Hello World! Welcome Friends! Molds can grow on food, plants, fabric, paper, and even inside your home. While they are an integral part of the ecosystem, helping break down organic materials, molds can seriously threaten your health. They can cause respiratory problems and allergic reactions, among other health issues.
Molds are also not good for the home. They reproduce from the outside by releasing floating spores that can land anywhere and enter your house through windows, doors, fabrics, shoes, HVAC units, pets, and even clothing. Once inside, molds will grow quickly once they find a damp spot due to a leak in your roof or other areas.
Molds in the Home
Mold growth in your home is a problem because it can lead to two major problems, according to experts in water damage restoration in Colorado Springs. First, drywalls, wallpapers, ceilings, floors, ceilings, and carpets will be damaged. Although this won’t happen immediately, repairs can become difficult if the mold problem is not resolved immediately. Second, molds can cause difficulty in breathing, nasal congestion, and frequent sneezing. People with compromised immune systems and those suffering from cystic fibrosis or chronic obstructive lung disease are at greater risk of infection.
Home Areas Where You Should Check for Molds
If you have experienced flooding, wallpaper peeling, or a feeling that you have the flu, it might be time for you to inspect the following areas as they may have become breeding grounds of mold spores:
1. Bathroom
The bathroom can be a warm and humid place, especially if it doesn’t have adequate ventilation like fans or windows. Molds will find this the perfect area to grow, especially behind the toilet tank, on the wall, and in the shower where moisture can be excessive.
2. Kitchen
Mold growth can be caused by leftover food, piled-up and unwashed dishes, and humidity from your stove. Below the kitchen sink, sponges and leaky pipes are the common culprits while in the refrigerator; expired food and dripping trays can inspire molds to multiply.
3. Bedroom
Even though the bedroom has controlled humidity, all interior spaces should be inspected as part of your cleaning routine. Close attention should be given to the window, sills, and heating and air conditioning units.
4. Living Room
It’s fun to eat snacks while watching TV, and it can also be a relaxing experience to look at household plants. However, this opens up the opportunity for molds to develop, especially on the sofa and in the spots where moisture is present because of the plants.
5. Walls and Ceilings
Molds can hide beneath your ceilings and behind the walls, but if you notice that these are starting to fall off, don’t attempt to remove them yourself. You might unknowingly release mold spores.
6. Garage and Basement
Dark storage areas in garages and basements are common. Molds can easily get into them if you have home leaks. Inspect the areas where stored items are often placed but rarely moved, especially near the pipes and the sump pump.
How to Test for Mold in Your House
Some molds can be visible as they have a velvety and fuzzy appearance and sport white, yellow, or black color. Sometimes they look like stains or discolorations. If you’re unsure, you may want to use one of the three tests below to check if what you’re seeing are live molds.
1. Bleach Test
Mix bleach and water and apply this to the wall. Mold is present if the dark spot becomes lighter and then turns dark again.
2. Screwdriver Test
Tap a screwdriver on your wooden floor. If it’s soft or you feel like it’s crumbling, there’s a good chance that molds have infested the wood material.
3. Mold Test Kits
This will involve collecting mold samples and placing these into a Petri dish. It will take around 24-48 hours for any growth to be seen. Ideally, you should send the mold testing results to a laboratory for verification. If mold presence is confirmed, you have to hire the services of a water damage restoration company to have the fungi removed.
Key Takeaway
When checking for molds at home, there are areas that you should concentrate on. Topping the list is the bathroom since there’s often excess moisture here. Other places worth inspecting are the attic, basement, kitchen, bedroom, and living room.
Meanwhile, if you think you see molds on the wall or the floor but are a bit unsure, you can do the bleach test and the screwdriver test. If they turn out to be molded as you suspect, don’t remove them yourself since this will put your health at risk or compromise the integrity of your home. The best way to get rid of molds is to contact a professional who can provide you with efficient mold removal and mitigation services.
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