Mold is that icky black stuff that appears in your basement, bathroom or other areas of your home where moisture is present. Mold is more than just unsightly, however. It can be difficult and costly to control, and it can be a sign of other problems in your home.

Here are five things you should know about this far-reaching fungus.

1. Mold is all wet. Moisture leaks and humidity problems can lead to the growth of mold in your home.
    
2. Mold can be hazardous to your health. Mold can exacerbate a variety of health problems including allergies, asthma and other respiratory conditions.
    
3. Molds can be found almost anywhere. Mold can grow on virtually any substance where moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet and foods.
    
4. Mold can damage your home. Moisture and humidity that leads to mold can cause structural damage to your home, such as rot in building materials, that can lead to costly repairs.
    
5. Mold is resilient. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores indoors. The way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.