7 Common Places for Finding Mold

The outdoor environment teems with a flurry of mold spores. Mold is a type of fungi and its spores are plentiful and scattered throughout the great outdoors, offering their much-needed skill in eating up the decomposing natural matter, like fallen leaves, to all of nature.

Problems with Mold

The unsightly mold spores only become hazardous to humans when they meander into the inner recesses of home and flourish. Darkness, moisture, and an organic food source are all that are needed to give mold the ample nutrients it needs to survive.

Mold, being easily sustained, finds residential homes and business buildings a reliable place to thrive. Mold latches onto certain areas of a property more often than others, and this is due to the spores being properly nourished.

Homeowners can detect mold through sight and its musty smell. Clusters of mold spores can be identified readily. Simply look for unsightly black or green splotches that suddenly appeared, especially along moisture-rich areas. A powerful, unpleasant waft of musty odor in an enclosed space also may indicate an infestation of mold, whether or not you see it right away.

All of the following include common places for finding mold:

1. Bathrooms
2. Under carpets
3. Kitchens
4. Bedrooms
5. Living rooms
6. Basements
7. Attics

1. Bathrooms

Mold is a familiar sight in bathrooms. The continual humidity and lack of adequate ventilation give mold spores a satisfying place to linger. The ugly black splotches adhere to the grout in between shower tiles. The shower curtain never fails to tempt mold colonies. Even the bottom of shampoo bottles, shower loofahs, washcloths, and toothbrush caddies act as welcoming hosts for mold. The toilet tank and behind the fixture also attract mold.

2. Under Carpets

A homeowner might have accidentally left the windows open during a summer thunderstorm. Or, a leak along the floor leads to soaked carpeting. In either scenario, the homeowner is left with a wet carpet. Unless swift action is taken to address the drenched carpet, mold will likely take hold within as little as 24 hours. Patches of white, black, or green are signs that mold colonies are thriving in the dampness as is the presence of musty odors.

3. Kitchens

People love a great meal—and so does mold. The leftover chicken that has been sitting in the fridge for over a week serves as a logical place for mold to thrive. Expired food is a hotbed for mold spores. Even dirty dishes caked with food particles are not above mold. The spores will latch on fast, and so do the dishes!

Damp areas in the kitchen are plentiful, giving mold an invitation to grow. The fridge’s water dispensers and drip trays should be cleaned regularly since these frequently wet areas attract mold spores.

4. Bedrooms

A wet mattress is a mold infestation waiting to happen. The material from which the mattress is made plus its wetness lures mold colonies within the short span of 24 to 48 hours. Moisture can seep into a mattress from a variety of sources: a leaky or open window, human sweat, or a disastrous household flood.

Never sleep on a moldy mattress! The negative health repercussions are too severe. Respiratory conditions are only aggravated with the close proximity and constant contact with the harmful mold spores.

While the air conditioning vents or heating vents keep the bedroom temperate, mold has the tendency to grow in these darkened spaces.

5. Living Rooms

Flooded homes have a good chance of hosting mold infestations. Dampened furniture and upholstery serve as a mold playground, with their nutrient-rich material and wetness. Even curtains are not safe from mold growth. A musty smell in the area should alert you of a possible mold invasion.

Never overwater the household plants. The moist soil is a feeding ground for mold.

An indoor humidity level maintained between 30 and 50 percent should deter mold. Any level above 50 percent will give mold an invitation to produce.

An unused fireplace, with its darkness, dampness, and porous brick material, are idyllic spaces for mold to breed. Regular, professional chimney sweeps should prevent mold growth.

6. Basements

A flooded basement, a burst pipe in these parts, or a cracked foundation can all lead to mold plaguing your home’s lower level. Eliminate the water source, and the mold has zero opportunities to flourish. The area surrounding the sump pump is another spot where mold can develop.

Basement windows and vents where condensation gathers should be addressed immediately to thwart an attack of mold spores.

7. Attics

At the opposite end of the home, the attic often remains unchecked for mold growth. The lack of proper ventilation, its warmth, and any possible roof or water leaks make the attic an ideal spot for mold spores to circulate. Even the attic’s insulation can harbor mold.

Mold Remediation

Prevent household mold from colonizing your property by addressing any plumbing leaks immediately. Keep the home at an optimum humidity level and allow adequate ventilation throughout your home.

If, despite all your efforts to circumvent mold, you come across mold growth, contact a professional mold remediation service. RestorationMaster not only removes mold but fixes the moisture issue that caused the initial infestation.

The certified technicians at RestorationMaster utilize advanced cleaning equipment and products to thoroughly rid your home of unwanted mold spores. Hidden mold growth is addressed through mold testing techniques.

Mold Removal Process

Professional mold remediation companies have an efficient mold remediation process. The team arrives onsite to assess the damage caused by mold and conduct a test. The technicians then contain the mold to prevent the spores from contaminating other areas of the property. Once the mold remediation process is complete, damaged surfaces are replaced or repaired. Specialists work with your homeowner’s insurance during the entire process.