Mold is a form of fungus that develops when spores in the air settle on a surface and begin to grow. To grow, mold requires spores, an organic substance to feed off of, warmth, darkness, moisture, and oxygen. Unfortunately, there are many areas in a typical home that provide an ideal environment for mold growth. As an added complication, mold doesn’t become detectable, either by sight or smell, until it’s already spread significantly. But, by understanding the most common areas for mold formation in your home, you can take extra precautions to keep mold to a minimum.

Let’s go over the most common areas that household mold grows in. For major mold problems, remember to contact your Denver mold removal experts.

Where Household Mold Commonly Grows

Beneath Sinks

Given that mold grows with the help of moisture, darkness, and warmth, it’s very common to find mold underneath sinks. Especially if you have a plumbing leak, mold can start to grow underneath the kitchen or bathroom sink. You’re unlikely to check beneath your sink regularly, and the area under your sink isn’t lit. So, you may only notice mold under the sink by recognizing its musty odor. Cleaning the cabinet area under your sink regularly with a cleaning solution containing either bleach or hydrogen peroxide to prevent mold growth.

Inside of Filing Cabinets

Wood pulp is what paper is made out of. This organic substance is an excellent food source for mold. If moisture is introduced to a filing cabinet full of paper, either due to high humidity levels or water damage, mold can quickly develop. Especially for important papers stowed away in a filing cabinet, mold presents a serious risk to your paper records.

You can prevent mold damage to your filing cabinets by not storing them in areas of your home with high humidity, such as the basement and attic. You may even place a dehumidifier in your office or storage room if high moisture levels are a concern.

Appliances

Appliances are important to Denver homeowners’ day-to-day routines. However, household appliances also provide moisture that can encourage mold growth. Appliances that commonly cause mold growth include:

Washing machines

Washing machines, especially front-loading models, often lead to mold growth. This problem is more likely to occur if you close the door immediately after completing a load of laundry. Washing machines are airtight, meaning that any residual moisture trapped in the machine can lead to mold growth. Ensure that you leave the door of your washing machine open after each load so that it can dry out. You can also wash the inside of the detergent dispenser and gasket with warm water and soap, then run an empty cycle with baking soda or bleach to prevent mold growth. Keeping your washing machine clean will help reduce the probability of mold growth.

Refrigerators

Refrigerator mold is a prevalent issue among homeowners in Denver and beyond. So, it’s important to clean your refrigerator regularly. A combination of water, baking soda, and fungicide can be used to wipe down the entire interior of your refrigerator, including the shelves and drawers. You should also clean your freezer in the same manner.

Air ducts

If any mold grows in your air ducts as a result of moisture or humidity, it can circulate throughout your home. You can identify mold on the air registers of your HVAC system. Additionally, a musty smell may become apparent in your home as the mold infiltrates the ducts that carry heated or cooled air throughout your home.

Humidifiers

Humidifiers are a great tool for making homes in dry climates, such as Colorado, more comfortable. Unfortunately, when humidifiers are improperly maintained, mold growth can occur. Humidifiers circulate a high amount of water throughout the air and should be cleaned frequently.

Floor Mats

You may not think twice about the floor mats in your home. But, whether outside of your front door or in your bathroom, floor mats can create a prime environment for mold growth. The mat outside of your front door can collect moisture from snow, mud, and even dew on the grass in your front yard. The bathmat can collect moisture whenever someone steps out of the shower or bath. To avoid mold growth in your home’s floor mats, make sure to launder them frequently.

For help with a household mold problem, contact Denver Restoration today.

Household mold is a concern that many homeowners in Denver and across the country share. Mold can grow deep within the walls or ceilings of your home, often obscured by furniture or otherwise invisible. By the time you do notice the mold, it may have spread to a significant degree. Unfortunately, while household mold is an extremely common problem, it can also become a health hazard if it’s not addressed by Denver mold removal experts promptly.

How much do you know about household mold? Let’s dive into the five most frequently asked questions about household mold to broaden your knowledge and help you better protect your home.

What is Mold?

So, first off, let’s define what mold is. Molds are organisms that consume nutrients from organic materials and generally appear powdery or fuzzy. Minuscule spores are created by molds to reproduce. These spores circulate throughout the air to eventually land on a surface with some moisture. The mold spores will then consume whatever material they have landed on to grow. Mold can grow on anything from paper to carpet to wood and food, so long as moisture is present. High amounts of moisture and humidity inside a home will increase the amount of mold growth that takes place. While mold growth can’t be fully eliminated in any indoor place, it can be kept to a minimum by keeping moisture to a minimum.

What Are The Types of Mold Exposure?

There are multiple ways in which you can be exposed to mold, including:

Inhalation

You may inhale mold spores through the nose. This can trigger allergic reactions as the spores reach the lungs. In people with asthma, mold inhalation can also cause an asthma attack.

Ingestion

Mold exposure can also occur if you unknowingly ingest moldy food.

Physical contact

If your skin comes into contact with mold, you may experience a rash in the area where the mold contact occurred. This typically only occurs in those who commonly have allergies.

What Are The Symptoms of Mold Exposure?

Not all instances of mold exposure will lead to physical symptoms. However, mold exposure can cause symptoms that are similar to other allergies, including:

Sneezing
Coughing
Sore throat
Congestion
Runny nose
Red, itchy, or runny eyes
Rash on the skin
Headache

How Can I Identify Household Mold?

There are many signs of household mold that you can look out for, including:

Discolored Walls

Mold can take on all different colors and textures. Oddly-colored parts of your wall could be caused by mold growth. If you notice that they’re a strange spot or cluster on your walls, it’s worth taking a closer look. It may be immediately identifiable as mold, or you may need to contact Denver mold specialists for an expert opinion.

Musty Smell

Even after cleaning, if you notice a musty smell coming from anything in your home, mold could be causing the smell. After washing the curtains and the carpet, as well as taking out the trash, and the smell persists, you may be facing a household mold problem.

Odd Smells From The AC or Heater

If you notice an odor when your HVAC system is running, mold could be the culprit. Air conditioners create an optimal environment for mold growth due to the high moisture level. You can avoid mold growth in your HVAC system with regular maintenance.

Peeling Wallpaper

If there is moisture in your wallpapered walls, the wallpaper may start to peel. This is a big sign that mold development is likely and that you should try to reduce the excess moisture in your walls.

Why Does Household Mold Develop?

For mold to grow, mold spores, a source of organic matter for food, oxygen, moisture, and darkness need to be present. Mold can start to grow in one to two days in an optimal environment.

Ultimately, moisture and humidity are the main reasons why household mold develops. Anything from a leaking pipe to wet clothes drying on a rack could increase the humidity in your home enough for mold to grow.

If you suspect that your home has a household mold problem, contact Denver Restoration today. Our expert team can identify and resolve the problem to restore the comfort of your home.

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Where Does Household Mold Form?