Common areas of the home where mold is found: The attic, basement, kitchen and bathroom.
Mold can be found throughout your home, and its removal is important before before allowing it to spread. So what is mold? Mold is a kind of fungus that sprouts from microscopic airborne spores. When these spores multiply and grow on surfaces, the mold becomes visible to the naked eye. Exposure to mold can be a health hazard, particularly to those who are sensitive to it or have respiratory and immune issues. It can cause nasal congestion, coughing, wheezing, throat and eye irritation, and sometimes more serious allergic reactions. People with a compromised immune system may develop a lung infection from prolonged exposure to mold-infested environments.
For mold to grow, there are a few key elements that need to be present: microscopic airborne mold spores (which are virtually everywhere), moisture, oxygen, and warmth. Every home has areas that are prone to the growth of mold. Let’s have a look at a few of the most common places in a house that mold is found.
Mold in the Attic
A hidden mold danger in many houses is found in the attic. It’s an area that most people don’t think about often, much less inspect on a regular basis. Nevertheless, leaking roofs and poor ventilation can turn your attic into prime real estate for mold spores.
Attic mold removal is usually more complex than in other parts of the home. Materials containing mold, such as insulation, must be carefully contained before removal to prevent the spores from traveling to other parts of the house. Spores that have grown on wooden surfaces, like trusses, framing, and plywood, can have roots that get as deep as 1/8” into the wood. It must be destroyed using a process that will ensure it will not grow back. At Steri Mobile, we go a few steps further by applying a shock treatment throughout the attic to kill any remaining airborne spores, and we apply a borate-based inhibitor to prevent the future growth of mold.
Of course, before attic mold removal can take place, it’s critical to determine the root cause of the growth and to resolve that issue immediately.
Mold in the Basement
Basements have the reputation of being a damp and humid part of the home. The source of the moisture is often from cracks in the foundation, leaks in plumbing fixtures, or condensation from appliances. You may detect a musty odor, which can be the first sign of mold being present. But the absence of a smell is not necessarily an indication that no mold is present.
Look for signs of mold growth around the foundation where leaks may exist. Concrete is porous and can hold a certain amount of humidity. Once it has reached its saturation point, condensation will begin to form. It’s important that there is adequate drainage around the foundation.
You should also check for the presence of mold behind baseboards, under carpets, around pipes, under utility sinks, and around washing machines, hot water tanks, and sump pumps.
Mold in the Kitchen
Kitchens are another room where mold growth commonly happens, thanks to heat and humidity from appliances and leaks and moisture around the sink.
Check for mold in the cabinet under the sink. If your plumbing leaks, it will be necessary to repair it to prevent further mold growth. Watch for mold growth around the sink. Here too, if there isn’t a water-tight seal between the sink and countertop, water can pool around the sink and seep down and result in mold.
Mold in the Bathroom
Steam from hot showers and baths can also bring about the growth of mold, particularly if your bathroom isn’t adequately ventilated. Poorly sealed grout around tiles and caulk that has begun to peel can hold moisture and lead to mold growth.
Sagging and leaking shower drains are also a common problem source of trapped moisture. After years of use, the floor pan of your shower can begin to warp and allow water to leak underneath.
You can reduce the risk of mold growth in your bathroom by venting steam from the room whenever you run the shower or the bath, making sure the seal around the tub and sink is watertight, and keeping surfaces dry.
It’s Best to Leave Mold Removal to the Pros
If caught early enough, less toxic forms of mold can be taken care of using DIY solutions. First, carefully remove mold-covered materials such as carpeting, drywall, and insulation, and then clean hard surfaces with a product containing bleach or ammonia. Again, it’s best to contain the materials in thick plastic bags before removal to prevent the spores from spreading to other parts of the home.
However, if you want to be sure mold removal is done right, and if you suspect there may be mold hidden elsewhere or that you are dealing with more toxic mold, it is recommended that you engage a professional mold removal company in Montreal such as Steri Mobile.
For more information about mold removal and attic mold removal, contact Steri Mobile today (514) 922-6966.