Mold in Unexpected Places
The presence of mold at home is not only unsightly; it can also cause respiratory problems. While you may be doing a good job at preventing mold in obvious places in your home such as the bathroom, there are certain areas that can become damp where mold lurks and multiplies without you even knowing. These things in your home should have regular, deep cleanings done by you. If your home is your part-time or vacation residence, our experienced home watch team can check on your home regularly and make sure that it is mold-free. Some places that you may not always look for mold include:
- Chimneys
- Refrigerator drip pans
- Front loading washing machines
- Window seals
- Dishwasher
- Ice maker connections
- Hot water heaters
To check for mold, first do these 3 things:
- Conduct a visual inspection or have your experienced home watch team check for you. It can appear as a gray, white, brown, yellow, green or black discoloration on a surface.
- Mold gives off a distinct smell. You may have walked into a basement and detected a musty odor. This is a clue mold may be lurking.
- Have a mold sample tested by a specialist to see what type is in your home. Most molds are harmless, but you should be concerned about black mold, which can be toxic to humans.
It is recommended that you keep humidity levels below 55% and run the air conditioner for 10 minutes each day to keep air circulating if it is hot outside. If you take the appropriate precautions and upkeep your home, you should be able to avoid mold.