Is There Mold Growing in Your Home?

What do artisan cheeses, the shower you’ve neglected to deep clean in the guest bathroom, and that fruit you swore you’d eat January 1st now tucked away at the bottom of your fridge have in common?

Mold.

While clearly not all mold is created equally, and there are many different types, nobody wants a room, a section, or an entire home to contain these pesky fungi.

Today, we will dive in on where to locate mold, and more importantly, how to create a proper plan for mold prevention to protect your family and your home.

Understanding the Different Types of Molds

As we have discussed, mold can be found in a wide range in our everyday lives. This is because there are many different molds throughout the world, but we will focus on the ones most likely to show up in your home, such as under a faucet or in a home’s air ducts.

The three most common types of mold found in a home, according to HGTV, are:

• Aspergillus- An extremely common genus of fungus that can cause infection, although most humans breathe this mold daily to little or no complications. People with weakened immune systems or lung disease pose a higher risk of having serious health problems as a result of infection. Pets also have the possibility of developing health issues from this particular fungus.

• Cladosporium- Thankfully, this genus very rarely infects humans; however, it can still cause irritations to humans.

• Stachybotrys atra (a.k.a. black mold)- Probably the most well-known mold in regards to infesting a home. While there is some scientific debate on whether or not this genus is indeed toxic, there have been reports of black mold generating sickness in both humans and pets.

No matter what color, or stage, it is important that all molds are treated the same and eliminated. Ridding your home of mold can have health benefits for its inhabitants and will help protect your investment.

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Areas Where Mold Can Rapidly Grow

Identifying mold is important. The earlier signs are discovered, the quicker and typically easier it is for a homeowner to increase mold prevention or begin eliminating the fungus.

While many areas of a home may contain mold, checking rooms and areas that contain moisture is a critical place to begin your search. Be sure you are regularly searching rooms in which leaks or irrigation are present.

Common rooms and areas that should be routinely monitored in a home are:

• Bathrooms- A room almost entirely dedicated to plumbing and the use of water indoors. Shower walls, plumbing, toilets, and even the walls that house the piping should all be routinely cleaned and observed.
• Kitchens- Beyond sinks and pipes, homeowners should monitor activity from appliances such as dishwashers and refrigerators. Refrigerators should also be checked for spoiled food as they can be a source of mold.
• Garages- Many garages have sinks, freezers, and can also be exposed to inadvertent water sources such as rain. Be sure to check for signs of leaks and eradicate moisture whenever possible.
• Basements- While not exactly popular in the Houston area, they are possible, albeit rare. Especially in a city so low to sea-level, it is imperative that if your home is an anomaly with a basement, be sure to routinely check for signs of mold and any sign of moisture should be eliminated immediately.
• Attics- Often forgotten in the fight against mold, attics can pose a serious threat to keeping your home mold free. Mold testing is popular for many of the previously mentioned rooms, but attics can also be exposed to mold from HVAC units. Furthermore, HVAC units containing mold are hazardous to your household’s health as the ventilation system and air quality will have an effect on how much mold is inhaled by its occupants.

Indoor areas in the core living space are an obvious priority when examining for mold or conducting mold testing, but outdoor areas near hoses or structures containing water such as pools or pool houses should also be monitored vigilantly. Additionally, any shops or sheds connected to the home or not should also be searched for signs.

How to Eliminate Mold From Your Home

So now that we know what to look for, as well as where to find mold, let’s dig into how to prevent and eliminate mold.

Molding surfaces depreciate home values, are harmful to your health, and are just plain gross.

If you suspect mold or have found one of the previously listed signs, here are a few ways to rid your home of this disgusting hypha:

• Consistent cleaning of moist areas will help reduce mold growth.
• As previously mentioned, removing any and all moisture is key in mold prevention.
• Molding areas of a home can be treated with common household items such as bleach, hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, or baking soda.
• Dusting and general cleaning is a great way to eliminate mold. Remember that HVAC units play a heavy role in what we breathe in our homes and mold can and will attach itself to your household items via dust reducing your quality of air.

Mold testing is an important component in defeating mold. If you suspect mold in an area that is not easily accessible such as your air conditioning ducts, it is important you consult with an expert.

Living in a Mold Free Environment

The best news is that between responsible monitoring and a combination of household items, mold can be routinely eliminated with relative ease.

Your home’s integrity and the overall health benefits of its residents both improve greatly when homeowners are responsible for their mold elimination.

Still, even the most watchful owner can fall victim to a lapse in protection. If you or your family suspect their health is possibly declining due to molding and your HVAC system may be to blame, look to our experts at Cruz Air & Electric. With over 35 years in the business, we know the signs and solutions for mold prevention. Contact us today and put your household on a path to better quality air.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote.