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Call MAS Labs today for a free consultation or to schedule a comprehensive mold inspection. 1.800.470.4844
ATTICS
- Leaky roofs: The average roof begins to deteriorate after 12-16 years. By
the time roof leaks are noticed and repaired, mold has had ample time to colonize.
- Exhaust fans: Exhaust fans from bathrooms that vent directly into the attic,
instead of outside, are very problematic. The attic air mass is typically very hot
in the summer. Add the moisture from a bathroom vent, and it is a perfect place
for mold to grow.
- Wet insulation: Whether caused by a leaky roof or a misdirected exhaust fan,
wet insulation holds its moisture, supporting mold growth in organic building
materials and attic debris.
- Poor Ventilation: Warm, moist air from the home rises into the attic in the winter
months. The cool attic air cannot hold the moisture entering it, and the moisture will condense
on the plywood sheathing if it is not rapidly ventilated.
BASEMENTS
- Water infiltration: Water follows the path of least resistance. Usually, the first
place your basement leaks is at the joint where the floor meets the walls (also
known as the cove). Block, concrete, and stone walls will all support mold growth
if moisture is present. Mold growth will also appear on floors where high humidity or
standing water is present.
- Humidity & Condensation: Mold will appear on ceiling joists in humid or wet
basements, and where plumbing pipes pass through joists in otherwise
dry basements. Condensation that builds up on the actual piping can saturate
wood and can cause mold growth.
In humid basements, wood will absorb moisture out of the air and mold will grow.
- Insulation: Mold does not actually eat the non-organic insulation, but rather
the debris that lands or is caught in it. Insulation acts as a sponge when it is wet.
It is very difficult to dry out, making it an excellent incubator for mold.
- Dryer vents: Improperly vented dryer vents are excellent starting points for
mold infestations. The warm, moist air will condense on almost anything,
making that substrate suitable for mold growth.
- Cardboard boxes: Cardboard is highly porous and will hold moisture for
prolonged periods. Cardboard also “wicks” water, meaning water travels from
the cement floor through the cardboard to the contents inside. Leather, golf
bags, fabrics, and furniture also support mold growth in humid areas such
as basements, attics, and crawl spaces.
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BATHROOMS
- Showers and tubs: Leaks in showers and tubs often go unnoticed until it is
too late. Leaks in second story bathrooms may become recognizable in ceiling
drywall tape joints and discolorations of the floors below. Grout can deteriorate,
creating leaks and seepage into wall cavities and floors.
- Toilets: In summer months, toilet tanks “sweat,” and moisture is transferred to
the drywall directly under the toilet tank, contributing to mold growth.
- Insufficient ventilation: If bathrooms are not properly ventilated, moisture will
condense on the walls and ceiling every time someone takes a shower or bath.
Exhaust fans can prevent this, but many are improperly discharged into the attic
instead of outside, moving the moisture problem to that space.
- Pooling water outside the tub can leak through poorly sealed floors and into
ceiling cavities and sub floor areas below, soaking building materials and causing
mold growth.
CRAWL SPACES
- Crawl spaces: Dirt floors allow moisture in the ground to readily evaporate and
collect on the joists above. Typically, crawl spaces have poor ventilation, which
allows for spores to settle and water
to condensate easily. Because crawl spaces
are not frequented, the problem often goes unnoticed until it is too late. An HVAC
system or air mover in a moldy crawl space can spread the affected air to other
locations in the house.
KITCHENS
- Sinks: Water that splashes behind the sink and worn seals
around the basin lead
to moisture behind and under the sink,
causing mold to grow.
- Dishwashers may leak or have faulty water lines that contribute
to mold growth
around or under the appliance.
- Refrigerators: If a refrigerator is too close to the wall, the
cooling coils may not
be ventilated properly which will cause condensation. Copper water lines for
automatic icemakers can
kink or crack, allowing moisture to infiltrate the area
below and surrounding the unit.
LIVING AREAS (dining room, living room, bedrooms, dens, etc..)
- Drywall: Made of paper and gypsum, drywall is an excellent source
of food for mold, and is very difficult to dry out when it gets wet. If you see mold
growing on the outside of drywall, it is likely that there is even more mold on the hidden back of that drywall. Drywall will also wick water from the floor if
flooding has occurred.
- Carpets: Floods, pet accidents, and leaky air conditioners can all help moisten
your carpet. Even if the carpet is dried immediately,
the padding beneath it stays
damp and allows mold to grow. Hardwood floors dry fairly quickly as well, but often
trap moisture underneath that cannot be readily noticed.
- Radiators: Hairline cracks in piping and poor bleeding valves can release moisture
that will cause mold growth.
- Ceilings: Deteriorating ceilings can be a sign of a water intrusion above. A leaky
pipe, poor shower drain, or even a leaky roof may become apparent when tape
joints not previously visible become noticeable.
Call MAS Labs today for a free consultation or to schedule a comprehensive mold inspection. 1.800.470.4844
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