This Silent Health Threat Could Be Lurking in Your Home
From your bathroom to your living room, mold can unfortunately grow anywhere in the house for a multitude of reasons. It thrives in moist areas, which is why it's common in the bathroom. But if there's a leak you don't know about or some water damage that was never properly addressed, then mold is bound to follow.
This icky fungus can cause a multitude of health problems and ruin your belongings if it's allowed to spread, which is why it's so important to clean it up as soon as possible. We reached out to Yoel Piotraut, the founder of MyHome Renovation Experts, a leading design-build renovation company in New York City, to learn more about how to test for mold in the home and how to prevent it from happening.
What Is Mold?
Mold is part of the kingdom fungi, and it is a natural and necessary part of the environment. It's found anywhere that oxygen and moisture are present, and while there are over 100,000 known varieties of mold, not all of them are harmful. Mold breaks down dead organic matter—if we didn't have it, decomposing material would pile up and not be recycled back to the earth. However, it becomes an issue when colonies pop up in the home.
How to Tell If Your Home Has Mold
There are a few telltale signs that you have a mold problem, though they're relatively subtle. According to Piotraut, you may notice a persistent musty smell, experience allergy-like symptoms, such as sneezing, coughing, or irritated eyes, or see visible discoloration on surfaces, particularly in corners or around water fixtures.
While there's a vast variety of mold types that come in all shapes and sizes, there are only a few kinds that Piotraut says most often pop up in home settings.
Cladosporium: This genus of fungi includes some of the most common indoor and outdoor molds. It's generally a dark green or black color and typically grows on wood or textiles. It can cause allergy-like symptoms.
Stachybotrys chartarum: Commonly known as black mold, this has a slimy appearance and texture, and it can be potentially toxic.
Aspergillus: Appearing yellow or gray, this mold is often found in HVAC systems. If inhaled, this fungus can cause an infection that could affect your respiratory system.
'While not all mold is harmful, any visible mold growth is a cause for concern and should be addressed promptly,' Piotraut says.
Common Places to Find Mold
Because mold thrives in moisture-rich environments, Piotraut says there are a few places in your home that could easily become a breeding ground for it:
Bathrooms, specifically in showers, under sinks, behind vanities, and on tile grout
Kitchens, especially under or behind dishwashers and cabinets
Windowsills and frames
Closets or corners near exterior walls
Inside HVAC ducts or air conditioning units
Basements or storage areas with little air flow
Generally speaking, mold also thrives in environments with little to no air circulation.
How to Test for Mold in the House
It's possible to self-diagnose your house with mold thanks to that musty smell that often comes with it. If you can't find it straight away, check the places listed above, or look for other common signs of moisture buildup, like bubbling paint, uneven floorboards, and discoloration on finished surfaces.
However, it helps to know for sure by testing. You can purchase an at-home mold testing kit to try it yourself. Piotraut says that My Mold Detective or Mold Armor are good ones to use. Most of these kits have a similar set of instructions—they typically come with a petri dish that you open and leave out for 24 to 48 hours. This allows time for it to collect mold spores from the air. If mold does grow within this timeframe, you can confirm it visually or send it to a lab. However, these home testing kits are limited in their capabilities, and they are only able to tell you that mold is present, not what kind it is. Piotraut adds that they're also not always reliable, especially for hidden mold.
He recommends hiring professionals to come in and conduct air or surface testing, especially if you live in a place where a lack of airflow and ventilation complicates matters.
How to Remove Mold in the Home
If it's been confirmed that mold is present in your home, you'll want to remove it ASAP. Piotraut explains that while it's impossible to eliminate 100 percent of mold spores, it's entirely realistic for an individual to 'remove active growth and restore safety to nonthreatening levels.'
The first and most important step involves locating the source of all that water that's allowing the mold to proliferate. 'The priority is to identify and eliminate the moisture source—whether it's a plumbing leak, condensation, or poor ventilation,' he adds. 'Then, avoid disturbing the mold to prevent it from spreading, and contact a certified mold inspector to conduct proper testing and recommend next steps.'
If the mold you're trying to remove is hard to access or there's simply too much of it to tackle yourself with a store-bought cleaner (knock on not-moldy wood), then it's probably best to hire the professionals. Piotraut says the cost can range from anywhere between $500 to $6,000 for extreme cases. The location and scope of work also affect the timeline, which could last anywhere between one day to a week.
The process varies case by case, but typically, the professionals will remove the contaminated materials from the affected area, thoroughly clean the space, and double-check everything afterward to ensure it's mold-free. There may be damage to the drywall or cabinetry while removing the mold, but that's not a guarantee with every case. 'A reputable team will minimize unnecessary demolition,' he explains. 'It's crucial to choose a team that follows IICRC guidelines and offers post-remediation clearance testing.'
The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is a nonprofit organization that holds inspection, cleaning, and restoration companies to certain standards, credentials, and certifications. Piotraut advises homeowners with mold issues to only hire companies that have IICRC or National Organization of Remediators and Microbial Inspectors (NORMI) certifications.
It's also important to look for mold-removal companies that are insured and properly licensed, which they should have listed on their sites, along with positive reviews and testimonials. Piotraut adds, 'Avoid companies that offer 'quick fixes,' such as fogging or using bleach, as these may only mask the problem rather than resolve it.'
How to Prevent Mold in the Home
If your home is mold-free, you'll want to keep it that way by adopting a few smart habits. In bathrooms, keep the exhaust fans on during and after a shower. If you don't have one in your bathroom or can't install one, bring in a standing fan or crack open a window to let the humid air out. You should also clean and seal your grout regularly, and make sure to dry the shower door tracks if you have a sliding one.
Keep the exhaust fan on in your kitchen too while you cook, and don't put carpet in the basement or bathroom. Fix any leaks immediately and consider buying a dehumidifier or two if your place just maintains moisture.
Piotraut suggests keeping your furniture slightly pulled away from the wall to allow better airflow, and open your windows when the weather permits for better ventilation. While you may occasionally find a spot of pink mold in the shower, by following these steps, you're setting yourself—and your home—up for mold-free success.
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