Where to find mold in your home-things to watch for?

If you have allergies or a chronic lung disease like asthma, you’re probably very aware of the effect mold can have on your health. But even if you have a healthy immune system and no allergies, mold can cause a variety of health problems — coughing, wheezing, and throat, skin, and eye irritation, to name a few. Mold is everywhere and, though you can’t fully control your exposure to it outdoors or in public spaces, you can check for mold in common places around your home and take measures to prevent and remove it.

What causes mold in your home and what is mold?

Mold is, by broad definition, a type of fungus that sprouts from microscopic spores floating in the air. When clusters of mold spores grow on surfaces, they start to reproduce and become visible to the human eye. If you have mold allergies, asthma, or another lung condition, even breathing in the microscopic pores can trigger an attack. If you don’t, you may not even be aware that there is mold in your home until you see it or smell it (a damp, musty odor is a good indicator that mold is growing nearby). All homes have the key ingredients needed for mold growth: the presence of mold spores, a surface for it to grow on, oxygen, warmth, and darkness. When you add moisture, whether from a water leak, stagnant water, or high levels of humidity, into the mix, that’s where mold problems begin. Knowing where mold is commonly found in homes can help you prevent and treat it so you can keep your home and body healthy.

How to find mold in your bathroom?

You may love a long, hot shower but, unfortunately, so does mold. The warm, wet environment of a bathroom is practically an invitation for mold growth. Bathrooms that lack proper ventilation (from a window, a fan, or ideally, both) are especially prone to attracting mold. While it may be clear to check for mold on shower tiles, there are plenty of less obvious places for mold to grow in the bathroom.

In the shower and bathtub

Showers and bathtubs are one of the most common places you may find mold. With repeated use, these areas tend to be damp most of the time. If you aren’t properly ventilating during and after your shower or bath, mold spores will thrive. But mold isn’t always visible and obvious; be sure to check for mold on your shampoo bottles, washcloths and loofahs, shower curtain, in and around the faucet and shower head, and in the tile grout.

The sink and toilet

The presence of water, combined with the humid nature of bathrooms, makes sinks and toilets prone to mold growth. The surface of the sink and counters, if not cleaned and dried, are the most noticeable places to check. You should also inspect toothpaste and toothbrush caddies, the tank of the toilet, behind the toilet, underneath the bathroom sink where cleaning supplies are stored (any excess moisture leftover from using the supplies can cause mold), and all of the pipes for both the sink and toilet.

In the walls and on the floor

From top to bottom, mold growth is likely in a bathroom. In addition to the places mentioned above, pay attention to any water leaks coming from the walls or floors — these leaks can cause mold to grow quickly. Bathroom rugs are also known to harbor mold, and are usually not washed as often as they should be.

Some tips to keep your bathroom free of mold

Use a ventilation fan during your bath or shower, and keep it on for at least 30 minutes after
Use a dehumidifier or air conditioner to keep humidity levels down throughout your home
Keep all surfaces, including counters and floors, clean and dry
Check for leaky faucets and pipes

How to find mold in your kitchen?

From long-forgotten leftovers in the back of your fridge to the not so easily forgotten dishes that pile up in the sink, there are ample surfaces for mold to take up residence in your kitchen. The added levels of humidity from using the stove and running hot water from the sink can cause kitchen mold to grow quickly. Some of the most common places to check for mold in the kitchen include:

In, on, and under the kitchen sink

A lot happens in your kitchen sink. Dirty dishes pile up (it happens!), food goes through the garbage disposal, wet sponges sit in the sink or in caddies and collect bacteria, and faucets run. All of these things contribute to the potential for mold growth, so check in these areas often if you want to prevent mold. Oh, and don’t forget to check underneath the sink — leaky pipes are a big problem for mold.

The refrigerator and pantry

Food, especially if it’s expired, can cause mold. Your fridge and pantry should remain free of old food, and the surfaces should be wiped down regularly. In addition to those evident places, fridge drip trays and water dispensers collect water and are, therefore, the ideal place for mold to grow.

Microwave and stove

These food-centric places of your kitchen see a lot of food spillage and grease splatters — two things mold loves to call home. Not only is keeping these things clean and dry important for having a clean home but it’s also an easy way to prevent mold.

Other places in the kitchen

Wooden cutting boards, trash cans, behind the stove (where food crumbs fall) and windows and window sills in the kitchen are like heaven for mold spores. They feed off of these places, so keeping them clean and dry is critical for keeping mold at bay.

To keep your kitchen mold free, be sure to:

Ventilate when cooking and doing dishes by opening a window, using a fan, or both
Wash the dishes every day, so they don’t pile up in the sink
Clean and dry the stove top, microwave, counters, cabinets, and window sills regularly
Clean out the inside of your fridge and your fridge drip tray often
Take the trash out every day

How to find mold in your bedroom?

Generally speaking, your bedroom may not seem like a breeding ground for mold and, with properly controlled humidity, it may not be. However, all indoor spaces are susceptible to mold, so it’s worth checking for, just in case.

