We don’t want to see it, we don’t want to touch it and we definitely don’t want to breathe it in. Mold plays a necessary and important role in our natural environment as a decomposer of organic waste, but once it enters our homes, our food or our air, mold can pose significant health risks and cause damage to homes.
Thankfully, combating mold can be easily done with some proactive steps you and your family can take around the house. Read on to learn more about how and where mold can form, and how to combat it in your home.
As a type of fungus, mold grows in any environment that has moisture, oxygen and some type of organic food source. Outdoors, this means mold breaks down fallen leaves, decaying plant life and other debris. Indoors, however, mold growth is most common in damp, warm and poorly ventilated environments. Moisture can accumulate almost anywhere, so while some mold-prone areas are obvious, others might surprise you:
Bathrooms. Frequent water use and high humidity are common here, as are food sources left behind from bathing.
Kitchens: Between the fruit bowl on your counter and the forgotten pack of hot dog buns in the pantry, mold has countless food sources in the kitchen. Steam from cooking and water lines that connect to appliances all contribute moisture that can foster visible and hidden mold growth.
Basements, Crawl Spaces and Attics: Often damp and poorly ventilated, the spaces below and above common living areas are ideal homes for mold. Insulation, wood framing, drywall and other building materials all serve as food sources in these often-overlooked spaces.
Windows and Walls: Does condensation form on the room-side of your window glass? This is a common indication of high indoor humidity, and can lead to mold growth on the walls and framing around your windows — or the windows themselves if they’re made of wood.
HVAC Systems: Without proper maintenance, the air filters in your furnace can harbor mold and spread it through your air ducts. This is especially concerning since air filters are intended to remove airborne contaminants in your home.
The moisture-oxygen-food source recipe for mold exists in every single home.
Visible mold often appears as black, green or white spots on surfaces around the house. You’ve most likely seen it on the caulking around your shower — a common spot for fast and frequent mold growth – but water stains and discoloration may also be indicators of mold.
There are also invisible indications to pay attention to. Musty or mildewy odors are telltale signs that mold activity has started (remember, an untended HVAC system could be spreading these odors through your vents). Health symptoms can also be an indicator. Coughing, sneezing and skin irritations are all common allergic or respiratory reactions to moldy environments.
Tackling moisture issues in your home is your best first step to keeping mold at bay. Home moisture management can come in many forms.Here’s a look at some of the best places to start:
Photo courtesy of Panasonic Eco Systems and Mike Holmes
If you’re feeling daunted by the prospect of keeping an eye on potential mold growth in every corner of your home, it’s time to let technology take over some of the heavy lifting. Brands like Panasonic have a variety of smart, high-efficiency products that can help optimize your home’s air quality and keep mold issues from cropping up.
From exhaust fans with occupancy and humidity sensors, to whole-house dehumidifiers and air purifiers, Panasonic’s line of ventilation products prioritizes your home’s indoor air quality so you can feel more comfortable about the air your family is breathing. Visit the Panasonic Green Living Blog to learn more and find out how to connect with a pro to help with your next project.