You walk into your basement and catch that smell—musty, damp, unmistakable. Or maybe you’ve noticed dark spots spreading across your bathroom wall. Your stomach drops. Is it black mold? Will it make your family sick? How much will this cost to fix?
If you’re a Northern Michigan homeowner, these worries are real. Our beautiful region—with its lakes, forests, and snowy winters—also creates perfect conditions for mold to grow. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to face this alone, and most mold problems can be solved once you know what you’re dealing with.
Let’s walk through everything you need to know about black mold and mold testing in Michigan in simple terms. We’ll help you understand what black mold is, what to look for, and how to protect your home and family.
What Is Black Mold?
Black mold is a dark-colored fungus that grows in damp places. The type people worry about most is called Stachybotrys chartarum. It looks greenish-black and feels slimy when wet. This and some other types of mold make substances called mycotoxins that can cause health problems. Some people are more sensitive than others, especially kids, elderly family members, and anyone with breathing problems.
Here’s what you should know:
- Not all black-looking mold is the dangerous kind.
- And not all dangerous mold looks black.
That’s why you can’t tell just by looking at it. You need proper testing to know for sure.
Why Northern Michigan Homes Get Mold
Our area is beautiful, but it’s also humid. That moisture in the air—especially near the lakes around Charlevoix, Harbor Springs, and Boyne City—helps mold grow.
Winter brings its own problems. Heavy snow on your roof can cause ice dams. When that ice melts in spring, water can leak into your home. Basements in Gaylord, Kalkaska, and Grayling often get wet from spring flooding.
Cold outside, warm inside—that temperature difference causes condensation on windows and walls. All that moisture feeds mold growth.
Vacation homes face extra risk. If your place in Harbor Spring or East Jordan sits empty all winter with the heat turned down, moisture builds up with no one there to notice.
How Black Mold Affects Your Health
Black mold can make you sick, especially if you’re exposed to it for weeks or months. Common problems include:
- Coughing that won’t go away
- Stuffy nose and sinus pain
- Red, watery eyes
- Skin rashes
- Headaches and feeling tired
- Trouble breathing (worse if you have asthma)
Kids and older adults feel these effects more strongly. So do people with allergies or weak immune systems.
If your family feels sick at home but better when you leave, mold might be the reason. Air quality testing can give you answers and help you fix the problem.
Finding Black Mold in Your Home
Stachybotrys (“black mold”) can look different depending on where it grows. When wet, it’s usually dark greenish-black and slimy. When dry, it looks more powdery. But remember—you can’t identify dangerous mold just by looking. Only lab testing tells you what type of mold you have.
Where to Look for Black Mold
Check these spots in your Northern Michigan home:
- Basements and crawl spaces: Dark, damp, and perfect for mold growth
- Bathrooms: Showers and tubs stay wet
- Kitchens: Watch under sinks and around the dishwasher
- Attics: Roof leaks from ice dams cause problems in Gaylord and Kalkaska winters
- Windows: Condensation creates moisture
- Inside walls: Leaky pipes hide mold where you can’t see it
- Heating and cooling systems: Mold grows in ducts and spreads through your whole house
Remember that mold often grows hidden in places where you can’t see it. Only air quality testing can tell you for sure whether you have harmful levels of mold in your home.
Warning Signs You Need Mold Testing in Michigan
Don’t wait until you see mold. Call for testing if you notice:
- A musty smell that won’t go away
- Water damage from floods, leaks, or ice dams
- Water stains on ceilings or walls
- Health problems that get better when you leave home
- High humidity in your house (feels sticky or damp)
- Water droplets on windows or walls
- Mold problems that came back after cleaning
- You’re buying a home and want to check it first (smart move!)
Professional Mold Testing in Michigan – Gaylord, Traverse City, Petoskey, and Surrounding Areas
Think you have black mold in your Gaylord, Charlevoix, or Harbor Springs home? Professional mold testing gives you real answers, not guesswork.
Scott Frakes, CMI®, has tested Northern Michigan homes for over 12 years. He’s one of the most qualified inspectors in the area. When you work with Scott, you get straight answers you can trust.
How We Test for Mold
Step 1: We Look Around: Scott checks your home for mold, water damage, and wet spots.
Step 2: We Find Moisture: Special equipment finds hidden water and measures how humid your home is.
Step 3: We Test the Air: We collect air samples and send them to a real lab. The lab tells us what mold types are there and how much.
Step 4: We Test Surfaces: If we see mold, we take samples to find out exactly what type it is.
Step 5: You Get a Clear Report: The lab will typically send you results within two or three business days. If needed, we are happy to explain what we found in plain English. You’ll know what the lab results mean and what to do next.
Our professional mold testing in Michigan uses real science, not hunches. You get accurate results that help you make smart choices about fixing the problem.
Why Scott’s Experience Matters
Scott holds the Certified Master Inspector® (CMI®) title. It’s the highest level an inspector can reach. To earn it, inspectors must complete over 1,000 paid inspections, run their business for at least three years, follow strict ethics rules, and pass background checks.
This matters when you’re worried about toxic mold in your home. Scott’s 24+ special certifications and years working in and conducting mold testing in Michigan mean he knows what to look for and how to explain it to you.
