# Black mold harmless cosmetic mold from building materials when constructed?

**URL:** <https://forum.nachi.org/t/black-mold-harmless-cosmetic-mold-from-building-materials-when-constructed/86433>\
**Category:** Ancillary Inspection Services\
**Created:** [April 27, 2014, 1:48am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/black-mold-harmless-cosmetic-mold-from-building-materials-when-constructed/86433 "2014-04-27T01:48:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![sshockley](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/sshockley/32/1321_2.png) [@sshockley](https://forum.nachi.org/u/sshockley)\
**Post date:** [April 27, 2014, 1:48am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/black-mold-harmless-cosmetic-mold-from-building-materials-when-constructed/86433/1 "2014-04-27T01:48:13Z")

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I found what appears to be black mold isolated to the bottom of a couple of floor joist. In that same area/corner of the house there seemed to be a lot of efflorescence. The efflorescence was widespread. Would that be a coincidence or could it be something worth having a mold inspector take a look at? Didn’t find any water in the crawl space at all after heavy rain last night.

![IMG.jpg](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/2/7/279cd66cce1291c956d205af8f57a2ec566557ac.jpeg)

![IMG.jpg](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/2/7/279cd66cce1291c956d205af8f57a2ec566557ac.jpeg)

![IMG_2833.JPG](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/b/3/b3166da6ddde51681d375c6232b4a0979989551f.jpeg)

![IMG_2834.JPG](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/1/2/12a505d6343c503175dbbaf574877e6119baf29f.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![ddagostino](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ddagostino/32/60136_2.png) [@ddagostino](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ddagostino)\
**Post date:** [April 27, 2014, 3:52am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/black-mold-harmless-cosmetic-mold-from-building-materials-when-constructed/86433/2 "2014-04-27T03:52:34Z")

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Both conditions require moisture, or high humidity, coupled with poor ventilation.

Now explain what “black mold” is supposed to mean…

Dom.

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**Author:** ![mauger](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mauger/32/178937_2.png) [@mauger](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mauger)\
**Post date:** [April 27, 2014, 12:13pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/black-mold-harmless-cosmetic-mold-from-building-materials-when-constructed/86433/3 "2014-04-27T12:13:44Z")

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he said he’s not a mold inspector, Dom.

Steve, if you’re not qualified to test/inspect mold, don’t try. Call it for inspection by a mold inspector.

Steve, Be careful with your wording. Black mold refers to a rare very dangerous species, not the color. Calling our black mold in an inspection report could get you in trouble. You can call it mold or bio-growth, but black mold sounds like you’ve identified the species, and you have not, because a lab didn’t look at it.

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**Author:** ![sshockley](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/sshockley/32/1321_2.png) [@sshockley](https://forum.nachi.org/u/sshockley)\
**Post date:** [April 27, 2014, 1:18pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/black-mold-harmless-cosmetic-mold-from-building-materials-when-constructed/86433/4 "2014-04-27T13:18:10Z")

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I’ve always referred to it as organic growth and recommended the client to get a mold inspection for health and safety reasons.