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.

When a mold problem develops in your home, it may be hard to spot at first. But, left alone, household mold can grow into a serious issue. Once it penetrates your walls, your home may need serious repairs and mold restoration services to fully remove it.

Let’s discuss the dangers that mold can pose in your Denver home. But, remember that while household mold is an inconvenience, it can be fixed with the help of mold removal experts.

Household Mold Risks

There are two main risks of household mold that Denver homeowners should keep in mind. These are allergic reactions and damage to your home.

Allergic Reactions

Mold can diminish your air quality and make the people in your home sick. Most allergic reactions to mold involve respiratory symptoms. The mold particles in the air can cause irritation to the nose, throat, and lungs, causing significant discomfort.

Common symptoms of a mold allergy include:

Runny and/or itchy nose
Itchy throat
Congestion
Sneezing
Watery eyes

Most people only have mild reactions to household mold. But, certain individuals are more susceptible to health effects from household mold than others. Namely, those who suffer from asthma and allergies will have a stronger reaction to mold. Those with asthma will have a higher risk of suffering an asthma attack when mold particles are in the air. Additionally, infants and young children, seniors, and those with compromised immune systems may be at a higher risk for a mold allergy.

Damage to Your Home

As well as compromising the air quality in your home, household mold can cause physical damage to your home. This damage will need to be repaired to restore your home to its previous condition.

Mold grows on organic materials. These may include paper, wood, and fabric, among other materials. In homes, mold commonly grows on drywall, wallpaper, floorboards, ceiling tiles, and even carpeting. Once mold has started to grow on these materials, it will continue to spread until it’s removed. Left alone for a long time, this may lead to collapsed walls, ceilings, and floorboards. Mold can damage these materials to the point beyond repair.

Household mold most commonly grows in the bathroom, basement, and attic, as these rooms tend to be more damp and humid than others. But, it can also grow in your HVAC system, leading to mold inside of your ductwork. This type of household mold can be particularly difficult to remove. But, if you catch the issue before it’s a serious problem, you can likely just have your HVAC system cleaned by home restoration specialists. A team of experts can clean out the ducts safely and thoroughly to amend your mold problem. Preventative measures may also be suggested, such as using dehumidifiers, improved ventilation, and mold-resistant home products.

How Does Household Mold Develop?

Understanding how household mold develops in the first place can be helpful in preventing its spread throughout your home. Humidity and moisture in your home create an optimal environment for mold to grow. This may occur in the summer in humid climates, or due to unforeseen circumstances like a flood.

Water damage is one of the main causes of household mold. Given that mold is prime for growth in damp, humid conditions, water damage creates an optimal environment for mold to develop. Keep an eye out for signs of water damage in your home, including bubbles, softness, or water stains on your ceilings and/or walls. Additionally, after a leak or flood, it’s important to have the damage addressed by water restoration experts in Denver to keep mold from spreading.

Also keep in mind that mold can develop in many places throughout your home, and not only those that are visible. Hidden household mold poses the added risk of being hard to detect. It can be difficult to spot hidden household mold until it’s already become a major issue. So, keep your eye out for these signs of hidden household mold to protect your home and family:

Allergic reactions, namely including respiratory symptoms, among those living in your home
Musty odors
Condensation, typically around interior windows

With a team of Denver mold removal experts by your side, you can keep household mold from becoming a major issue. Contact us today to learn more.

Mold: It’s something that you never want to see in your home, period. While mold may seem like just a pesky cleaning problem, it can have serious health ramifications. Mold can cause allergic reactions and respiratory symptoms, making it all the more important to get professional help for mold in Denver.

But, how can you spot household mold in the first place? It’s not as easy as you might think. Mold may be hidden in your home, making it difficult to identify until it’s a serious problem. For example, if mold starts to grow within your walls, your walls will likely need to be replaced. Not only is it a hassle to replace your walls, but it’s also an expense that not all homeowners are prepared to cover.

But, there are signs of household mold that you can keep an eye out for. By noticing and addressing common signs of household mold, you can fix the issue before it requires extensive (and costly) repairs.

5 Signs of Household Mold

Water Damage

Water damage, mainly in the case of a leak or flood, is a key sign that mold may grow in your home. Mold thrives in moisture, so water in your walls and flooring creates a prime environment for mold growth.

Common signs of water damage include bubbles, softness, or water stains on the walls and ceiling. You may also notice that your walls appear warped after water damage has occurred. These walls should be checked for mold.

Also, pay attention to pipe leaks. Mold often grows in the walls nearby leaking sink pipes and can cause significant damage if left unrepaired.

Condensation and Humidity

Similarly to water damage, condensation and humidity are signs that mold growth is likely. You’ll mainly notice condensation around the windows in your home, making the risk for mold in these areas high.

A dehumidifier can keep mold growth at bay if your home is humid. Place the dehumidifier near the windows that most commonly show condensation. This will keep the walls dry and stop mold growth before it starts.

Unpleasant Odors

Mold gives off a musty, distinctive odor. The smell of mold is certainly not a pleasant one, so you’re likely to notice it if a mold problem has developed in your home. You can try to trace the odor back to the source of the mold, which can help you find hidden hold infestations.

