Where Are You Likely To Find Black Mold at Home

The trifecta of humidity, moisture, and poor airflow is the primary cause of black mold growth in homes. At MoldTech, we help families discover these risk factors through mold testing in Vaughan. Early detection is the best way to prevent the health risks that come along with toxic mold species like Stachybotrys Chartarum and avoid the costly damage and repairs needed after black mold removal. If the sound of this makes you nervous, don’t fret — the MoldTech team has a few tips and tricks to help you. 

Common Areas Where Black Mold Grows Indoors

The first thing you need to know to prevent mold growth is what rooms you’re likely to find mold growing in. While mold can grow in any room of the house, it’s more common in areas that touch on the trifecta we mentioned earlier — humidity, moisture, and ventilation issues. These spaces include:

1. Bathrooms and Showers: High humidity from bathing, plenty of opportunities for splashes, leaks, and drips, and small enclosed rooms make for a hotbed of mold growth!  You may find mold growing along surfaces like grout, under sinks or around pipes, and behind toilets. 
2. Basements and Crawlspaces: The basement or crawlspace is often one of the first places to be affected by black mold growth in Vaughan. Water can enter through leaks, drips, or unexpected floods, and few windows make for poor air movement. This lack of ventilation can promote high humidity, which is why many families need dehumidifiers in the basement. Mold can be found on insulation, wood framing, drywall, or even on concrete walls and flooring. 
3. Kitchens: Like the bathroom, the kitchen has plenty of moisture movement from sinks, appliances, and cooking. Food scraps lost beneath cupboards can grow mold, but so can the dark depths of cabinets, drywall, and ceilings. 
4. Attics: Roof leaks and a lack of insulation can be the catalyst for attic mold growth. Sheathing, joists, and insulation can all fall victim to mold. One of the biggest problems in attics is a lack of proper ventilation that traps warm, moist air. 
5. Windows and Window Frames: The glass in windows will conduct heat between the indoors and out; when this temperature difference is high, condensation may occur, and it can drip or soak into the surrounding frames, sparking mold growth. Windows are also a permeable barrier, and loose seals, old caulking, or problems with this barrier can let moisture in between the walls. 
6. HVAC Systems and Air Ducts: Mold spreads via airborne spores, which means that a mold infestation in the kitchen may not stay put for long if spores get into your ducts or HVAC system. Pay close attention to vents and registers while cleaning, and regularly change the filter on your furnace or have your ducts cleaned. 
7. Laundry Rooms: Damp clothes, water pipes, and hot air in the laundry room can all contribute to mold growth. Look behind or underneath the washing machine or inside the door of front-loading machines. If you like to air dry clothes, do so where there’s plenty of ventilation so that evaporating moisture doesn’t just stick around. 

Signs Black Mold Is Growing in Your Home

Mold may grow out in the open, but it more frequently grows hidden behind walls, inside cupboards, or under flooring. Here are some of the signs you might need a black mold removal:

• A musty odour
• Visible black or green patches
• An increase in allergy symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, or a runny nose
• Peeling paint, wallpaper, or warped walls
• Headaches

How MoldTech Prevents and Removes Black Mold

We recommend having professional mold testing in Vaughan as soon as you notice the signs of mold growth in any of the at-risk areas we’ve outlined in this article. Mold can grow quickly and spread to other rooms of your house; a quick response can help you safely remove active spores before they have a chance to multiply. 

When families ask for help remediating mold-prone homes, our services always include recommendations to prevent repeat infestations. It’s not as complicated as you may think — small changes, like installing a dehumidifier in the basement, may be all that’s necessary to control moisture and prevent mold.

To learn more about MoldTech’s remediation services, mold testing, or mold removal in Vaughan, please get in touch with our team and speak to our friendly team. 

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