Top Hidden Places Where Mold May Grow in Your Home

9/28/2017 (Permalink)

Mold growth on a ceramic tile shower surround in Durango, CO.

Mold primarily thrives in damp, humid areas, such as basements, showers or areas around heating and cooling appliances.  However, there are many places where mold may be silently hiding.  It's these unseen areas that can lead to significant damage from mold making it important to check them regularly for signs of moisture or condensation. In no particular order, here are the top places where mold can grow in your home:

Crawl Spaces

Most homeowners never look into their crawlspace, but they might want to. Crawlspaces can easily collect moisture from water rising from the ground or seeping through the foundation. The presence of a vapor barrier will help keep the ground moisture from intruding into the crawlspace. Adequate ventilation also allows any moisture that may collect to flow out. Failure to keep the moisture out and have effective air-flow in your crawlspace can result in mold growth on the exposed framing of your home. The mold can eventually lead to excessive damage to all wood surfaces and slowly make its way into the home

Basements

Basements are similar to crawlspaces.  However, since they are open and exposed to the rest of the house, mold can quickly spread throughout your home via the air ducts and open doors. If your basement smells musty, you may have mold growth already happening or the high possibility of it occurring. Since many basements are furnished and carpeted, there are more areas to trap moisture, making them even more susceptible to mold growth when compared to a crawlspace.

Bathrooms

A good ventilation fan is important in a bathroom, not only for the odor issues, but for moisture as well. This is especially true with bathrooms where there are showers in them. While everybody loves a hot shower, the steam created from the hot water also generates a large amount of moisture that can easily lead to mold growth. Another area where mold may grow is behind toilets and under sinks with cabinets. Moisture can condensate on the toilet tank or base causing mold to form on the wall or where it is affixed to the floor.  Even a small amount of water that escapes from the plumbing underneath the bathroom sink can be enough to initiate mold growth.

Under the Refrigerator

Some refrigerators have drip pans where water can collect. If dust or debris get into the drip pan, mold can start to grow. Water can also leak from the water line to the ice maker, or drip from the cooling coils. Sweeping or vacuuming any vents or drip pans, as well as checking any lines or connections should be performed on a regular basis.

Around the Washing Machine

The washing machine and the dryer are both susceptible to mold growth. If the dryer vent hose does not properly vent out the steam from the drying clothes, it can accumulate in the hose or around the back of the dryer causing mold to grow. Washing machines can also leak and drip down under the machine where dust can gather creating the perfect home for mold growth. Just like the refrigerator, it's important to keep the areas clean and check underneath them often.

Top Ways to Reduce Mold Growth in Your Home

So now that you know where mold growth can happen, how can you reduce the likelihood of mold growing in your home? As stated above, it's important to keep your home clean of dust by sweeping and vacuuming on a regular basis. While dust doesn't necessarily cause mold to grow, dust along with moisture can.  The dust may inhibit the needed ventilation and air flow, and excess moisture accelerates mold growth.

The most important thing to remember when reducing the chance of mold growth from happening in your home, is the need to control and eliminate any source of excess moisture. Regularly check for leaks and condensation problems around sinks, appliances, and air conditioning units. If you have a musty basement, ensure that a vapor barrier is free from rips or tears and make sure your sump pump is operating properly. You may also want to consider a ventilator fan to facilitate air flow and reduce any moisture in the air. If water seems to be seeping in outside from the basement walls or crawl space foundation, you'll want to look at the drainage around your home.

SERVPRO of Archuleta, La Plata, Montezuma & San Juan Counties is here to help you 24/7/365 with any mold damage and restoration issue. 

Please call us at 970-259-6184.