On your mattress

All it really takes to create mold is excess moisture and something for the mold to grow on. Finding mold on your mattress is a frightening thought. If you can, invest in a mold-resistant mattress. Otherwise, make sure your household humidity stays low and your mattress (including the underside — opt for a slatted bed frame) stays cool and dry.

Windows and window sills

As mentioned above, windows that collect condensation due to humidity can be especially problematic in preventing mold growth. If that moisture finds it’s way to the indoor window sill, you’re almost certain to have a mold problem. That is, unless you dry if off regularly.

Air conditioning and heating vents

You probably prefer your bedroom to be at the optimal temperature for you to get a good night’s rest. While using the AC and heating unit are fine (and can help control humidity), it’s possible for mold to grow in the vents.

To prevent mold from contaminating your bedroom, you should:

How to find mold in your living room?

It’s clear now that mold can form in any room of your home. The living room is no exception. From meals in front of the TV to the household plants you use to keep the air fresh, the chance for mold growth is compounded with every element you add. Couch and curtains Fabric and upholstery do a great job of collecting mold spores. If your couch (or other cloth-covered furniture) or curtains become moist, you may notice a foul, musty smell. This should alert you to mold. However, even if it hasn’t gotten that noticeable, it’s wise to check.

Indoor plants

Greenery in your home can be good for air purification but, if not monitored, can also cause mold to grow. Ensuring your home is at an optimal humidity level and that you don’t overwater your plants should be enough to prevent this.

Fireplace and chimney

When not in use, fireplaces and chimneys are cool, damp, and dark, making them magnetic to mold spores. And because the brick used to build most fireplaces is porous, the mold can spread quickly.

Here’s how you can prevent mold from growing in your living room:

Looking for mold in the attic, basement and garage?

You may not spend much time in these rooms of your home. Not only does this mean you’re less likely to notice mold, it also means that mold is more likely to grow due to poor ventilation. This, combined with the dark, cold nature of attics, basements, and garages, makes mold highly probable.

In the attic

Mold in the attic is a huge problem — they can contain a lot of your ventilation systems and, if left unchecked, can spread mold throughout the rest of your home. In your attic, check for mold:

On the roof, near any possible leaks
In your insulation
Near any vents from the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room/dryer
Near your water heater or furnace
Around your soffit vents (these are the vents near the bottom of the roof that provide ventilation to the attic)

To prevent mold from growing (and spreading) in your attic, you can:

Repair any roof leaks as soon as possible
Use the proper type of insulation
Properly vent items outside, instead of into your attic
Keep soffit vents clear to allow air flow
Keeping your gutter cleaned and in good repair, especially in rainy months

In the basement

Everyone knows that musty basement smell, but your basement doesn’t have to fall victim to that odor if you keep the mold out. There are a lot of areas that are prone to mold growth here, as this tends to be a moist area of the house, so here are a few reminders on where to look:

Some tips for preventing mold growth in the basement:

Use a dehumidifier to keep your moisture levels low
Paint with waterproof or mold resistant paint
Check and repair any leaky pipes or foundation leaks
Make sure there is adequate ventilation
Waterproof the exterior of your basement and fix drainage issues

In the garage

Rain from your car and water leaks from the roof are two of the main ways mold gets invited into your garage. If you use your garage for storage of old items or cleaning supplies, you may find mold growing in places you wouldn’t expect. Be sure to check for mold:

Keep mold at bay in your garage by:

Using a dehumidifier to keep moisture levels low, especially during wet months
Use a waterproof or mold and mildew resistant paint for the walls and concrete in your garage
Use a squeegee to remove standing water from the floor
Try to introduce sunlight and ventilation, when possible

Washing machines and dryers

Appliances that use water or come into contact with it have the potential to harbor mold. Avoid keeping wet clothes in your washer or dryer and make sure that you are properly venting the dryer outside the home (and not into the attic). Front-loading washers are especially prone to mold growth, though newer models have improved this. Always use the recommended detergent and cycles to help prevent this, and keep the washer door open when not in use. Also, don’t forget to clean out the dryer lint — this, too, can grow mold.

Air conditioning and heating ducts

Your HVAC system is an extremely important place to be on the lookout for mold. If your ducting gets moldy, it can spread the spores throughout your home. You should regularly inspect your AC unit to make sure it’s draining properly and check your filters to make sure they are not wet and don’t need replacing. If you suspect mold in your ventilation system, you will likely need to contact a company that specializes in HVAC repair to clean out your system. This can be costly so be sure to talk to a few different companies; check that they have the appropriate licenses and are compliant with the National Air Duct Cleaners Association standards and get an estimate and quote in writing. This could save your health (and your wallet) in the long-run.

Worth the time invested to check

No one wants mold to grow in their home. Still, many people are unaware of the variety of common places to check for mold in their home. Initially, checking for mold and taking actions to prevent it may feel like a hassle but, in the long-run, it can prevent you from getting sick and prevent your home from being damaged.

Home, Inspection, Mold