area home is to look at what builds up on surfaces like your floors and furniture. If you happen to notice an unusual amount of buildup, it may be either mold or dust, both of which are completely different but look similar to the untrained eye.
Restorerz Emergency Services is one of the best local mold remediation companies with years of experience testing for and removing mold from properties throughout the cities of Gardena, Placentia, Van Nuys, Los Angeles, Glendale, and other areas of California. It’s important to recognize the key differences between dust and mold to help you determine what the buildup is in your Los Angeles area home.
The Key Differences Between Dust and Mold
Several features distinguish between dust and mold. Here are some of the key differences to look for when trying to determine whether you have mold or dust in your home.
Texture and appearance
Dust is comprised of dry, powdery particles, while mold is a living fungus. Mold typically feels slimy or fuzzy to the touch and often appears in patches. Dust settles evenly and won’t normally appear in one singular, concentrated area.
Color
When it comes to black mold vs dust, the name says it all. Black mold is dark in color and tends to look greenish-black. Dust is usually light or dark gray, or it may appear brown and orange depending on the particles it contains. Other forms of mold, like penicillium, may appear white, blue, or green. These distinct color variations make it easier to determine whether you’re dealing with mold or dust.
Smell
Although dust doesn’t have a particularly distinct odor, it can smell slightly earthy, or it may smell like dirt. However, mold is typically characterized by a strong, damp, and musty smell that gets stronger over time and resembles the odor of damp socks or rotten wood. This unpleasant odor is one of the telltale signs of a mold issue, and it becomes stronger as the mold grows and spreads wherever it finds water and food sources.
Location
As you learn how to tell if it’s mold or dirt in your home, consider the location. Even though mold looks like dirt or dust in some cases, dust tends to settle on surfaces thanks to gravity and lands on virtually any area it touches, while mold thrives and spreads in damp, dark, and humid environments with little to no sunlight. Mold can climb up walls and other vertical surfaces, while dust cannot.
Reaction to bleach
One way to determine whether you have dust or mold is to test its reaction to bleach. Dab some bleach with a cotton swab and gently rub it onto the affected area. If it’s dust, it won’t react to the bleach, but if the substance starts changing appearance and gets brighter after a few minutes, it’s likely mold. It’s important to note that DIY methods like using bleach will not “kill” mold or keep it from returning.
Common Places You Might Mistake Mold for Dust
There are several areas around your Southern California home where you might mistake mold for dust. Inspect these areas and use the characteristics listed to help you determine whether dust or mold is present.
- Any areas with leaky pipes under your bathroom and kitchen sinks can encourage mold to thrive and spread.
- Your air ducts are a common breeding ground for mold due to excess moisture that builds up whenever your HVAC system is operating.
- The rubber seal on appliances and the drip pan under your refrigerator can trap moisture, creating the perfect breeding ground for mold.
- Rooms with high humidity, like the bathroom, can experience mold growing on grout and tiles, and around the toilet or sink.
- Anywhere around your AC unit and air vents that appear to be covered in black dust could actually be mold spores, especially if there is a lot of moisture accumulating there.
- When it rains or the weather is humid, condensation can build up on windows and create the ideal area for mold to grow and thrive.
Black Mold vs Dust
Black mold and dust may appear similar at first glance, but there are some distinct differences between them. One of the most significant differences is how black mold affects your health and well-being. Breathing in dust can trigger respiratory symptoms like allergies or asthma, but exposure to black mold can cause other serious health problems like dizziness, nausea, headaches, and fatigue. While dust can’t turn into mold, it can create an environment for mold to settle and germinate.
When To Call a Professional for Mold Inspection
If you suspect that you may have mold, it’s important to know when a professional inspection or mold remediation is required. Mold remediation may take one or two days to several weeks, depending on the severity and how widespread it is. Here’s when to call Restorerz for a mold inspection:
- Your home has experienced significant water damage.
- There’s a strong musty odor in your home.
- You have large visible areas of mold, typically covering between five to 10 square feet or more.
- You or someone in your family experiences an increase in upper respiratory symptoms or other sudden health concerns.
How To Prevent Mold Growth at Home
Unlike dust, mold doesn’t wipe off easily because it can penetrate deep into porous materials. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to prevent mold growth in your Van Nuys, CA area home:
- Install dehumidifiers in damp areas to control moisture and humidity levels.
- Open your windows and turn on ceiling fans to improve ventilation and air circulation.
- Use HEPA air purifiers to capture and remove mold spores and particles from the air and replace your HVAC filters as recommended.
- Clean your home regularly and remove dust by wiping surfaces with a clean rag and a non-toxic cleaning product.
- Store items that are prone to collecting dust in drawers, cabinets, and storage containers.
Contact Restorerz Emergency Services Today
Restorerz Emergency Services is a trusted emergency restoration company serving customers in the city of Glendale and throughout the Los Angeles area. We specialize in mold remediation and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you need a professional mold inspection, testing, or mold remediation, contact us to schedule service today.
