Attention Property Managers. ask about our new client portal

Top 5 Common Places Mold Is Found

Name: Exit Mold
Address: 1 Irwin Ct., Lynbrook, New York, 11563, United States
Telephone: (516) 512-7877

No homeowner wants to think about the possibility of discovering a mold infestation in their house. Unfortunately, mold can be found in any home regardless of the age, location, or condition of the property.

Because of that, any homeowner can experience a mold infestation at any time. The good news is that by being proactive, you can reduce your risk of suffering from a large infestation as long as you catch it early.

While mold can grow virtually anywhere, it does have some common places that it thrives. Let’s explore the top places in a typical home that are more common to suffer from a mold infestation.

1. Basements

Basements are an essential part of many homes. They offer protection during severe weather, support your home’s utility system and hold onto your holiday decorations, keepsakes and forgotten possessions.

However, basements are one of the most common locations for mold infestations because of their poor ventilation and close proximity to the ground. Any sort of groundwater seepage, pipe leak or foundation issue can introduce water into your basement.

If there is no place for that water to go, it will eventually become stagnant. As mold spores float through the air, they can settle into this moisture and will quickly multiply into a colony.

Get into the habit of checking your basement regularly for signs of water leaks or mold infestations, and consider investing in a dehumidifier to help pull moisture from your basement air.

2. Attics

On the other end of the house spectrum, attics are also a common location for unchecked mold infestations to spread. Attics often deal with hot and humid temperatures, which creates a breeding ground for mold.

Unfortunately, attics are also one common area of your home that often gets overlooked. If you fail to check your attic regularly for signs of mold, you could very well be dealing with a massive infestation that could eventually cause serious structural damage. The mold spores could also make their way into your ventilation system, which can float down through the rest of your house.

The best way to avoid a mold infestation in your attic is to be sure your attic is insulated and ventilated properly. Insulation and attic fans help move humidity and excess moisture from your home in a timely manner to lower the risk of mold spores taking hold.

3. The Kitchen

Just the thought of dealing with a mold infestation in your kitchen is enough to make anyone squeamish! The kitchen is where you make meals and your family comes together. Unfortunately, all the heat and steam created during traditional meal preparations is what increases the risk of mold infestations in this part of your home.

Kitchen spaces need to breathe and dry out between uses. If this doesn’t happen, that excess steam will turn into water vapor and lingering moisture. This can result in mold infestations behind your oven, under your cabinets, and around your fridge.

Get in the habit of opening a window or running your kitchen fan during and after any meal preparations. This allows your kitchen to dry out and circulate air more efficiently.

4. Bathrooms

With showers, sinks, tubs, and toilets utilizing water daily, it is no wonder that bathrooms are a common location for mold infestations. This is especially true if you have a large or busy family and your bathroom is used frequently.

As condensation builds up along mirrors, shower walls, tub surrounds, and toilet tanks, it can leak and seep into hard-to-reach areas of your bathroom. Mold can even start to grow out in the open in caulk lines or on shower curtains.

To reduce your risk of a mold outbreak in the bathroom, try to dry out your bathroom completely at least once a day. Clean up standing water, throw wet towels in the laundry, open windows and run your fan.

5. Crawl Spaces

Do you have a crawl space in your home? Not every home does, but if yours does, you should check it regularly for mold growth. Crawl spaces are designed to help control and reduce moisture levels in the rest of your house. However, heavy rain, pipe leaks, and improper grading of your yard can introduce excessive moisture in this part of your home and it can linger long enough to cause problems.

Without the right ventilation, mold will start to grow quickly and will eventually start to eat away at your floor joists and other structural components.

To prevent mold growth in your crawl space, make sure it has the right insulation and consider installing a vapor barrier to keep as much moisture out of this small area as possible.

What To Do After Discovering Mold

Even with your best efforts, mold can still grow in your home. If you start to smell a musty or earthy odor or stumble upon a growing mold colony in your home, it’s best to call a professional mold remediation team.

Certain types of mold can be dangerous and should only be handled by professionals that have the right equipment and safety gear to stay protected.

Once you discover mold, leave it alone and back away carefully to avoid disturbing the spores and call a professional mold remediation team like Exit Mold right away. A typical mold remediation involves:

An initial assessment to identify the mold
Containment of the area by shutting off HVAC and closing vents
Deep cleaning and sanitizing
Structural repairs and deodorization

This thorough process ensures that your entire area is cleaned and restored, and specific sanitization methods prevent a future infestation from taking hold.

If you discover mold in your home, don’t hesitate to call Exit Mold right away. Our talented team will respond quickly to help you recover completely. Call us today at (516) 512-7877.

How to Prep a 3-Day Emergency Kit for Floods

What are the unfortunate but normal kinds of home disasters that your family and property can face, floods are definitely high on that list. Property

Common Sense Actions During A Flood Emergency

Emergency Response: What To Do During A Flood

Emergency Response: What To Do During A Flood While we at Exit Mold, a New York home restoration firm serving NYC and the five boroughs

A Comprehensive Guide To Navigating Cleanup After A Flood

A Comprehensive Guide To Navigating Cleanup After A Flood Flash flooding is a normal phenomenon in densely populated cities such as New York, with many

Related Blogs