What Are The Signs And Causes Of Mold In The Kitchen?
Mold is one pesky thing to deal with and it can be really unpleasant to the eyes too, especially if it’s in the kitchen. You need consider mold removal because it’s a sign of water damage or a ventilation issue, and it can also pose a great risk to your health. So, here are some of the signs and causes of mold that you should look out for.
Signs Of Mold In The Kitchen
Before getting into the causes of mold in a place like your kitchen, you must know the telltale signs of mold. These are going to help you identify mold, even if it’s not visible and you can act on removal and remediation quickly
Sweet, Musky Smell
This one is kind of obvious and you don’t even need to have a strong nose for that. If you suddenly smell something very sweet and musty in your kitchen that wasn’t there before, then you want to inspect the place, because chances are that mold might be hiding somewhere, thriving out of sight and getting ready to leap on you when you least expect it. So, keep your nose alert, because that is the signature odor of mold infestation in any place.
Wet Patches
This is also something that can just appear out of nowhere. Your walls that are normally very clean and not patchy at all, can start to show signs of wet patches and alarmingly, they will also be wet to the touch. You don’t want to turn a blind eye to this sign.
This is a clear sign of some sort of leak and this means that mold is not far away. You definitely want to act fast and not think of it as just a regular problem, because it is not.
Sweaty Floors & Walls
If the walls and floors suddenly seem very wet to you and you can distinctly see droplets of water forming on the walls and floors, then that is not normal at all. This is known as sweating or condensation, and after this, the affected areas might start blistering and bubbling, and that is a clear sign that your kitchen is infested with mold.
You might even see mold spots here and there, but this is a preliminary stage and you want to ensure that you’re acting right now, instead of waiting it out, because it won’t be good.
Chipping Paint
Your paint is not just chipping because it’s old and you need to redo it. Sometimes, it can also be a sign of mold being nearby. If you have recently gotten your kitchen painted and it starts to chip out of the blue, and you also start seeing leaks and wet patches underneath the paint, then that is a clear sign of mold infestation.
Mold is within the walls and it is weakening the walls from the inside, hence the chipping paint. So, you want to call mold removal services immediately, because this is very concerning.
Black, Green Spots
The last and most obvious sign is the appearance of mold. Mold can appear as a greenish, fluffy deposit on the walls, and sometimes, it can also be black, brown, or white in color. It will look spongy or powdery and you definitely don’t want to touch it, because it spreads and infests like there’s no tomorrow.
So, whenever you see mold in all of its glory, then this is the time when you can’t wait any longer. You have to call in mold removal services and get rid of it for good before it spreads from the kitchen to other places, which is just not what you want.
Causes Of Mold In The Kitchen
Now that you know the different signs of mold in the kitchen, here are some of the very common causes of mold. Some of these issues might be persistent as of present in your kitchen, so it’s time to act and get rid of mold for good.
No Ventilation
This is probably one of the most common reasons why your kitchen or any place in the house, for that matter, can get infested with mold and it is the absence of ventilation.
Look, no one loves dirt and dust, and that is why you keep your windows closed, but one thing that happens when you close the windows is that the air gets blocked too and that is not good at all. So, where there is no ventilation, the trapped moisture in the air can lead to mold. Therefore, improve ventilation in your kitchen to prevent mold growth.
A Lot Of Moisture
Speaking of moisture, this, combined with no ventilation, is a recipe for a moldy disaster. Moisture can build up due to a lot of things. Sometimes, it can be out of your control like living in a high humidity environment. Sometimes, it can be due to not ventilating the space. Air circulation is key if you want mold to be non-existent.
So, these are some of the things that can lead to higher humidity levels and if it is enclosed in a space with no way for air to come in and out of, then it can ultimately lead to mold.
No Inspection
In order to prevent mold, you have to be vigilant and ensure that you are inspecting the kitchen from time to time. This is something that a lot of people can forget to do, but it is extremely important. Once you keep an eye on things, you will know how they are doing, if there are any hidden leaks or smells coming from somewhere and where the affected areas can be.
If you inspect the kitchen every now and then, you will be able to detect mold quickly and in the preliminary phases, which is usually very easy to get rid of. No inspection will lead to a lot of problems.
Moldy Foods
If you haven’t cleaned your pantry in forever, then you might be housing some very questionable and stale foods in it, and that can only mean one thing – mold. You want to make it a habit to clean out your pantry once every couple of months.
You want to ensure that you’re getting rid of any expired or moldy foods, because those can also be a catalyst for mold infestation in the kitchen and you don’t want that.
Plumbing Leaks
Mold can also occur due to leaks and plumbing issues that you have neglected for far too long. Plumbing leaks and drain problems are really common. Something can get clogged and the water can build up, it can puddle on the surface instead of draining, and a whole list of things can happen, and what will follow next is – you guessed it – mold.
So, you definitely want to keep the plumbing, pipes, and drains in the kitchen maintained and checked from time to time. It’ll save your kitchen from mold infestation.
Conclusion
Molds grows where it finds the perfect conditions, such as moisture, humidity, and poor ventilation, so look out for these signs of mold in your kitchen. If you suspect mold growth, call in a mold remediation Silver Spring team for mold cleanup and prevention.
