The Areas of Your Home That Are Most Susceptible to Mold Growth

Many homeowners assume that if they need mold removal in Toronto, it’ll be the basement that’s affected. However, the MoldTech team has been over every square inch of the average GTA home during mold testing and inspection and can assure you this assumption, while often correct, is just as frequently wrong. We’ve found mold infestations in rooms of every size and use, as well as other floors, too — condos, apartments, and other dwellings are not immune either! In this article, our team will share some of the areas of your home that are most susceptible to mold growth — and what you can do about it. 

The Basement

It’s true that the basement is one of the rooms most often infected by mold colonies — and for good reasons. Mold thrives in rooms that have even temperatures, a source of moisture, and have poor airflow, with an abundant source of food like wood, paper, or textiles. Unfortunately, our basements often have these conditions in spades. 

The most important element in the basement is moisture. Basements, crawl spaces, and below-grade rooms often have moisture issues. Drains, sump pumps, laundry rooms, and water mains can all be the cause of accidental leakage or floods. Poor airflow due to a lack of windows or circulation exacerbates these moisture issues and lays the groundwork for strong, healthy mold colonies.

The Bathroom

During mold testing, the MoldTech team pays close attention to all bathrooms or powder rooms. Showers, tubs, toilets, and sinks can all drip or sprout leaks that can contribute to mold infestations, but the real risk in bathrooms is steam and humidity. Having a hot bath or shower creates tons of airborne water, which can move through your home and spark mold colonies in otherwise dry spaces. 

Bathrooms also tend to have dark cupboards that hold moisture and hide pipe leaks. Liquid solutions like cleaners, shampoos, and soaps that leak may also provide the right kind of moisture and food for mold growth.

The Attic

Much of MoldTech’s work over the last decade has been in people’s attics. Most attics in Toronto are unusable — accessible only through hatches in closets, dark and full of insulation. These conditions usually keep the attic environment stable, but they’re also the cause of many missed infestations. 

Mold begins growing in the attic for many reasons. Often, it’s because insulation has shifted to cover vents or soffits, restricting airflow; leaks, damage, and heat buildup can cause condensation and moisture levels to rise, too. Hidden under layers of insulation, attic mold infestations can grow for years without detection, especially without regular mold inspections.

How to Reduce Your Risk of Mold at Home

In the battle against mold growth, the MoldTech team thinks that knowledge is power — and there are several things you can do right after reading this to reduce your risk of mold growth at home. 

For basements, we almost always recommend using a dehumidifier: they’re inexpensive, can often be hooked up straight to the drain (no need to drain it every few hours!), and significantly reduce humidity. 

In the bathroom, we suggest promoting airflow by ensuring that steam has somewhere to go that’s out of the house. Cracking the window is the simplest and most cost-free solution, but exhaust fans are even better. 

Finally, we suggest booking a mold test or professional inspection in the attic. This ensures that the stuffy, dark, and hard-to-reach attic is safely assessed and that samples are taken to alert us to hidden infestations.

Restore Your Home with MoldTech

Sometimes, there is nothing you can do to prevent mold growth — a freak flood or hidden problem can fester for years before there are visible signs or evidence. If you discover mold, call the MoldTech team for mold removal in Toronto — our friendly and knowledgeable team would be happy to help restore your home!

CALL NOW!