How can I check for mold in my home?
Mold is everywhere, and you just can't get rid of it. However, if it wasn't for mold and fungi, nothing would ever decay, and we would all be so buried in debris that nothing would be able to grow on the earth. Nevertheless, no one wants mold in their home. Mold can lead to health problems such as irritated lungs and nasal passages, as well as more dangerous health hazards. So how can you be sure that there is not mold in your home?
If you have ever had water damage your home, here are some ways to check for mold. Lift up the edges of carpets. If there are water stains on the carpet tack strips or the carpet tacks are rusty, the area has been damaged by water at some point. Mold is capable of growing on the under-side of the carpet itself, as well as on either side of the carpet padding, which is located underneath the carpet. There can even be mold between the carpet padding and the subflooring, or even on the under side of the subflooring.
Another place to look for mold is underneath wallpaper beneath windows where water has leaked down, or under wallpaper in the bathroom. Mold can grow on the wallpaper backing, and even on wallpaper glue if the areas got wet.
Check for mold on the underside of drawers that might have gotten damp (for instance, bathroom drawers). Even furniture can get moldy. Often, the underside of a piece of furniture will have an un-painted or un-varnished wood surface, which is another spot that mold can grow. Pool tables are often made of un-finished wood surfaces such as chipboard on their undersides and can harbor mold as well. You should also check underneath and behind bathroom cabinets. Pretty much anywhere there is moisture, you can also find mold.
Finally, any leaking pipe is a haven for mold. If there is a stain on the outside of your drywall, it is more than likely a result of a leaky pipe. If there is such a stain in your home, you should call a repairman, experienced mold removal technician to investigate the possibility of mold in your drywall. Or, you can check for the mold yourself by cutting a small hole in the wall with a drywall knife to look for mold. By doing this you can visually check for mold, and also check if the insulation is damp, indicating a leak.
