How To Investigate Your Home For Mold

If you suspect you may have mold in your home you need to act immediately! Mold, also known as mildew, is a fungal growth that multiplies on wet materials. Mold in your home can cause people with a healthy immune system to start coughing, wheezing, get nose bleeds and neurological issues like migraines, unsteady on your feet, disorientation. So, it is a good idea since mold is so toxic to humans and pets to check your home for mold on a regular basis. We have listed several common places to look and smell for mold. Should you detect any mold, then call a mold remediation expert right away as mold is definitely not a DIY project.

1. Start In The Bathroom:

Molds love the bathroom. Warm, wet showers, not enough ventilation, is an ideal place to look for mold. Look for small black spots on shower curtains, washcloths, and around faucets. Inspect the back of the toilet, underneath the bathroom sink and the pipes for sink and toilet. It is also good to check any bathroom rugs. Some things you can do to prevent mold in the bath include: 

• Keep your ventilation fan on during and 30 minutes after your shower

• Keep all surfaces clean and dry,

• Check for leaking pipes and faucets.

2. Inspect Your Kitchen:

One place almost no one looks at in the kitchen is the refrigerator drip pan. Make sure there is no leak in your garbage disposal, all faucets and pipes are not leaking. Check underneath your kitchen sink. Window sills are also an issue in kitchens. Mold will grow from the damp and humidity from steam from the stove and faucet. Some preventive techniques include:

• Always turn on the fan or open the window when cooking or doing dishes.

• Make sure all countertops and window sills are clean and dry.

• Clean fridge tray often

• Take out the trash regularly, if not daily.

3. Mold Can Happen In Bedrooms Too: 

If you walk into your bedroom and there is a smell of damp earth, you probably have mold or mildew somewhere in the room. Windows and window sills often have moisture that finds its way inside and that leads to mold or mildew. Also check the air conditioning and heating vents. Ways to avoid this include: 

• Using a dehumidifier

• Dry up any condensation on windows and sills

4. Don’t Forget Living And Family Rooms: 

If you notice a musty smell in your home it should be a warning sign. Fireplaces and chimneys are magnets to mold spores as the brick is porous and they are cool and damp the spores can spread quickly. Do not overwater your plants, as this too, attracts mold spores.

5. Go Up To The Attic:

Mold in the attic is a big problem in that it contains a lot of your ventilation systems. Check for mold under the roof, insulation, water heater, and soft vents. If your roof has a leak, you probably have mold.

6. Go Down To The Basement:

Everyone seems to think basements smell musty as a rule. Thing is that it is usually because basements are prone to mold issues. Look around any basement windows, near the sump pump, vents and never store cardboard boxes in the basement. They get damp and it becomes a party of mold spore growth. 

We have just listed a few items to look at if you suspect you might have mold. Even if you are not sure, contact the specialists at Disaster Response. They can evaluate your home, make recommendations and if your do have a mold issue will remediate and ensure your home will be safe and secure for you and your family.