Where To Look for Mold in Your Home

5/30/2019 (Permalink)

What are mold and mildew

If you know where to look for mold, you can stop mold damage before it gets too serious. In O'Fallon,MO, this is an important issue for any homeowner. Mold can be predictable, so it’s a good idea to educate yourself about how mold works in order to stay on top of it.

What Are Mold and Mildew?

Mold is a type of fungus that can cause structural damage to your home. It reproduces via microscopic airborne spores, so it can only be seen once it begins growing as a colony. Mold growth has a fuzzy appearance due to multicellular filaments known as hyphae and can present in a variety of colors, such as black, brown, blue, green, yellow, pink and white. It emits a distinct musky odor. Mildew growth is a specific type of mold that appears chalky rather than fuzzy and is usually white or gray. It does not cause as much damage as mold.

Where Does Mold Like To Hang Out?

Since moisture facilitates mold, it is best to identify any sources of this in your home, such as leaky pipes. Mold likes to feed on organic material, such as drywall, paper, wood and fibers that have been exposed to water. You should routinely inspect the following places for mold damage.

• Basement
  
• Kitchen
  
• Bathroom
  
• Area near HVAC
  
• Anywhere that appears damp
  
  

What Should You Do When You Find It?

If you locate evidence of damage from mold in your inspections, the first thing you should do is have the problem assessed by professionals. They can recommend how to move forward via a mold remediation process. Mold can never be totally removed because it is a natural component of the air around you, but it can be managed to stay within appropriate levels. You should not attempt to remove mold on your own.

Knowing where to expect mold in your home is an important first step in preventing mold damage. Remember, mold loves moisture.