Top 10 Places To Find Mold

Mold can be found in a home in a multitude of places. However, here are the top 10 places you can commonly find mold. You can learn how to find mold from this list detailed in order from our experiences. Mold in homes is one of the most common causes of chronic allergies, headaches and asthma symptoms.

1. Refrigerator drip pan - This is the most common place to find mold and should be cleaned at the beginning of the heating (fall) and cooling (spring) seasons.

2. A/C Coil condensate pan - The air conditioning coil box and the condensate pan directly under the coil should be cleaned at the beginning and again at the end of the cooling season (summer). Clean as accessible.

3. Bathtub and shower - This is another common place to find mold and should be cleaned monthly as needed. This type of mold is usually non-hazardous but should still be cleaned regularly just in case.

4. Refrigerator interior - Mold can hide behind shelving and items stored in the refrigerator. Check for mold every six months.

5. Under kitchen and bath sinks - Under sinks to include the walls and cabinetry is another common place to look for mold. Check every three months.

6. Mold on exterior house surfaces - Mold growing on brick and siding adjacent to the doors can enter the house when the central air system is running. Clean mold growth from any surface on the exterior surfaces of a house or apartment structure.

7. Crawlspace or basement - Areas under the house structure are other areas mold can be found since they are typically not heated or cooled. If mold is growing in these areas, it can enter through return air ductwork, piping holes and cracks.

8. Hidden walls - Walls that are hidden by furniture that is too close to the wall can harbor mold. This is especially true in houses or apartments which have high humidity above 60% for extended periods of time.

9. Hidden mold from water leaks - Many areas in a home can have hidden mold from water leaks such as leaking faucets, un-caulked cracks and drain pipes. It is even common to have hidden mold from a small roof leak. All areas of the house, attic and crawl spaces should be checked yearly with a high powered flashlight.

10. HVAC ductwork - Internally lined ducting and plenums can harbor mold. However, it is usually hard to see and will require an HVAC contractor to check. Instruct your contractor to check all internally lined ductwork for signs of mold growth if you suspect you have a problem.

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