The presence of mold in the home poses a significant threat to the health of all inhabitants. Babies, toddlers, and the elderly are especially susceptible to the negative effects of molds due to their sensitive immune system. Long-term exposure was shown to cause allergies, asthma, and in some cases very serious lung diseases. For this reason, it is important to check your home for molds from time to time. These persistent creatures can be very stealthy, so you have to know where to look and which rooms require special attention.
Bathrooms
Mould thrives in humid areas, so it is no big surprise that it’s often found in bathrooms. Vacant spots between the tiles, nooks, and crannies around the sink, toilet cistern, and bathtub/shower present perfect places for mold growth, as they provide shelter from sunlight and a constant source of water. It is very hard to completely prevent mold growth in the bathroom, but good habits can do wonders. Keeping your bathroom ventilated at all times and cleaning it thoroughly every week can keep mold at bay for years.
Attics
Considering that warmer air moves upwards, attics tend to be the warmest part of the house throughout the year. Attics are usually dusty, as they are cleaned less often than the rest of the house, and more often than not have really bad air circulation. If there is also a crack in the roof or any potential leak, molds will have perfect conditions for vigorous growth. The best solution to stop this is to inspect your attic regularly in order to catch any minor problems that could lead to greater damage, especially after heavy rainfall, gusts of wind, or other harsh weather conditions.
Window sills
Window sills are probably the most common place for mold growth in homes, as they are exposed to outside moisture, dust, and stark temperature differences during winter and summer. Due to condensation, moisture tends to build up during these parts of the year, providing favourable conditions for mold development. The best way to prevent mold growth on window sills is to keep the windows open as often as possible or to wipe away excess moisture with a dry cloth during winter and hot summer days when they are closed most of the time.
AC and HVAC
Chances are good that your air conditioner may be full of dirt, pollen, and mold spores, as it sucks in the outside air which contains all these pollutants. Condensation that occurs due to temperature differences only exacerbates the problem by providing a source of moisture for mold development. An easy way to prevent the accumulation of these pollutants is to let your AC run every day for at least ten minutes. If you didn’t use your AC for a while or you suspect that it contains mold, hire a professional to inspect it and remove any potentially harmful materials.
The presence of mold in the HVAC system is a very serious issue that requires special equipment and expert knowledge to be successfully resolved and remove mold. If you are looking for an experienced, friendly, and honest mold inspection company in Toronto or the GTA, call Inch by Inch today to schedule your inspection. Inch by Inch’s experienced inspectors will make sure your home is healthy and mold-free.