An estimated 70% of homes in the United States currently have mold growing in it. This may be a shocking statistic and nightmare for most of us. Whether or not you find that surprising, mold in your home is no joke. Mold can cause serious health issues, especially for those who already have health problems.

Today we are going to discuss all of the most common and likely places where mold is growing in your home. This way you keep an eye out for it, use preventative measures, and ensure it doesn't grow throughout your home, ruining it and your health! Let's get started.

What Causes Mold & Is it Dangerous to Your Health

Mold is a type of fungi that breaks down dead organic matter. In other words, mold is nature's way of recycling. Outdoors, mold plays an important role in the environment. It helps decompose leaves, wood, and other debris.

However, when mold starts growing indoors it can cause some serious problems. The first issue is that most people are allergic to mold spores. These spores are released into the air and if inhaled can cause difficulty breathing, sneezing, coughing, and watery eyes.

If you have asthma, allergies, or other respiratory issues, you're at an even higher risk of experiencing severe symptoms when exposed to mold spores.

Another problem with indoor mold growth is that it releases mycotoxins into the air. Mycotoxins are a poisonous substance released by mold that can cause neurological problems, liver damage, and in some cases, death.

So now that we know mold is dangerous and why it's dangerous, let's take a look at where it likes to grow in your home.

1) Mold Grows in Your Bathroom

The first and most common place you'll find mold growing in your home is the bathroom.  This is because the bathroom provides the perfect environment for mold to grow. It's warm, humid, and often times there's water present.

The most common place you'll find mold in your bathroom is in the shower or bathtub. This is because mold loves to grow on wet surfaces. If you don't have a good ventilation system in your bathroom, this can cause even more problems as the humidity will build-up, providing an even better environment for mold to grow.

Here are all of the places to check in the bathroom:

●     Shower and bathtub

●     Around the base of the sink and toilet

●     Where the wall meets the floor

To prevent mold from growing in your bathroom, make sure you're using a ventilation fan every time you shower or take a bath. You should also keep your bathroom clean and dry as much as possible. Wipe down all surfaces after they've been used and mop the floor on a regular basis.

2) Mold In the Kitchen

The second most common place you'll find mold growing in your home is in the kitchen. Just like the bathroom, the kitchen provides an ideal environment for mold to grow. It's warm and humid with plenty of water use present.

There are a few places in particular that you should check for mold in your kitchen:

●     Underneath and behind the sink

●     Refrigerator drip pans and behind it

●     Rubber gaskets around doors

To prevent mold from growing in your kitchen, make sure you're using a ventilation fan while cooking. You should also keep your kitchen clean and dry by wiping down all surfaces after they've been used and mopping. Lastly, make sure that your fridge and under the sink don't have leaks.

3) Mold in the Bedroom & Living Room

The last two places you'll commonly find mold growing in your home are the bedroom and living room. These rooms don't have as much moisture present as other rooms in the house, but they can still provide an environment for mold to grow.

Here are a few places to check for mold in these rooms:

●     Behind furniture

●     In closets

●     Underneath carpeting

To prevent mold from growing in these rooms, make sure they're well ventilated and that you're using a dehumidifier if needed. You should also keep them clean and dry by vacuuming regularly and wiping down all surfaces.

Mold in Your HVAC Systems

In addition to these, your air conditioning unit can often cause mold to grow. AC units are often placed in the bedroom or living room if they are single-room units. If you have central air, your HVAC system still grows mold if not maintained properly, however that can be even more complicated since it can spread through the ductwork.

Mold in your AC units should be taken care of as soon as possible. Since the air is constantly blowing, it can quickly and effectively spread the mold and mold spore throughout your whole home before you even realize it!

There are a few things that can cause mold in an HVAC system, these include:

●     Dirty air filters

●     Leaky system and/or ductwork

●     Excess moisture

●     Improper care or no maintenance

If you think you may have mold in your HVAC system, it's best to call a professional to come and take a look. Trying to clean it yourself can be a difficult and lengthy process, especially if it's in your ductwork.

The best way to prevent mold from growing in your HVAC system is through a monthly HVAC maintenance plan. An HVAC professional will come out and provide the proper care and maintenance to ensure mold doesn't get the chance to grow!

Preventing Mold Growth in Your Home

The best way to prevent mold from growing in your home is to keep it clean and dry. This means wiping down all surfaces after they've been used, mopping regularly, and using a ventilation fan whenever possible. You should also check for leaks often and fix them as soon as possible.

If you live in an area that's particularly humid, you may want to consider using a dehumidifier. This will help to keep the air in your home dry and less favorable for mold growth.

You can also prevent mold by maintaining your HVAC system. This means changing your air filters regularly, having them serviced at least once a year (preferably on a monthly basis), and cleaning any visible mold growth immediately.

While mold is present in millions of homes across the United States, there are ways to prevent it from growing in yours! By following these tips, you can keep your home clean, dry, and mold-free.

Thomas HVAC Company is your local & trusted residential & commercial HVAC contractor in Alabama and Tennessee. We’ve been providing our services to locals for over 15 years. If you're looking for HVAC repairs or installation, our highly trained and friendly HVAC specialists are here to help.