Active mold growth is slimy or fuzzy and is usually green, black, orange, or purple. Inactive mold is dry and powdery and is typically white. In early stages, mold may look like a web and while in full bloom it looks bushy. Even when unseen, wet spots, dampness, or evidence of water damage will indicate a moisture problem and mold will probably follow. You can perform a simple test to detect if a suspected spot is moldy. Lightly touch the spot with a drop of household bleach. If the stain loses its color or disappears, it may be mold. If there is no change, it is probably not mold. Another indicator of mold presence is an odor. Mold has a musty, earthy smell that can indicate its presence even if it cannot be seen. “Small” to “Moderate” to “Extensive” Area MoldSmall Area Mold: Up to 3 patches of mold, each smaller than 10 square feet, is considered a “small” area mold. However, keep in mind that small moldy areas will become larger over time, if neglected, so clean up and remove even small areas of mold. “Moderate” Area Mold: If there are more than three patches but each patch is smaller than 10 square feet, it is considered moderate area mold. It is also considered moderate area mold, if there is one patch, larger than 10 square feet but smaller than 32 square feet. “Extensive” Area Mold: A mold area is considered “extensive” if a single patch of mold is larger than 32 square feet.