We know mold as the black, green, and grayish-white fuzzy microscopic fungi that grows on our food when we’ve left it for far too long on the counter or sometimes when we’ve forgotten we’ve kept it in the fridge months ago. And from what we’re taught, mold is an indication that our food has gone bad or is beginning to rot. Of course, naturally, we’ll throw it away. But what if you started seeing mold in parts of your home? What should you do?
While we cannot, of course, throw away our house or just move to a new one that easily, there are definitely ways you can get rid of mold in your living space. If you think it’s only an isolated case like in your bathroom tiles or shower curtains, the easiest way to deal with it is to clean it with bleach mold cleaner, vinegar, or borax. However, in cases, where the infestation is severe and more serious than you think, that absolutely calls for professional assistance from mold removal experts who can perform a thorough mold inspection and mold testing on your home before proceeding with a rigorous mold remediation plan.
The key to fending off mold growth in your property is to first understand what makes an environment suitable for fungus so you can make the necessary steps to prevent it from spreading.
Mold loves any surface brimming with high levels of water and moisture content. They reproduce by releasing spores into the air and feeding off on organic matter like wood, food items, textiles like carpets, damp clothes, and even on furniture. Once they have attached to a surface, they break it down thus prompting its deterioration and decay. Not only do they cause any matter to rot, but specific species of mold can also spread allergies and cause illnesses particularly those that emit toxins called “mycotoxins”.
If this scares you off, then it’s probably time that we talk about the most susceptible areas in your home so you can protect it against pesky fungi.
Roof leaks
Leaky roofs are the most common cause of mold problems in the attic. Leaking roofs should be treated as a critical maintenance issue because not only it poses structural problems for your property, but it is also a constant source of moisture. Water buildup will eventually work its way down to your attic and onto the lower levels of your living space. It will damage your ceilings, your walls, and your wood support. Usually, some signs of mold issue include bubbles in painted walls (an indication that a mold colony might be present underneath) or most of the time you can spot stain and discolorations on your ceilings and walls.
Indoor Plumbing
Water damage is one of the primary causes of fungal growth. Faulty indoor plumbing can lead to interior mold problems hence, it’s crucial to conduct annual inspections on your pipes just to check for repairs and possible mold issues. Make it a point to fix or replace damaged pipes and clean and dry the affected areas as soon as you can.
Basements and Crawl Spaces
Basements and crawl spaces are a few of the most vulnerable areas in your home due to lack of ventilation, a propensity to water flooding, and an innate high volume of humidity and condensation. In case your basement or crawl space has been flooded before, do know that handling this situation goes beyond your capacity to solve the issue as it entails scrupulous inspection and cleaning. Ask for experts’ advice and hire a well-reputed mold removal company to do the work for you. You can also opt for a crawl space or basement encapsulation to seal off the space and control the moisture in the area. One of the companies that can offer you this type of service is Hero Mold Removal or you can also look and compare for other mold removal experts in your local city to compare their prices and the quality of their services.
Bathroom
Bathrooms and shower curtains are the most common places where we usually see mold. They usually thrive in between tiles, under the sink, along the corners, and at times even around the exhaust fan. They look disgusting and unsightly especially to guests and house visitors; but sometimes, they cannot be avoided especially when your bathroom is always damp from baths and showers. While simple bathroom mold can be cleaned using bleach, borax, or any mold cleaner readily available in stores and local supermarkets, it is still vital that you carry out certain measures to prevent them from growing back again in your bathroom. Some pointers you should follow are:
- Make sure you have an active working vent fan when running the shower
- Leave your bathroom door open after use so the humidity is not trapped
- Wipe the shower area or bathtub every after use.
- Replace sealants and caulks infected with mold.
- Regularly clean your bathroom.
Chimneys
Typical chimneys made out of bricks are in danger of harboring mold as bricks can collect water dirt and dust which creates a suitable environment for fungi to develop. If you haven’t touched your chimney for months or even years, you might want to check out some who can perform a chimney sweep so you can rest assured that your neglected smokestack is not spewing out dangerous mold spores.
Window Seals
Dirt and water can also collect on your window seals if you don’t tend to regular cleaning and maintenance. Since they’re exposed to rain and dust from the outside and they’re always subjected to condensation, apparently, they can conceal some mold spots without your knowing. Remember that dust and dirt are considered as an organic matter too which is food to fungi so ensure that you check and clean your windows regularly.
Kitchen
If you thought that mold is confined to enclosed spaces like your basement and crawl space, think again because your kitchen and laundry area can also be hiding a dirty secret. And when we say “dirty”, we mean real filth. Most fungi would grow under your kitchen sink but the most overlooked area in the kitchen is the space underneath your fridge. We get that it would be heavy and difficult to move your fridge if you’re the one person doing the job, but do ask for help to move it around while doing your general house cleaning. This is because moisture and food drippings tend to settle underneath which is again, a perfect recipe for fungi.
