White Mold in Buildings, FAQs
Q&A on detection & identification of white mold contamination in buildings

Questions and answers about white building mold: how to recongize white fungal mold growth.

This article series describes what white mold look like on building surfaces and how hard is this mold to see.

FAQs on How to Spot Light Colored Mold in Buildings

These questions and answers about what white or light colored mold looks like in a building or on building surfaces were posted originally

at WHITE MOLD PHOTOS - be sure to review that article.

On 2019-02-05 by (mod) - possible white mold on joists

Matt

I'm not sure what we're seeing - it looks only somewhat like a mold or fungal growth.

If the joists are treated wood we could also be seeing salts from a borate or similar treatment.

Certainly the amount visible is trivial - if that's all there is.

A more significant concern might be hidden and larger mold reservoirs in the insulation or on the subfloor hidden by the insulation (I'm guessing your photos are showing the underside of floor joists).

That concern would be greater if there are signs of moisture or water in the crawl area.

On 2019-02-05 by Matt B.

Another image related to the question in my previous comment.

On 2019-02-05 by Matt B.

I’m a real estate agent and spotted what might be white mold deposits on the joists in the crawlspace of my client’s potential home.

But I’m not seeing any photos on your site that look exactly like this. Can you tell if these deposits are something my client should be concerned about?

On 2017-06-01 by (mod) - how do you get rid of white mold?

Cheryl,

At https://inspectapedia.com/mold/Mold_Cleanup_Guide.php

You will find step-by-step procedures to remove, clean up, or get rid of mold contamination in your home

On 2017-06-01 by Cheryl

How do you get rid of it

On 2017-03-02 by (mod) - are regular triangular shaped things with threads on them white mold?

Thank you, Anon.

Becky:

regular triangular-shaped somethings with threads hanging out of them - don't sound like mold. But you're welcome to use the page to or bottom CONTACT link to send us some sharp photos for comment.

Yes water leaks into a building floor, ceiling, or wall can stimulate a hidden mold colony.

On 2017-03-02 by Anonymous

This site has been the best so far at showing the different kinds of mold and what is dangerous or not

On 2017-03-02 by Becky

White triangular shapes in paint with thread like coming from it what is it? I see in bathroom and some in other walls of house.

My husband and I are sick with lots of symptoms but don't know where it's coming from. Had a leak under sink but cleaned it up can it be behind wall?

On 2016-06-27 by (mod) - what is this white dust on beams in our garage?

I can't say, from just your e-text, Steve what the white dust might be. Look at the growth patterns of mold shown in the many photos of mold in this article series:

mold is a biological substance that does not grow on surfaces as uniformly as would deposits of dust.

On 2016-06-27 by Steve

In our garage, several beams seem to have a soft white dust on them. Is this likely mold? I thought it was white at first but it's a kind of light grey or light clay color. To the touch it's soft and feels powdery though it is actually not powdery, if that doesn't sound too confusing.

On 2016-06-02 by (mod) - how do I clean white downy mold on beams and insulation?

Karen, please search InspectApedia for HOW TO CLEAN MOLD to read cleanup details.

If your insulation is moldy it needs to be removed and disposed-of; then clean the insulation bays or areas before re-insulating. And of course find and fix the leaks that caused the problem.

On 2016-06-02 by Karen

So how do I clean white downy mold on beams and insulation? I sticks out like mini plants

On 2016-03-19 by (mod) - what's the best way to get rid of white mold?

Holly

Clean hard surfaces that can be cleaned using any household cleaner; soft goods such as drywall need to be removed and thrown away and exposed building cavities cleaned.

Find and fix the cause of the mold growth. That means find and fix leaks or sources of high indoor humidity.

Search inspectApedia.com for HOW to GET RID OF MOLD to read detailed procedures

On 2016-03-19 by Holly

What's the best way to get rid of white mold?

Reader comment:

(Dec 12, 2014) Anonymous said:
This site was very helpful regarding mold.

Reply:

Thanks, Anon. We also wecome content critique, suggestions, or questions.

...

Continue reading at WHITE MOLD PHOTOS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• MOLD APPEARANCE - WHAT MOLD LOOKS LIKE
• EFFLORESCENCE SALTS & WHITE DEPOSITS - for examples of moisture-related white deposits that are not mold.
• HUMIDITY CONTROL & TARGETS INDOORS for an example of white mould occurring in a U.K. home with venting & humidity questions.
• LIGHT AIM FINDS MOLD & OTHER PARTICLES - how to use your flashlight successfully
• LIGHT COLORED MOLD - more light coloured moulds besides white can be hard to spot
• LIGHT, FLASHLIGHT for MOLD - proper lighting shows up hard-to-spot mold
• MOLD APPEARANCE - WHAT MOLD LOOKS LIKE - a Photo ID Library for detection and identification of mold allergens on indoor building surfaces.
• MOLD APPEARANCE - STUFF THAT IS NOT MOLD
• MOLD GROWTH on SURFACES, PHOTOS
• WHY DOES MOLD GROW in INSULATION? that includes photos and test results examining suspected mold on the surface of fiberglass-lined HVAC ductwork.

Suggested citation for this web page

WHITE MOLD PHOTO FAQs at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to MOLD CONTAMINATION & REMEDIATION

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