Where is Mold Hiding in Your Home?
Where is mold hiding in your home? You might be surprised to find it’s not just in the bathroom or kitchen. In fact, it could be lurking somewhere you can’t even see it. Don’t let mold become a big problem in your home. Know where to look for it and take the next steps to remove it to keep you and your family healthy.
The Kitchen
Sink and Garbage Disposal
Even a small kitchen sink leak can turn into a huge problem. Regularly check underneath the sink, fix any leaks, and dry any water that’s pooled underneath. Not only can this prevent mold growth, it can prevent your cabinet and floor boards from warping too.
Refrigerator
There are two places mold could be growing in or around your fridge: the water line and the ice dispenser. A water line running to an ice dispenser in the fridge can soon turn from a simple convenience into a big issue. Check these two areas every once in a while, but if you notice green or black flakes in your ice or water dispenser, you have a mold problem.
You can clean your refrigerator’s ice dispenser with the right tools, and cleaning the water line may be as simple as using a pipe cleaner and non-toxic mold remover. If you aren’t comfortable cleaning it yourself, you can hire a mold remediation specialist to take care of it for you.
Dishwasher
Even a well-maintained dishwasher can spring a leak. If you notice any water on the floor while you are washing your dishes, check for a deeper problem.The inside of your dishwasher gets dirty too. Keep your dishwasher clean with a good cleaner every once in a while to prevent mold growing from old food stuck in the system.
The Laundry Room
HVAC System
Your AC pulls water from the air when it pulls hot air and replaces it with colder air. If something goes wrong with that process, it can lead to mold. The drain line can get clogged, which leaves water pooling back in your home, creating the perfect environment for mold.
Another common problem is that the drain pan can get damaged or overflow, creating pools of water that are mold disasters waiting to happen. If you’re seeing water pooling around your AC system, don’t wait. Get a professional to inspect your system, and if you do see it, take action to remove it immediately.
Ductwork
Mold can be a problem both in your ducts and where there are leaks. If your ductwork has a leak, air and moisture can escape, causing growth in areas that are not designed for water. Ensure your air flow rates are within the designed range to prevent this from happening.
Ceiling Tiles
Because of how porous they are, ceiling tiles can easily absorb moisture. When they are in areas near vents, this will almost certainly lead to mold if not properly managed. In addition to this, leaking pipes above these tiles can also cause damage. If you do have a mold problem, it’s better to replace the tiles so spores hidden in the pores don’t grow back.
Living Room and Bedrooms
Carpet
Carpet throughout your home comes in contact with dirt, spills, food, water, mud, and more. When not properly cleaned and dried, your carpet can become a breeding ground for mold. Even worse, this growth can go quite some time without being identified. Always be aware of dusty or musty scents and clean your carpet on a regular basis to prevent it from growing in the first place.
Electrical Equipment
It may be surprising to realize that mold can grow around fixtures and cables in your home. Look deeper at the wall surrounding electrical switches. If the gaps are too large, moisture can get trapped in the wall, leading to mold growth.
Windows
Mold can be found around the edges of windows no matter if it’s wood, metal, or vinyl framed. When condensation forms, particularly in the colder months, the water can be trapped in the frame, making it a breeding ground. Check your frames regularly and dry any condensation that’s formed to prevent it from growing. If you do see signs of growth, don’t wait for it to get worse, clean it immediately with vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or lemon juice and salt.
Bathroom
Toilets
Mold can easily grow around the toilet. Keep your bathroom clean and regularly check harder-to-reach areas such as behind the toilet for any growths. If you clean your toilet with bleach, don’t accidentally combine it with ammonia, as the combination creates a toxic gas.
Showers
Steam from the shower can cause mold not only in the shower or tub, but along the walls, ceiling, and other parts of the bathroom. Always shower with the bathroom fan on to prevent it from growing.
Towels
Not allowing your towels to dry properly can lead to mold damage. After you shower, hang them up to dry instead of throwing them on the floor or in a dirty clothes hamper. Wash them often as well to keep them clean and prevent mildew.
Attic
Mold in the attic is especially common in homes that aren’t well-ventilated or have a leak in the roof. Because most people don’t spend much time in their attic, this problem can grow for months or even years before it’s noticed. Minnesota is prone to cold winters that create ice dams and other forms of roof damage. If you’ve had a roof leak before, check your attic for water damage once your roof’s been fixed and remove any water that’s gotten into your attic.
Want to Find Where Mold Is Growing in Your Home?
If you suspect mold is growing in your home, we offer a professional mold inspection so you can find the source of the growth and can help you take the next steps to remove it and make sure it doesn’t come back.
If you want to learn more about the effects of mold in your home, you can check out our complete guide to mold!
