Because of the dry climate in Arizona, it may be easy to think that mold in our homes shouldn’t really be a problem. The truth is, mold can grow anywhere under the right circumstances. Even some of the cleanest and best-kept homes throughout the Phoenix area have mold.
All it takes for mold to grow is moisture and a food source. Food sources might include wood, paper, certain fabrics, and dirt and dust. It can start with just a small amount of moisture, like a small leak in a roof, or lingering water from a recent flood. The problem is, once mold begins to grow, it will continue to spread until it is contained and treated.
Some people may believe that mold isn’t a problem until you can actually see it. Unfortunately, mold in areas of the home that you don’t see day-to-day could be spreading and causing issues such as respiratory problems.
At Best Choice Restoration, we’re often asked where to look for mold in homes. Here are some suggestions:
Air Conditioner
People are sometimes surprised to learn that mold can grow in an air conditioner. It would seem that the circulation of air would help eliminate any moisture that might cause mold. Air conditioners produce condensation of water. That condensation might cause mold trouble depending on how it’s handled.
The mold that might develop in an air conditioner creates twice the trouble. Not only will the mold need to be treated, but the air conditioner may be blowing mold spores throughout your house. It’s a good idea to either check the area around your air conditioner or have it inspected every so often for mold.
Guest Bedrooms
The lack of air circulation can plan a big part in the development of mold in your Arizona home. Guest bedrooms and other rooms in your home that are not used on a regular basis sometimes receive less circulation than other rooms. When these rooms get hot, they provide a great breeding ground of mold.
We would suggest that you try to keep good air circulation throughout all of the rooms in your home. Be sure to check closet spaces and behind doors every so often to see if mold is growing there.
Attics
There is a lot more going on up in our attics than we realize. Even very small amounts of water can collect in places we wouldn’t normally think of. When left untreated, this water or moisture can soon turn to mold.
Mold has a way of finding its way into boxes and storage chests in attics where you may keep valuable keepsakes. It’s a good idea to store these types of items in plastic bins that can be closed off with lids. You might consider moving collectibles and family photo albums in a cooler part of the house.
Empty Houses
As we make our way through this interesting time in the housing market, there are some instances when a home will be left empty for weeks or months at a time. We also have many winter visitors who leave their homes for several months at a time during the summer. When a house is left empty, unattended and with little air circulation, mold can grow.
It may be a good idea to either leave some sort of airflow on while you’re away, or have someone check in on your house from time to time.
No matter what the situation, when you have mold in your home, it’s best to address it right away. Call Best Choice Restoration and we’ll be happy to set up a time to come by and inspect the mold. In many cases, the mold itself is just a symptom of another problem. We’ll take a closer look and discuss the best solution with you.