Black Mold vs. Other Molds
People worry most about black mold, but thousands of mold types exist. Many look dark or black. Other common molds include:
- Aspergillus: Looks black, gray, or green; can hurt your lungs
- Penicillium: Blue or green mold you often see on old food
- Cladosporium: Olive-green or black mold in cool, damp spots
- Alternaria: Dark brown or black mold in wet areas
Stachybotrys chartarum gets talked about most, but other molds can also make you sick and damage your home. Testing shows exactly what you have, so you can fix it right.
What to Do If You Find Black Mold
Found something that looks like black mold? Here’s what to do:
1. Stay calm, but act fast: Mold spreads quickly, so don’t wait.
2. Don’t touch it: Cleaning it yourself can spread mold spores through the air and make things worse.
3. Call for testing: Phone (989) 370-3683 to set up an inspection with North Point Home & Property Inspections.
4. Fix water problems: Stop leaks, open windows for fresh air, and lower humidity while you wait for results.
5. Keep people away: Don’t let kids, elderly family members, or anyone with breathing problems near the moldy area.
6. Take pictures: Your insurance company might need photos.
Stopping Mold Before It Starts
Preventing mold is easier than removing it. A few simple habits can keep your Northern Michigan home dry and healthy.
Keep Moisture Under Control
The best way to stop mold is to control humidity. Keep indoor humidity under 50% by using a dehumidifier, especially in your basement. You can buy a simple moisture meter at any hardware store to check levels.
Run your bathroom fan during every shower and for 30 minutes after. That wet air needs somewhere to go. Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside your house, never into a room or crawl space. Indoor venting pumps gallons of moisture into your home every time you do laundry.
Check your basement and crawl spaces regularly with a moisture meter. These areas stay damp naturally, so keeping an eye on them helps you catch problems early.
Fix Water Problems Right Away
Water is mold’s best friend. When you spot a leak, fix it that same day if possible. Roof leaks after hard Gaylord or Kalkaska winters need immediate attention. Even small drips from pipes under your sink can create big mold problems if you ignore them.
Clean your gutters twice a year so water flows away from your house. Clogged gutters overflow and soak the ground right next to your foundation. That water finds its way inside and creates perfect mold conditions.
Walk around your house and check that the ground slopes away from your foundation. Water should flow away from your home, not toward it. If you see pooling near your foundation, add soil to create a slope.
Ice dams are a huge problem in Northern Michigan. When you see ice building up on your roof edge, take care of it before it melts into your attic. Many Petoskey and Charlevoix homeowners deal with ice dam damage every winter. Quick action prevents mold from growing in your attic or walls.
Improve Air Flow Throughout Your Home
Fresh air keeps mold away. Open windows whenever the weather allows it. Even on cold days, cracking a window for 15 minutes helps dry things out.
Use fans to move air around, especially in rooms that feel stuffy. Your heating and cooling system helps too, but only if air can flow freely. Don’t block air vents with furniture or curtains.
Older homes in Traverse City and East Jordan sometimes need extra help with ventilation. If your house always feels damp or stuffy, talk to an HVAC professional about adding a whole-house ventilation system.
Stay on Top of Regular Maintenance
A little regular attention prevents big problems. Walk through your home once a month looking for water stains, musty smells, or damp spots. The earlier you catch moisture, the easier it is to fix.
Have your heating and cooling system serviced every year. Technicians clean components where mold likes to hide and make sure everything drains properly.
Watch for condensation during extreme weather. Northern Michigan sees huge temperature swings, especially in spring and fall. When it’s very cold outside and warm inside (or the opposite), moisture can form on windows and walls. Wipe up condensation right away and consider adding insulation to problem areas.
If you own a vacation home near Harbor Springs or Boyne City, check it before winter and again in early spring. Set the heat high enough to prevent condensation, and consider having someone check on it monthly during winter. Empty homes with low heat are mold magnets.
Professional Mold Testing in Michigan: Communities We Serve
North Point Home & Property Inspections helps homeowners all across the region:
- Gaylord: Expert testing with lab analysis
- Charlevoix: Complete mold checks for lakefront homes
- Petoskey: Trusted inspections for homes and businesses
- Traverse City: Professional testing year-round
- Kalkaska: Reliable service with clear reports
- Grayling: Expert detection throughout northern Michigan
- East Jordan: Certified inspections you can count on
- Boyne City: Professional testing for your family’s safety
- Harbor Springs: Experienced service for all properties
Whether you live in Gaylord full-time or own a cottage near Harbor Springs, Scott gives every client the same careful, thorough service.
The Truth About Black Mold
Black mold is serious, but it’s not something you have to face alone. You deserve to know what’s in your home and how to fix it.
Our professional mold testing in Michigan takes away the guesswork and worry. You get clear answers and know exactly what to do next.
Clients love Scott’s careful work, deep knowledge, and genuine care. He explains everything clearly and gets reports to you fast. You’ll understand what’s happening and how to move forward.
Don’t let mold spread or make your family sick. If you think you have black mold, call (989) 370-3683 today for professional testing in Gaylord, Charlevoix, Petoskey, Traverse City, and all surrounding areas.
Ready to protect your home? Schedule your mold inspection today, or learn more about our complete testing process.
Professional inspections and mold testing in Michigan with certified lab analysis
IIAC2-compliant • CMVP certified expert
Serving Gaylord, Petoskey, Traverse City, Charlevoix, and all of Northern Michigan
Scott Frakes, CMI® has been providing thorough, reliable home inspections in Petoskey and throughout Northern Michigan since 2013. His expertise in local construction patterns, historic properties, and climate-related issues helps buyers avoid costly surprises and negotiate with confidence.