Mold is a serious problem. It spreads quickly, ruins materials throughout your home, and can dangerously harm the air quality of your home and lead to unpleasant health symptoms. Finding and eliminating mold before it builds up is critical. To protect your health and your home, you should keep an eye out for early signs of a mold problem. Here are some of the most common places mold may grow in your home:

Bathroom

The bathroom is a perfect environment for mold growth, especially if it's not well ventilated. Moisture from the shower and sink can easily lead to mold growth, so it's important to get as much air circulation in the bathroom as possible. You may see signs of mold in the following places:

• Underneath the sink

• Behind the toilet

• Around shampoo bottles in the shower

• On the bathroom mat

• Between the tiles

It’s important to realize that mold can grow extremely quickly in the right environment, so keep a watchful eye out!

Kitchen Appliances

Like the bathroom, your kitchen is a common place for mold when there are high levels of moisture and humidity. Mold often grows in the seals of the dishwasher or refrigerator as well as underneath the sink. Old food also provides a great home for mold. Check for expired food in your refrigerator, spills or splatters in the microwave, and crumbs around the sink or trash can.

Vents

Mold sometimes builds up in air conditioning and heating vents. This can be a particularly harmful place for mold to grow because it can contaminate the air in your home, which may affect your health. You might see visible signs of mold in the air ducts, vents, or drip pan, or you may notice a musty smell when your HVAC unit is running. Regular cleaning and maintenance can reduce the risk of a serious mold problem in your air ducts.

By regularly checking your home for mold, you can eliminate a problem before it escalates. The best way to prevent mold is to reduce moisture and humidity throughout your home. At the first sign of mold, clean and dry the area thoroughly before it has the chance to build up.

Our indoor air quality specialists are available to thoroughly inspect your entire HVAC system, find the cause of the musty odors, and take the proper steps to remedy the problem. There is no charge for this assessment.