Mold is a common organism that can be found both indoors and outdoors. It can grow anyplace where organic matter comes into contact with moisture. When mold grows in your home or business, it can result in a variety of health issues for anyone who has allergies or a chronic respiratory condition such as asthma. For this reason, it’s important to get rid of mold as soon as you notice it in your home or business.
While there are many instances where mold is visible to the naked eye, such as on ceilings, bathroom tiles, or walls, it’s also common for mold to grow in places where you either can’t see it or typically wouldn’t look for it. If you experience symptoms that resemble mold allergies, such as sneezing, congestion, runny nose, cough, or throat or eye irritation, you may want to check the following common places where mold might be hiding.
Kitchen
Between water constantly running in the sink, boiling water on the stove, and organic matter from food, there are a variety of places where mold can develop in a kitchen. Some of the most common areas to check include:
- Under the sink – Mold grows in warm, dark, moist environments. Between condensation on pipes and plumbing leaks, there are plenty of opportunities for moisture to accumulate under the sink.
- Refrigerator – The refrigerator is a common place for mold to grow. When food items are left in there too long, mold can begin to grow on them. In addition, refrigerator drip pans are an out-of-site area where mold commonly grows since it collects a lot of moisture from condensation and food spills. The seals on your refrigerator can also attract mold if they are consistently wet.
- Dishwasher – Some newer dishwashers don’t do a great job at eliminating all the moisture during the drying cycle, creating an ideal breeding ground for mold. If moisture gets into your dishwasher seals, this may be another location where it can grow. Finally, if your dishwasher drying cycle doesn’t do an effective job, you may also develop mold on your dishes if you don’t thoroughly dry them by hand before putting them away.
Bathroom
Showers create an especially warm, wet environment in bathrooms, making them optimal locations for mold to grow. This is especially true if your bathroom lacks proper ventilation from either a fan and/or a window. The following are the most common places for mold to grow in a bathroom:
- Shower and bathtub – Showers and bathtubs that are used on a regular basis are ideal environments for mold to thrive. This can include the shower curtain, around the faucet and shower head, on washcloths, and in the tile grout.
- Sink – Bathroom sinks are also a common place to find mold. It can be found underneath the sink where condensation on pipes and leaky plumbing create lots of moisture. It also can grow inside a toothbrush holder.
- Toilet – Mold can grow behind the toilet and inside the tank, where moisture is prevalent.
- Rugs – Bathroom rugs can easily develop mold, especially if they aren’t washed regularly.
Laundry Room
Front-loading washing machines are particularly susceptible to mold, especially if the door is shut when the machine isn’t in use. This is because the gasket surrounding the door consistently stays wet, trapping in the moisture. In addition, if you don’t remove wet clothes promptly after the cycle is done, your wet clothes may begin to develop mold.
Basement
Basements are often dark and damp with poor ventilation. As a result, there are a number of places that are prone to mold growth, including:
- Near a sump pump
- Around ducting and pipes (these areas are prone to leaks and condensation)
- On windows or vents
- Near areas where the foundation may be leaking
Air Conditioners
Air conditioners bring in dirt and pollen from the outside air and also experience high levels of condensation, creating a perfect environment for mold to grow. As a result, it’s common for mold to develop throughout your air conditioning ducting system.
Carpeting, Fabric, and Upholstery
Fabric surfaces are highly porous and prone to developing mold when they get wet. It’s common to find mold on couches and curtains.
Carpeting is another area where mold often grows undetected. When large spills and leaks occur, they can seep deep into your carpet and even into the carpet padding underneath, causing mold to grow.
Windowsills
Windowsills exposed to high levels of moisture from condensation and rain are also common areas for mold to grow. In addition, the dirt that accumulates on windows can interact with moisture to create ideal conditions.
JRCC Damage Restoration Experts Can Help You Get Rid of Mold
If you’re experiencing a mold issue in your home or business, it’s important to have it addressed by a professional mold remediation expert. If mold isn’t eliminated properly, it can grow back and spread to other parts of your building, creating a larger problem that can potentially lead to health issues for anyone with mold allergies.
JRCC Damage Restoration Experts has been performing comprehensive mold remediation services in the greater Seattle & Spokane Metro Area since 1954. We use the most advanced equipment and techniques to ensure all mold is removed properly and will not regrow.
We can handle jobs of any size and will perform every aspect of the process to ensure a seamless experience. This gives you peace of mind that everything is done properly, and your home will be free of mold moving forward.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment. JRCC Damage Restoration Experts serves customers in the greater Seattle & Spokane Metro Area.