Top 5 Places for Mold Growth in Your Home

9/11/2023 (Permalink)

Avoid mold growth in your North St. Paul, MN home.

Unfortunately, mold is an uninvited guest in many households in White Bear Lake, MN. Mold growth can happen in various places around the home, although some areas are more common than others for this unwanted substance.

Conditions for Mold Growth

Mold thrives in certain conditions. Without them, it is hard for it to grow and spread. Mold prefers areas that have:

• Water or moisture
• Warmth
• Oxygen
• Darkness
• Food

Mold feeds not only on food items such as meat, fruit and vegetables. It also gets food from household materials. You may find mold on wood or wet carpet, or moldy drywall in a damp basement.

What areas around the home are the most common for mold? Here are the top places you can find it.

1. Bathrooms

Your bathroom is perhaps the wettest room in your house. Between the tub, toilet and sink, mold has an abundant water source in this room. Add in the warmth and humidity from steamy showers and wet towels, and you have a breeding ground for mold.

Clean your bathroom frequently to discourage mold from growing. Pay special attention to tile grout and caulk. Wash shower curtains and bath mats often. Don't leave wet towels bunched up on the floor.

2. Kitchens

The sink, refrigerator and dishwasher are water sources for mold in the kitchen. It can feed on old food in the refrigerator, trash can or cabinets. It can collect on unwashed dishes. It can even find a home on clean, damp dishes stored in a dark cupboard.

To combat mold in the kitchen, wash damp rags and towels frequently. Throw away old food. Check under the cabinets and behind appliances for leaks.

3. Laundry Rooms

A leaky washing machine and damp clothes can give mold a place to grow. Take care not to leave wet clothing piled around the laundry room. Check hoses regularly for leaks.

4. Basements and Attics

The basement and attic in your home are typically dark, undisturbed areas. They can easily collect water from leaky vents or walls. They can also build up condensation if not properly vented. You may need to make an effort to inspect these areas if you don't use them regularly. Check for leaks and mold. If you see large growth areas, you can call a professional restoration service to have it removed.

5. Bedrooms

While you might not have a direct water source in the bedroom, leaking windows or ceilings can introduce moisture into this room. An old mattress or pillow can also harbor mold. They can collect moisture from humidity and sweat, and mold can feed on the porous material inside.

It isn't too hard to inhibit mold in the bedroom. Watch for moisture around windows and ceilings. Encase your mattress in a protective cover or choose one that is mold-resistant. You can also air out your bed and rotate the mattress frequently. Replace old pillows and enclose new ones in a protective case.

Mold growth is no fun to deal with. Preventing it from appearing in the first place is your best mold-fighting strategy. If you check for leaks around your home and clean high-moisture areas frequently, you should be able to keep your White Bear Lake, MN, house in good shape.