Where to Look for Mold In Your House

Mold can have a mild to a tremendously negative effect on your quality of life, so it’s important to look for it on a regular basis. The problem is that mold can grow in unexpected places and, therefore, can go undetected and grow undeterred for long periods of time. If you’ve ever wondered where mold might be growing in your home, the possibilities may surprise you.

Mold Comes from the Air

What most people don’t know about mold is that even though we can see it growing on surfaces, mold technically begins from tiny, floating spores in the air. When those spores start to collect on a surface, they begin reproducing, resulting in the musty-smelling fungus that we can actually see.

Mold and Indoor Air Quality

Mold and mold spores alike can have noticeably negative effects on your home’s air quality. The people most susceptible to mold’s associated health risks are children, the elderly, individuals with asthma or other respiratory conditions, and the allergy-prone. Even mold spores can trigger allergic reactions or asthma attacks if inhaled.

Where to Look for Mold

Where should one look for mold? Unfortunately, the answer is “Every room in the house.” This is because each room potentially has the right conditions to support mold growth. In order for mold spores to grow into mold, they require heat, oxygen, a surface to which they can attach, and some absence of sunlight. Excess water from high humidity or leaks in these conditions can pretty much guarantee that a mold problem will occur.

Here are some guidelines on where you can look for mold in your home.

The Kitchen

Mold can spread from old food in the refrigerator and pantry, along with food spills or splatters on the stove or in the microwave. Mold can also grow in your refrigerator’s water dispenser or drip tray. Even a Keurig or other coffee makers can foster mold growth in its water tank or the place where you put the pods or coffee grounds.

Checking the sink is especially vital. Mold and bacteria can get a jumping-off point from wet sponges, dirty dishes, and food remnants. Leaks underneath the sink can result in mold growth down there as well.

The Bathroom

Many people know to check their bathroom walls, floors, shower tiles, and bathtub for mold since those surfaces experience an abundance of heat and moisture. However, there are other important places to check as well, particularly if your bathroom lacks a window or fan to help with ventilation.

As in the kitchen, you’ll want to check in and under the sink. It’s also critical to check your toilet, including its tank and where you keep its cleaning supplies. Towels and bathroom rugs can also be “mold culprits” if not regularly washed. Even your toothbrush caddy can start to accumulate mold over time!

The Living Room

You’ll want to inspect anything upholstered or made of fabric, particularly your curtains, couch, and armchairs. Mold spores attach easily to fabric, and if something causes the fabric to then become moist, some nasty growth may occur. Also, remember to check your houseplants (especially if you are prone to overwatering them) and your chimney and fireplace (particularly if they’re made with brick).

The Bedrooms

It’s not at all comforting to think about, but mold spores find their way into bedrooms too. Check your HVAC vents (this goes for any room), the edges of your windows, your curtains, and your mattress. If you cannot see mold on your mattress, its smell might be an indicator that some growth has occurred.

Don’t Forget the Attic, Garage, and Basement!

Mold can grow in these spaces from leaks as well as excess humidity that results in condensation. This can be especially problematic when these spaces house components of your home’s heating and air conditioning system. Once mold spores enter your HVAC system, they’ll be spread throughout the entire house, which can lead to larger mold problems in even more places. Check for mold growth near vents, pipes, windows, and by the foundation.

To help prevent the growth of mold in your home, it’s important to 1) have a clean attic, crawlspace, and air ducts, and 2) clean up any water damage immediately. For those places you can’t get to, contact GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration for professional, bio-friendly attic, crawlspace, and air duct cleaning services.