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Mold is a type of fungi that can grow anywhere in optimal, often moist conditions. It is beneficial to the environment as it performs a crucial role in supporting life in the ecosystem. However, mold growing in your home can lead to adverse reactions that impact your and your family’s health.
Mold is relatively harmless in small numbers but should be a cause for concern when they form large colonies. Due to their minute size and lightweight nature, they travel through the air in the form of spores and spread anywhere they can land. They can even take up residence in your home without you knowing.
It’s always a good idea to check your property for mold growth for everyone’s protection — and knowing what signs to look out for and where to look can make all the difference.
Signs to Look Out For
Learn to recognize the presence of mold in your home by looking out for the following indicators:
- Visible Water Damage: When significant water damage is present, mold will follow suit sooner or later. Look for signs of water damage, such as chipped paint, warped walls, and visible stains.
- Rust: While rust doesn’t usually indicate that mold is present, it is a sign of significant moisture in the area. Look around an area where metals have rusted significantly and see if there are visible signs of mold growth.
- Musty Smell: If a strange smell persists even after you’ve cleaned the area, then it could be a sign of mold.
- Allergies: Mold spores are a common trigger for asthma and allergies. If you notice your allergies flaring up in particular areas around your home, it could be a sign that mold is present.
Areas in the Home Where Mold is Common
Mold can grow anywhere, from old books to your clothes, as long as the conditions are right. The following areas have been identified as the most common places that satisfy these conditions, making them conducive to mold growth:
Basement
The conditions for microbial growth are all present in your basement. Your water heater, furnace, pipelines, sump pump, and the lack of ventilation and light create the optimal conditions for mold to grow. When checking your basement for mold, check all the abovementioned areas, as well as your home’s foundation, windows, and vents, for signs of microbial growth.
Attic
Microbial growth in your attic often goes undetected because it’s one of your home’s least visited areas. But because pipes and ductwork often run through the space below the attic, this area can be a magnet for dust, moisture, and mold. Meanwhile, roof leaks can also deal with water damage that contributes to mold growth.
Bathroom
Mold remediation experts identify the bathroom as a common area for mold growth for obvious reasons. As an area that’s constantly exposed to water, various sections of the bathroom can hold moisture, trap mold spores, and be hotspots for mold. When inspecting your bathroom for mold, always check behind the toilet, behind the shower, beneath the sink, in the walls, and on the floor.
Laundry Room
Washing machines are also hotspots for microbial growth. Moisture that leaks out and the heat it gives off can lead to microbial growth. Other contributors to mold inside the laundry room include wet clothes, high humidity, and the lack of ventilation.
Kitchen
The kitchen is also a regular hotspot for mold around your home. Areas like your kitchen sink and appliances like a refrigerator and dishwasher can contribute to moisture inside your kitchen and attract mold.
Indoor Plants
Plants can brighten your space and even supply your home with fresh oxygen. But it also offers a good supply of organic matter and moisture, which facilitates microbial growth. However, this can be prevented by avoiding excessive water and prolonged exposure to the sun.
Call The Mold Remediation Experts At Restoration 1
When dealing with an overwhelming amount of mold in your home, seek the experts at Restoration 1 for professional mold remediation. We act fast to solve your mold problem in the least amount of time possible, beginning with a thorough inspection of your home. Keep your family safe from the adverse effects of mold and protect the integrity of your home. Call Restoration 1 of Metro Detroit today!
