Attention to the above areas can help you rid your home of
mold
Inside Cabinets
Any
place that is dark, and where moisture can accumulate, is a
potential breeding ground for mold.
Beneath
Drywall
When mold grows within wall cavities (which it
often does) the nearby drywall is usually infected as well. If toxic
mold does become engrained in the drywall, it should be replaced
(after the mold is cleaned up and the source of excessive moisture
is resolved).
If your walls show signs of mold (cracked/peeling
paint, bulging behind the paint, discoloration of walls), then that
section of drywall should be torn out and inspected. If the drywall
is determined to have mold (How you know if what you've found is
Mold), then follow the suggestions on the
Behind Floor
Baseboards
The space between the wall and the
baseboards serves as a great growing ground for mold. Since it is a
fairly sealed off space, it traps moisture. Plus, a lot of dirt ends
up here, providing the mold colonies with plenty of nutrients to
thrive.
Basements /
Crawl Spaces
If you suspect that you have a mold
problem, then you should be especially conscientious of the basement
or crawl space of your house. This level has more of a chance of
fostering mold growth than any other level in the home. In
basements and crawl spaces, just look for any evidence of dampness.
Be especially aware of any black mold growth that might be taking
place in wooden building materials, especially in the framing, since
this is the best path for mold to take to other parts of the home.
It can also lead to the weakening of beams and other bearing walls
that are crucial in the stability of the structure.
Water-Damaged Areas
Any area
where flooding, leaks, or other types of water damage have occurred
are prime candidates for toxic black mold growth.
Rooms /
Areas with High Relative Humidity
If the relative
humidity in a certain room or area is commonly above 55%, then over
time, there is a strong likelihood a mold problem will occur. In
which case, it is important to monitor areas with high humidity on a
regular basis. In order to determine the relative humidity for a
room or area, you will need a relative humidity sensor
Above
Ceiling
Just as mold in the wall cavities can lead to
mold growth in interior walls, the same can happen in the spaces
above ceilings. Especially since a common source of water
infiltration - roof leaks - start from above. If you see any
evidence of water damage or biological growth in your ceilings, then
you should investigate right away.
Beneath
Bathroom/Kitchen Sinks
This is yet another place where moisture is commonly a
problem, and therefore another place where mold can often be found.
Behind
Wallpaper
The glue from the wall paper attracts a lot
of organic material (such as dust) that serves as a favorite
nutrient of mold.
Moist
Window Frames
The window frame is in a position where
warm air commonly meets cold or cooler air, as a result of the
temperature difference outside and inside. This formula leads to
condensation, which leads to mold growth. Look for biological
growth in the seal where the window frame meets the wall.
Inside Wall
Cavities
This is another place where warm air meets cooler air,
especially the walls around the perimeter of the home or
building. Plus, wall cavities are good at trapping moisture.
In addition to all this, pipes often leak in between walls, where we
are not aware they are occurring. If mold is present inside mold
cavities, it will eventually manifest its presence by working its
way to the outside of the walls, where it will be visible. If signs
of excessive moisture and mold begin to show on your walls, you can
smell the musty odor, and you or others in your home or building are
showing health effects from mold, then it is likely growing in your
wall cavities. If this is the case, then you will need to remove the
drywall in places where you suspect the mold is growing within the
wall. Then, you will need to clean and remove the mold.
Particle Board Material
This material is another desirable source of nutrition
for mold.
Fiberglass Insulation and/or Backing and other
Insulation Material
Mold does not live and grow on the
insulation itself. However, fiberglass and other types of insulation
collect a lot of dust and other organic particulate. It is this dirt
and grime that are able to make insulation a nice home and breeding
ground for mold. Exposed insulation in the ductwork, attacks,
and basements/crawl spaces are most susceptible to mold growth.
Flooring
Just as moisture and dirt
become trapped between walls and above ceilings, they also become
trapped beneath the floor. Tile and carpet make great environments
for mold since they collect a lot of dust and other organics for
mold to feed on. Carpet can become especially ideal for mold growth
since it also holds in moisture.
Ductwork/HVAC Systems
In addition
to the insulation (if present), mold can grow in a variety of other
places in the ductwork/HVAC system. Other than the insulation, the
two other places mold is most likely to grow is the condenser or
cooling coil and the drain pan. In central air systems, these are
located in the air handler (by the fan).
The cooling coil cools
the air that comes into the system below the dew point, to remove
the condensation from the air. As a result, condensation builds up
on the coil itself, making it vulnerable to biological growth,
including mold. The drain pan is located beneath the coil, and
collects the condensation that drips off the coil. Naturally, the
water in the drain pan can become the perfect environment for mold
growth, especially if the pan is not sloped. If it is flat, then the
water will become stagnant, increasing the likelihood of mold
growth. If your system has an in-duct humidifier, then it can add
too much moisture into the ductwork. When this added moisture
combined with dirt and grime, mold can germinate in the ducts.
Evaporative Coolers (a.k.a. Swamp Coolers)
Evaporative
coolers increase humidity in the home or building. They cool
the air by evaporating water (which has a cooling effect), then blow
this air inside. In which case, the air has an increased moisture
content.
As a
result, evaporative coolers increase the potential for mold growth,
especially nearby the unit.
Refrigerators
The drain
pan beneath the refrigerator should be regularly checked for mold and
other types of microbiological growth.
Plant Pots
The fact
that plants need to be watered regularly,
and that the soil contains valuable nutrients for
mold, equals a haven for mold.
Cracked / Peeling Paint
This is a
sign that there is excessive moisture within
the wall, meaning that there could also be
mold growth nearby.
Sweating Pipes
When this
happens, track where the moisture is
accumulating. This can lead you to mold
growth.
Shower Curtains
Between the dirt and grime we wash off
ourselves, and the water that can usually be found on shower
curtains, mold is often to be found as
well.
