Mold isn’t just something that rears its ugly head when catastrophe strikes from a burst pipe. It’s not a shock when mold shows up behind drywall after a flood or covers baseboards in damp basements. But it can uneventfully creep into your life through colonizing in the bathroom and taking over parts of the kitchen. Mold can surprise you and hide in unexpected places, making it harder to detect and wipe out. You may know how to look for mold, and maybe even what to look for. But do you know where to find the hot spots for hidden mold? Search these often overlooked places.
Around Air-Conditioning Units – Mold in window air conditioner units is a serious problem because every time you turn on your air conditioner, it will blow tiny, invisible mold spores into the room. Mold spreads and grows easily and before you know it, you can have mold growing throughout the room. After that, it won’t take long before it begins to spread to other areas of the home.
You might see mold in window ac units if you look carefully or you might see mold on the filter if you remove and examine it. You might not be able to see any mold, though, at least not right away. Small amounts of mold can be very hard to see, although given time the mold will grow and it will probably become easier. [Read More …]
Attics – If you have any sort of water leak in your room, chances are good that mold could be growing in your attic. The dust that accumulates in attics paired with little air flow makes a perfect environment for spores to thrive. Check your attic periodically for mold, and make sure there are air vents to aid circulation to the area. If you have any roof leaks, get them repaired immediately. It is best to regularly have your roof inspected to catch any leaks before they cause a serious problem, and especially after a heavy rainstorm or other harsh weather.
Basements – The basement seems like an obvious place to check for mold. It’s dark and sometimes prone to dampness. We’ve all been down in an old basement noticed a peculiar smell. If mold decides to take up residence in your basement, it may hang out in a few areas including around pipes and ductwork, cracks in your foundation, near your sump pump, and leaky windows or vents.
Keep the Basement Mold Free:
- Maintain a 40-50 percent humidity level.
- Utilize waterproof and mold-resistant paint.
- Check and repair any cracks in your foundation and make sure your windows are properly sealed.
- Install proper ventilation and fix any drainage issues that your basement or home may have.
Bathrooms – Mold loves humidity and water, making damp places like the bathtub and shower the perfect place for mold to take up residence, especially if you love your steaming hot showers. Mold can grow on your tiles, behind shampoo bottles, on washcloths, loofahs, the shower curtain, and really anywhere. It’s easy to assume that the shower and bathtub would be the only places that mold would love to hangout, but pretty much anywhere in the bathroom is a perfect habitat for mold to thrive. Mold likes to grow in the toilet bowl, in the sink, and on the counter where water is allowed to pool. Also, any excess moisture from using cleaning supplies can cause mold to grow in the dark cabinet area under the sink as well.
Under Carpeting – Hidden mold in and under wall to wall carpeting is notorious and widespread in areas which have become wet; this may occur as a result of flooding in a home, or as a result of a broken water pipe, or after a leak in the roof, or even after a window has been inadvertently left open during a rain storm. Unfortunately, cleaning mold from carpet is difficult. Most of the time, the carpet must be removed and replaced.
Underneath Kitchen Sinks – The kitchen sink is a place where mold and other bacteria tend to congregate. Not only is there always plenty of water for mold to live on, but there is often residues from food, sponges and wet washcloths that act as catalysts for mold growth. Often simply applying a bit of cleaner and elbow grease will remove mold. However, if mold seems to be growing and isn’t cleared by cleaning or it has taken up residence under your sink, then you may have a problem such as a leaky pipe and taking care of fixing the leak is priority number one if you want to avoid further damage.
Refrigerators – Your refrigerator provides favorable conditions for mold to grow and reproduce. It is a dark environment with minimal air circulation and a lot of moisture. With food, water, and darkness, the fridge can be one of the first and most frequent places to find mold. The drip trays and as well as water dispensers can become areas for mold growth. Some other places that mold is known to grow in the refrigerator include:
Interior walls and shelves – Mold can grow anywhere on the inside walls or shelves of your refrigerator, especially if there is pooling water that isn’t immediately cleaned up.
On food – If you have ever left something in the refrigerator for far too long, you have seen firsthand how mold can grow on your food.
On the gasket – The gasket, also known as the rubber door seal is a common hiding place for mold.
Behind Walls – Your house could have hidden mold if you’ve had flooding or leaks. Leaks in pipes which run behind walls are an especially common cause of hidden mold. These spaces often contain pockets of humid, moist air. Mold can also grow hidden behind wallpaper. Wallpaper glue can hold organic debris which can then become a food source for mold growth. To find hidden mold behind walls you need to use invasive inspection methods and, optionally, mold testing. It’s best to talk to a professional specialist in this case.
Window & Window Sills – Mold can also grow in your windows and window sills of your bedroom due to condensation and humidity. A leaky window can also be the culprit of a mold problem that can turn into a moldy disaster if it isn’t fixed. Drying off your window sill, having proper ventilation, and a dehumidifier can all be solutions to stem mold growth in these places.
If your home might have water damage or is overrun with mold, call Xtreme Home Improvement. We offer high quality services such as water damage restoration, mold testing, and mold removal to commercial and residential clients in Central Pennsylvania. Call us day or night!