All mold may appear black…
But is it all “black mold”? Black mold is a term that many people have started using to refer to Stachybotrys chartarum, a particularly toxic variety of mold. When people discover mold in their home, it most often appears black in color; the most common assumption then is that they have “black mold”. There are several other varieties of toxic mold that are found in Utah regularly. One other important point is that many varieties of mold that are black in color are actually different strains or varieties of mold. Only through laboratory testing can the actual varieties of mold be identified. A visual inspection cannot tell you what types of mold are present in your home. Finally, just because it isn’t black in color, doesn’t mean it isn’t mold or fungal growth. In my experience, I have seen mold that is pink, green, or even white in color. So be careful of what you read on the internet, and be wary of misinformation. If you have any questions, always contact a certified mold professional, and make sure you are getting accurate information.
Mold is not something that I would suggest handling on your own. I have heard that treating the area with undistilled white vinegar, using a towel to soak up (not scrub out) the vinegar can help. You do have to treat it with baking soda for the smell and then leave a heavy item on top of it for a few days to make sure you get all of the liquid out (otherwise the mold is likely to come back). I would only suggest doing that on a small area. If the affected are is larger than say a small dinner plate I’d call in a professional like the ones on this page or Utah first response at http://utahflooddamage.com/. Best of luck.