There are many amazing things about being a homeowner. It’s a place to hang your hat at the end of a long day, a cozy spot for fun family time and a major personal and financial investment. Unfortunately, all rooms of a home are capable of mold, regardless of how spotless you may keep your living space. Mold only needs a few key components to grow: a surface, oxygen, moisture and/or warmth.
So, what spots in your home are most likely to attract mold and what can you do about it to protect your loved ones?
Bathroom
When you think of mold, one of the first areas of your home you probably picture is your bathroom, and for a good reason. The warm, damp environment of bathrooms is a breeding ground for mold, especially if it lacks proper ventilation, such as fans or windows.
Check in the shower and bathtub for any black spots, even looking in the grout and around the soapdish tray. But mold doesn’t only thrive on solid surfaces! Mold can even grow on your shampoo bottles, loofahs, toothbrush caddies and shower curtain.
Kitchen
Do you often put off washing the dishes in the kitchen sink? We get it. Life gets busy, and sometimes we have to let dirty plates and bowls sit for a few days before we have the time. You might hate it, but mold loves it.
Since kitchens are often humid thanks to the oven and stovetop, mold has an ample environment to proliferate. Keeping up with dirty dishes and washing the sink and countertops can help combat mold.
Food Storage
We’re not done with the kitchen quite yet! Whether it’s the old takeout container in the back of the fridge or the expired boxed food in the cabinets; mold will find a way. And remember: sometimes it’s just easier to throw away the whole Tupperware container instead of opening it up to see the science experiment growing inside!
Bedroom
We know we’re getting a little too close for comfort, but mold can be found in your bedroom, even in the mattress. Our mattresses soak up a lot of sweat while we sleep, and when combined with our body heat, it’s a recipe for fungal growth and mold.
Check the walls and floor of your bedroom closet too, especially if you have a habit of leaving wet shoes or raincoats in there to dry after snowy or rainy weather.
Basements And Attics
Basements and attics are often damp, lack ventilation, and are dusty. These are three key ingredients mold loves. And since you might not spend a lot of time in these places, it’s easy to miss any growth or areas of concern.
If your house’s ventilation system is located in the attic, know that any unmanaged mold near it can spread through the ventilation system and throughout your entire home.
Schedule A Mold Inspection
Mold is not only unsightly but it can also be the cause of many health problems, including headaches, itching, runny nose, difficulty breathing and other cold-like symptoms.
Let HighTek Home Inspections check your home for signs of mold. Whether you noticed a small spot of concern in your bathroom or you want to check the whole house, we have a mold inspection service for your needs. After the inspection, we will send your samples to a lab and provide your family with a detailed report of the results, giving you peace of mind. One spot samples start at $75.
If you’re in the Greater Cincinnati, Hamilton or Dayton, Ohio area, check out our services and prices, then schedule your home inspection today! For more tips and our latest updates, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, SPECTORA or Instagram.
