How to Tell the Difference Between Mold and Asbestos in Your Home
It starts the same way for most homeowners.
You’re in the attic, basement, or crawl space and you notice a patch of gray, white, or fuzzy material.
At first glance, it could be mold. But it could just as easily be asbestos.
Both are silent hazards that can cause serious health problems if disturbed — and both require professional testing to know for sure.
At Advance Environmental, Inc. (AEI), we regularly help Olympia and Western Washington homeowners identify what they’re really looking at before they take the wrong next step.
Here’s how to tell the difference between mold and asbestos — and what to do if you find either one in your home.
Mold vs. Asbestos —
What They Actually Are
Though they might look similar, mold and asbestos are completely different hazards.
Mold is a living organism — a fungus that grows in damp, humid areas. You’ll often find it on drywall, wood, or near leaky plumbing. It spreads through spores and can cause allergic reactions, respiratory irritation, and long-term health effects.
If you think you are dealing with mold, learn how we can help you here
Asbestos, on the other hand, is a naturally occurring mineral once used for insulation and fireproofing. It was banned in most residential uses by the late 1980s but is still found in thousands of older Washington homes — in floor tiles, ceiling texture, siding, and pipe wrap.
The danger comes when asbestos fibers become airborne. They’re microscopic, can stay suspended for days, and can cause severe illnesses including mesothelioma and lung cancer.
If you think you are dealing with asbestos, learn how we can help you here
Key Visual Differences
While testing is the only way to know for sure, here are some clues to help you spot the difference:
Quick Tip:
If you see something gray or white that looks like cotton or paper but has no smell — do not touch it. Call a certified asbestos inspector immediately.
Health Risks of Each Substance
Both hazards are dangerous — but they affect the body differently.
Mold Exposure
Triggers allergies and asthma
Causes coughing, sore throat, fatigue
Can lead to long-term respiratory inflammation
Asbestos Exposure
Fibers can lodge deep in the lungs
May cause mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer
Often takes decades for symptoms to appear
If you’re unsure which one you’re dealing with, never try to remove it yourself.
Even cleaning mold with a household product can spread spores — and disturbing asbestos without proper containment is a serious health risk.
When to Get Professional Testing in Olympia
If you’re remodeling an older home or notice unusual materials, professional testing is the only way to know what you’re facing.
Call a certified inspection company like AEI if you see any of these signs:
Discolored or fuzzy growth on walls or insulation
Crumbling insulation, drywall, or ceiling texture
Water damage or humidity in older homes
Suspicious floor tiles, siding, or duct wrap
You plan to remodel or demolish a pre-1980 structure
At AEI, our certified technicians take samples safely and send them to accredited labs for definitive results — no guesswork, no exposure risk.
How AEI Protects Your Home and Family
As a certified environmental contractor based in Olympia, WA, Advance Environmental, Inc. provides both mold remediation and asbestos inspection/removal services under one roof.
Our licensed team follows Washington State Department of Ecology and Labor & Industries regulations to ensure your property is handled safely and legally.
Whether it’s a small crawl space or a full commercial building, we’ll identify the hazard, contain it, and restore your home to a safe, healthy environment.
📞 Call (360) 357-9144 or contact us here to schedule an asbestos or mold inspection in Olympia or anywhere in Western Washington.