Where Mold Could Be Hiding in Your House

4/20/2018 (Permalink)

This is a photo of mold at a Green Bay area home before we cleaned it up.

As we’ve said in the past, mold can be a very tricky fungus, sometimes growing behind walls and under carpets. But did you know there are areas all over your home mold could be hiding?

It’s true and it can happen even if you don’t experience a flooded home. Luckily, there are some things you can do to try to stop mold from growing.  Many of these good practices involve keeping materials dry and ensuring good air circulation.  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a list of rooms you might find mold and advice for stopping it in its tracks:

• The attic or roof: the EPA says not to ignore wet spots up here and have any leaks fixed ASAP. 
• Bedrooms and closets: the EPA says not to ignore wet or flaking paint. Try to keep the humidity levels to between 30% and 60%.
• Bathrooms: all the water and steam here can cause mold growth. Try to run the exhaust fan or open a window when showering.
• Kitchen: leaking pipes can lurk under the sink, get them fixed! Cooking can also cause humidity, so run your kitchen’s exhaust fan.
• Basement: keep a dehumidifier down here and ensure your clothes dryer is properly vented to the outside.
• Yard: water pooling around the house can lead to moisture inside. Set up outdoor drainpipes at least five feet from the foundation and ensure land around the house slopes downward and away from the house.
• Windows: condensation on windows can be a sign of high indoor humidity!

The EPA says mold can cause immediate or delayed allergic reactions and can also cause asthma attacks in people who suffer from asthma. In addition, mold can irritate the eyes, skin, throat, nose and lungs of people with and without allergies. According to the EPA, research into mold’s effect on people’s health is ongoing.

To help ensure healthy air quality, SERVPRO of West Brown County is fully prepared to handle mold remediation at your Green Bay area home or business. You can always reach us at 920-434-8224.

And be on the lookout for our next blog post where we’ll describe and explain the equipment and techniques our team uses to clean up mold. That post will go live in two days!