Uncommon Places for Mold Growth | SERVPRO of Sioux Falls

2/1/2024 (Permalink)

Don't let mold invade your home! Call SERVPRO of Sioux Falls for fast remediation!

We often talk about the places the mold can commonly be found in your home. It is essential to find and correct mold growth before damage sets in, and checking the hotspots around your living space is a great way to stay ahead of the spread.

In order to truly protect your home from mold growth, though, you also need to get to know the uncommon places it can thrive as well. The more you know about where mold likes to hang out, the safer you can keep your house.

Your Appliances

You might already have your appliances that use water on your list of regular places to check for mold, but you need to make sure you are checking all the right areas. Leaks can be common underneath large appliances, but because water touches many more surfaces, there are several spots you need to keep an eye on in order to prevent potential spread.

In your washing machine, check around the seals on the door. Mold commonly grows there on front-loading washers, but regardless of what kind you have, keep it clean.

Leave the door open between uses so that things can dry out completely.

The same spot in your dishwasher is prone to mold growth, so keep an eye on the seal around the door. Don’t put away wet dishes, either—this can cause mold to grow on their surface or in your cabinets.

Your HVAC unit is another spot you may not be checking often enough. Maintain regular temperatures in your home in order to prevent excess humidity. Check around your vents to make sure things are staying clean and dry. Dust is a great meal for mold, so the cleaner things are, the less growth you will have.

Storage

Another uncommon area of our home where mold can thrive is in storage. It is easy to pack things away and forget about them. Even if you do check your attic or basement for extra moisture regularly, you need to also check cardboard boxes, papers filed away and stored toys.

Paper is a great catalyst for mold growth due to the natural materials it is made out of. If you have filing cabinets in your basement, use a dehumidifier to keep things dry. Avoid putting paper in cardboard or other paper-based storage containers as another way to prevent moisture access to the contents inside.

Keep toys that are stored away clean and dry as well. If you have young children, assume toys that should never be wet could be wet. It only takes one of your kiddos having a quick taste of his favorite plaything to leave behind bacteria and enough moisture to start the formation of mold.

Keeping mold at bay can feel like a challenging task when it can live in so many different places, but keeping a close eye on things regularly and maintaining steady temperatures in your home can go a long way in preventing growth. Getting to know the uncommon places can help you stop mold before it starts and keep your home safe from damage.

Have you found mold in your home? Contact us for fast remediation!