Uncommon Places You Didn’t Know Mold Could Thrive
Mold can grow in every room of the house, but the exact locations it chooses can be a surprise. In over a decade of service helping families with mold removal in Vaughan, MoldTech has come across dozens of infestations growing in the most unlikely and uncommon places. Whether it’s out in the open or hidden away, mold growth at home causes an array of unpleasant, dangerous, and unhealthy effects for your family and your property. To safely eliminate it, we recommend professional black mold removal as soon as you’re aware there’s a problem because when it comes to mold, procrastination can increase your risk and damage.
In today’s article, we’ll share three common areas homeowners don’t expect to find mold and what we can do to help.
Inside Appliances
Did you just do a double-take? Mold inside appliances is uncommon but not unheard of. There are several good reasons for this phenomenon, and it all comes down to trapped moisture. Your fridge, stove or washing machine are all either hooked up to water or have heating or cooling elements. When there’s a link to water, like the fridge or washing machine, mold can sprout because of leaks or drips. When there’s no water but heating, like the stove, moisture can still form from drips, steam, or condensation.
What makes mold in appliances so tricky is that it’s almost impossible to see — when was the last time you looked behind your fridge? At MoldTech, we’ve discovered mold inside appliances after thorough mold testing and inspection revealed the signs and symptoms pointing towards a hidden infestation that was otherwise invisible.
Beneath Carpeting and Rugs
You could be walking overtop mold every day and not even know it! Carpets and textile fibres are ideal growth mediums for mold because they retain water and prevent airflow and evaporation. A small rug may be easy to wash or air out after a spill or flood, but wall-to-wall carpeting is a more significant challenge. Depending on the materials of your carpet, moisture may not even soak through to the surface, ensuring you have no idea what’s going on under your feet.
Around Window Sills and Frames
Windows are an opening between your interior and exterior, so they’re particularly vulnerable to leaks and damage that can cause mold problems. Water buildup, like from snow and ice, can slowly make its way through cracked or old sealant, frames, bricks or siding, where it collects in between the walls. This airless space provides an ideal breeding ground for many types of mold, and it’s impossible to spot unless it grows through to the interior side.
Why Mold Under Carpeting is a Hidden Hazard
While all three of these hidden areas of mold growth are bad for your home and indoor air quality, the MoldTech team pays special attention to homes with carpeting. Wood, tile, and laminate floors can grow mold too, but because it tends to be more visible or hidden underneath impermeable layers, transfer is much less common. With carpets, however, mold is provided with a soft, cushy base in which to grow through and on. It can transfer to the soles of your shoes or socks and can quickly spread and grow throughout an entire home.
Mold spreads via spores, which are released every time mold is disturbed. All those steps, traffic, and even vacuuming can promote the release of spores, which then travel to new rooms on clothes, feet, pets or even the vacuum — resulting in a nasty cycle that is hard to break.
How Overlooked Areas Can Lead to Huge Mold Infestations
Trust us — it’s easy to miss a mold infestation at home. Whether it’s hiding out in the attic or in between the walls, mold is a living organism that wants to survive and thrive, which means it’s an expert at hiding and camouflaging. The MoldTech team understands that regularly checking under the fridge or in between walls is beyond the ability of most homeowners, which is why we offer comprehensive year-round mold testing and inspection — our tools and equipment can “look” in non-invasive ways and be your eyes and ears in hard to reach areas.
While mold removal in Vaughan isn’t a service you want to have, mold is a common household problem that is straightforward and efficient for our team to remove. Black mold removal is effective too, eliminating 99% of detectable spores and leaving your home clean and safe for your family to enjoy. Don’t let hidden mold growth compromise your home’s health and safety — schedule your mold removal with MoldTech today.
