How Mold Sneaks into Your House

5/15/2018 (Permalink)

Mold growing on a piece of furniture in the Green Bay area

As we’ve said time and time again, mold is a very tricky, sneaky fungus. It likes to infiltrate your home or business and grow where you might not expect or even be able to see it.

According to the CDC, mold spores are found pretty much everywhere: indoors and outdoors. With about 100,000 of varieties in existence, it’s no surprise we come into contact with molds of all kinds on a daily basis. Some of those contacts are more positive than others.

We don’t have to tell you, mold growing on walls or furniture in your home or office are on the negative side of things.

The CDC says outdoor mold spores can get inside through pathways like open windows and doors, as well as heating and air conditioning systems and vents. The spores can also hitch a ride on you, your clothing, shoes and even your pets!

The website homes.com also has a list of ten “unexpected” places mold can sneak inside and start growing. The site says a good rule of thumb is that “if it uses water, chances are it’s going to leak,” and if it leaks, chances are mold can grow there.

So, what are those ten places? Here’s the list:

• The dishwasher
• Icemaker connections
• Washing machine connections
• Hot water heater
• Plastic “p-trap,” a connection under your sink
• Toilet connections
• Shower doors
• Tub
• Exterior hose bib
• Outdoor sprinklers (these can spray water on your home at an angle that is optimal for mold growth)

The CDC says the way to prevent mold from growing in these places and spreading to more of your property is to keep them as clean as possible. The best advice is to try to control humidity levels in your home, promptly fix any leaky pipes or water connections (or leaks in roofs or windows!), and ventilate shower, laundry and cooking areas.

According to the CDC, there is evidence that links indoor mold exposure to certain health issues like upper respiratory tract reactions.

So, to keep the air clean and safe in your home, try to keep things as dry as possible!

And if you see or suspect mold growth in your home, give SERVPRO of West Brown County a call. Our technicians are trained to specialize in fast and efficient mold remediation. You can reach us any time at 920-434-8224.