If you can smell mold but are unable to locate the mold itself, call your local mold removal specialists. Experts in mold will be able to find the mold, even if it’s hidden, and start the removal process.

Allergic Reactions

If you or members of your family are having an allergic reaction in your home, the cause could be mold. Allergic reactions to mold generally involve respiratory symptoms like sneezing, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and an itchy throat. Most cases of mold allergy are mild, but the mold should be addressed promptly nonetheless. Especially for people with preexisting respiratory conditions, mold can present a serious health risk.

Visible Black Mold

The most obvious sign of mold is visible black mold. If you see black or brown mold spreading across your walls or ceiling, you have a problem that should be addressed ASAP. Mold may also be pink, blue, green, or even white in color. White mold is tricky to identify on white walls and ceilings, but it tends to have a fluffy appearance that’s unique from other types of mold.

Professional Mold Removal

If you think your Denver home has mold, your best option is to contact Denver restoration specialists as soon as possible. Mold experts will be able to identify and thoroughly clean up all of the mold in your home. This will restore the air quality in your home to prevent allergic reactions that often occur after people are exposed to mold.

In comparison to trying to remove the mold on your own, professional mold removal is a safer and more effective option. When you enlist the trusted team at Denver Restoration for your mold removal job, you can prevent the mold from reappearing in your near future.

Your home is a center point for you and your family. It’s where you sleep, eat meals, and likely spend most of your time. Considering the sheer amount of time that you spend at home, it’s crucial to maintain your indoor air quality. The air that you and your family breathe needs to be clean and allergen-free to avoid discomfort and potential health complications.

To protect the health of your family, you can perform basic maintenance tasks to maintain the air quality in your home. Along with the help of Denver mold experts, you can ensure that your home is a safe, comfortable place to live.

Household Mold

One of the main threats to your home’s air quality is household mold. This common issue often stems from water damage and can impact your family’s health.

How Mold Develops

Mold appears on surfaces of your home made from organic materials that it can feed off of. These include drywall, wood, and other common home construction materials. Mold development starts with excess moisture in key areas of your home. When minuscule spores settle onto a wet surface in your home, mold has what it needs to grow.

Spores are too small to see without a microscope, making it impossible for the average homeowner to identify the very beginning of a mold problem. You’ll likely only notice household mold once it’s already developed.

The Effects of Mold

Household mold impacts the quality of the air that you breathe in your home. This can lead to some health concerns. The main problem associated with indoor mold is allergens. Mold creates allergens, which can trigger symptoms (like sneezing, red eyes, runny nose, and skin irritation) in some individuals. For people with asthma and an allergy to mold, household mold can lead to asthma attacks.

To avoid allergic reactions and other adverse effects, it’s important to have mold taken care of by mold and water mediation specialists. A team of professionals will be able to identify the source of the mold, remove the mold, and restore the air quality inside your home.

Hidden Household Mold

Unfortunately, household mold can’t always be easily spotted. Household mold can be hidden, which typically prolongs the process of identifying and removing it. When left unaddressed, hidden household mold can cause serious damage and impact the structure of your home. But, by knowing the most common signs of hidden household mold, you can remain alert and avoid a major mold problem.

Signs of Household Mold

Recent home water damage
- If your home has experienced water damage, make sure to have a team of water restoration experts in Denver service your home. A professional team can examine your home for hidden mold and fix the issue before it becomes severe.
Odors
Water marks, cracks, bubbles, or soft areas in your walls or ceiling
Allergic reactions

Tips To Improve Home Air Quality

The good news is that you can improve and maintain the air quality in your home by following these simple maintenance tips:

Remember to change the filter of your air conditioner regularly – ideally every few months. Air conditioners filter pollutants out of the air while they’re helping maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. Over time, the filter will get bogged down with pollutants and won’t function properly. When this happens, the air quality in your home will drop. Thankfully, by simply switching out your AC filter, you can avoid this issue.
To control the level of moisture in your home, consider using dehumidifiers in rooms that are at a higher risk of mold growth, such as the kitchen and bathroom.
Have your air ducts cleaned regularly to prevent mold growth and dust accumulation.
If you notice odors, damage to your walls or ceilings, or allergic reactions among the people you live with, have your home checked for hidden household mold.
If your home has experienced water damage, enlist professional help for water restoration in Denver. Experts on water damage and mold can help pinpoint the issue and eradicate the water damage. With your home restored to a clean, safe condition, you can feel confident that mold isn’t compromising your home’s air quality.

Tag: household mold

Where Does Household Mold Form?

Where Household Mold Commonly Grows

Beneath Sinks

Inside of Filing Cabinets

Appliances

Floor Mats

The Dangers of Mold in Your Home

Household Mold Risks

Allergic Reactions

Damage to Your Home

How Does Household Mold Develop?

5 Signs That Your Home Has Mold

5 Signs of Household Mold

Water Damage

Condensation and Humidity

Unpleasant Odors

Allergic Reactions

Visible Black Mold

Professional Mold Removal

Home Air Quality and Why It Matters

Household Mold

How Mold Develops

The Effects of Mold

Hidden Household Mold

Signs of Household Mold

Tips To Improve Home Air Quality

About us

Navigation