One of the most annoying, frustrating, yet common problems that almost every homeowner face is mold growth. Molds can grow anywhere. Wherever there is any organic matter or moisture present in your house, they can easily multiply in there. They are black, or sometimes dark green, depending on what type of fungi has nestled in your home. Not only are they unsightly, but mold can also bring dangerous effects to human health.
Molds can cause respiratory problems such as coughing, nasal stuffiness, wheezing, throat irritation, and other health issues like skin and eye irritation. Everyone can be vulnerable to the harmful effects of molds, but it can be worst for people who already have existing respiratory illnesses or inborn allergies. To make it worse, some molds grow and nestle on areas you may least expect or never even see unless you intentionally look for them.
Knowing where to check and look for mold growth can significantly help you eliminate and prevent this problem from getting worse. As a guide, here are six places you must check for any lurking mold growth at home.
Under The Sink
You’re probably too busy cleaning your kitchen countertops, tiles, and floors that you forget to check what’s going on underneath. The plumbing under your sink is sometimes prone to leaks and moisture, making them a perfect area for molds to multiply.
Thus, as you clean your kitchen may be, make sure you don’t miss out on checking underneath, wiping down any moist condensation, and fixing any minor plumbing leaks to avoid further moisture. You can use bleach or a hydrogen peroxide-based solution to eliminate these molds and prevent them from spreading further.
Crawl Spaces
Another perfect area for molds to spread is your crawl space. For most homeowners, your crawlspace may usually be dark, dusty, filled with spiders, and not a place you’d want to check or visit, even for a few minutes. Unfortunately, molds thrive best in these places, and they’ll continue to multiply and spread if you don’t intervene. If you intend to keep your home free from any mold, then ensure you check your crawl space every once in a while, and give it a good clean. Of course, if there is any structural problems, a crawl space repair company should be called in.
If you can’t do it yourself, don’t hesitate to ask for help from professional crawl space mold removal services and let them do the job. To achieve a mold-free home, you’ll need to check all areas in your house, even the most neglected one, like the crawl space.
The Toothbrush Holder
Most of you may tend to store your toothbrushes in a container close to your bathroom sink. Every day you reach for your toothbrush without a thought that thousands of tiny molds are already infesting your toothbrush container. As you return your toothbrush after use, the water dripping from your toothbrushes can be a perfect spot for molds to grow and spread.
To prevent such an unhygienic scenario, rinse and dry your toothbrush containers regularly. Additionally, make it a habit to wipe your toothbrushes dry with a towel or a tissue after every use to prevent water from getting stuck and kept in your container.
Carpets And Upholstery
Common breeding areas for molds include carpets, drapes, and upholstery. Your wall-to-wall carpets can easily trap any dirt and dust, making the environment conducive for molds to grow. Additionally, if you have an existing leak or unintentionally drop spills of water on your carpets, then they become a perfect place for molds to breed. To minimize the risk of mold growth, regularly clean your carpets and upholstery by vacuuming them, washing them with anti-mold solutions, and drying them quickly. You can also install or place an air purifier in carpeted rooms to filter out dust, dirt, and molds.
Bathroom
Everyone uses the bathroom daily. It’s also highly at risk for mold growth due to its nature of being constantly wet or moist every day. If you don’t clean your bathroom often or if you don’t allow your bathroom floors to dry after use, that will lead to mold growth. Another reason could also be insufficient air circulation.
So, as much as possible, keep your bathroom floors and walls dry after every use. You can open the bathroom door or windows to allow air to circulate inside and let the water evaporate over time.
Wallpapers And Drywall
Just because you can’t spot any mold doesn’t mean they’re not there. The thing about molds is that they hide best in places you might see every day but may least expect them to be there. So, molds can hide beneath your wallpapers, on the backside of your wallboard, under paneling, or on drywalls.
When cleaning your home, make sure you check your walls and the seams between ceilings and wipe them down for any sign of mold growth. Moreover, if you’re thinking of installing new drywall or wallpaper, cover your wall first with mold-inhibiting paint to keep molds out and prevent any bigger issues in the future.
Wrap Up
By now, you can tell the molds can grow and live everywhere, even in places you interact or use every day. So, now it’s up to you to take responsibility for getting rid of any wet spots and regularly clean every nook and cranny around your house to keep molds away for good.
