| One of the most common problems that | | | | still grow here because it is dark and humid inside |
| households have is mold. It usually appears | | | | the unit. If you do find any growth here, consider |
| anywhere that is dark and humid. This can be a | | | | hiring a cleaning professional to handle the mold |
| potential health risk because it can cause sinus | | | | removal for this particular appliance. |
| infections, migraines and asthma attacks. | | | | 4. If you have a laundry area in your house, |
| If you see mold in your home, don't automatically | | | | check for any growth. Laundry areas are |
| assume that it is not a big deal. Although many | | | | generally humid parts of the house, and mold may |
| types of this growth are harmless and are just | | | | grow here. Take a look behind the washing |
| eyesores, some can actually be toxic and turn to | | | | machine. If any of the hoses are leaking, then it's |
| be a major health concern. It is important to | | | | possible that mold might be growing somewhere |
| know how to look for it and how to properly | | | | in the area. Check all baseboards and corners of |
| handle mold removal. Conduct a household | | | | the walls. |
| inspection for any growth and protect yourself in | | | | 5. Basements and attics are favorite spots for |
| the process. | | | | mold to grow. Check items around the area for |
| Here are some tips on how to check for mold | | | | growth, including cardboard boxes. Since |
| inside your home: | | | | basements and attics are usually dark areas, use |
| 1. Check under your bathroom sinks and pipes for | | | | a flashlight to properly check all corners and walls |
| anything black or gray that might be growing. The | | | | of the room. |
| cupboard under the kitchen sink is also a favorite | | | | One popular method for mold removal is using a |
| spot for mold to grow. Also check your shower | | | | mold test kit. A household inspection with a test |
| area. Condensation caused from the heat of the | | | | kit will let you know if there is any toxic growth |
| shower might soak into the wall and encourage | | | | present. You do not need to hire professionals to |
| growth of mold. | | | | do it for you since Mold Testing Kits come with |
| 2. See if there are any signs of growth under | | | | instructions and are easy to do yourself. |
| your carpets. Also check the baseboards and | | | | If you think you might have mold growing on a |
| padding of the carpet for any signs of mold. Any | | | | surface somewhere in your home, then scrape |
| growth on the underside of the carpet will have a | | | | off a small portion of it with a tool such as a paint |
| black or gray spotty appearance. Humid air and | | | | scraper, then use your test kit. It is always best |
| spilled drinks on carpets cause it to collect | | | | to wear rubber gloves when handling mold as an |
| moisture, which make it an ideal spot for mold to | | | | extra precaution, since you do not yet know if it |
| grow. | | | | is toxic or not. Also wipe surfaces with a solution |
| 3. Conduct a household inspection on all the air | | | | made of water and bleach in order to prevent |
| conditioning systems in your house. Although you | | | | any further growth. |
| may clean your air conditioners regularly, mold can | | | | |