and wipe out.
Finding mold is the first step to getting rid of it. But, there are less obvious places where mold can fester. In our Mold Matters series, we will take a look at the dangers of mold and the unconventional places you may find it growing in your home.
Mold can be more than an eyesore, it can be a health hazard to you and your family. If you have black mold in your home, it can be toxic and have fatal consequences. In the first installment of our Mold Matters series, we take a look at the dangers lurking in your kitchen.
Check Your Refrigerator
Your refrigerator is a breeding ground for mold – and not just the green fuzz on your food. Your door seals, refrigerator pans and water dispenser are prime locations for mold to grow.
Drip pans: It’s a rarely noticed place under your fridge that collects moisture and food spills, a perfect environment for mold to grow.
Door seals: When you close the door to your refrigerator and allow the temperature inside to rise, it becomes a mold-producing machine. The moisture and lack of ventilation in a refrigerator provide ideal conditions for mold growth.
Water dispensers: Because yeast and mold can build up on the dispenser spout, drinking water from refrigerator water dispensers may cause problems for people with an allergy sensitivity. Clean dispenser spouts with a pipe cleaner or small brush alternately dipped in warm water, vinegar and hydrogen peroxide (in that order). And remember to replace external water filters annually or as recommended by the manufacturer.
Inspect Your Sink
There is so much water (and food and other items) that passes in and around your kitchen sink that it’s no wonder it’s a haven for mold.
Faucet: When you fill up a glass of water from your kitchen faucet, you expect it to be crystal clear and free of smells and tastes. Seeing small chunks or strings of a black substance is an unexpected and unpleasant surprise. These are strings of mold, which can start growing in your faucet. Mold needs a regular supply of water to grow, and eliminating the drips helps to get rid of the mold. You may need to caulk around the faucet’s base. If there is a leak from the fixture, it may need tightening. A persistent drip may mean that the faucet has rusted and needs to be replaced.
Garbage Disposal: All sorts of mold can grow on rotting food in the garbage disposal if you don’t keep it clean. Make sure to run it at least once a day. Pour straight vinegar down into it at least once a week or so (about 3-4 cups).
Pipes: Mold growth underneath kitchen (and bathroom and laundry) sinks can be caused by a number of factors. Inadequate ventilation, improper air flow, high levels of humidity, and plumbing leaks are all common culprits. While some levels of humidity are pretty much a given in your home, plugging up those plumbing leaks before they do any more damage can save you money on your water bill and keep mold in check.
As you can see, food isn’t the only thing that can grow mold in your kitchen. There are so many cracks, creaks and crevices that mold can hide. In our next installment of Mold Matters, we’ll venture out of the proverbial frying pan and into the fire by looking at the potential of mold growth in and around your chimney!
If you are concerned there is mold growth in your kitchen, contact the experts at Sage Restoration. Not only will we remove the mold and odor, we’ll provide you service with compassion!
