If you’re like most people, you already know that mold growth in your home can be dangerous. It leads to serious health conditions, including asthma and upper respiratory illnesses. But where are you most likely to find mold, and when you do find it, what should you do? Here’s what you need to know.
The 3 Most Common Places to Find Mold in Your Michigan Home
Mold doesn’t always appear in easy-to-find places. In fact, it’s far more insidious than that. Mold thrives in damp, dark places – places you don’t look at every day – so it can be tough to find (and even tougher to eradicate). The three most common places to find mold in your home include:
- Showers and tubs
- HVAC units
- Laundry rooms
Here’s a closer look at each.
Mold in a Shower or Tub
Showers and tubs are great breeding grounds for mold spores. They’re damp and have warm, cozy corners where mold can settle in and start to thrive. And although most bathrooms are supposed to have exhaust fans, many are inadequate.
The key to keeping mold out of your bathroom is to keep air circulating. Squeegee your shower so excess water heads down the drain; run your exhaust fan and, if possible, open a window. Check behind your toilet and sink periodically (to look for leaks and signs of mold growth), and make sure you’re cleaning those areas regularly.
Mold in an HVAC Unit
HVAC units are breeding grounds for mold. Window units are typically the worse, because they contain condensation that can easily come inside your home, but central units are pretty risky, too. Leaks in your central HVAC system can cause mold, and so can instances of the coils freezing when it’s particularly hot outside.
Mold in Laundry Rooms
Your laundry room has plenty of great spots for mold to thrive – especially behind your washer and dryer. If hoses are loose or if there’s any kind of leak, mold can start to grow. It can even grow in the drainage system on your washing machine, where filters stay wet (or at least damp) between uses.
What if You Have Mold in Your Home?
Dealing with mold is dangerous, because cleaning it stirs up the spores – and you definitely don’t want to breathe it in. It’s a good idea to get in touch with a mold remediation specialist as soon as you discover any type of mold (or even if you only suspect mold) in your home.
Do You Need a Disaster Remediation Expert in Washtenaw County or Jackson County?
If your home has already been damaged, we can help. Check out our services and call Exact Recon for your free disaster remediation quote today. We offer:
