Black mold is a big concern in Boulder homes these days, and if you have excessive moisture anywhere, it is a good place for molds to start. There are a few favorite places that black mold will hide and they aren’t always the most obvious. If a buyer finds them, it will indicate problems that they won’t want to take on. Besides being a health concern to your family, you need to find the root of these problems before buyers do.

Obviously, bathrooms are a favorite hiding place for molds, especially in bathtub and shower areas. Mold can form easily in a bathroom that is not well ventilated. Even ones that have fans might not be ventilated all the time, especially ones that have the fan on a separate switch. If you have small children, it is easier to prevent mold when the light and fan are programmed to come on together. An electrician or a handyman can change this easily.

While in the bathtub shower area, check caulking around the tub surround or at the seams where the shower and tub enclosures meet walls. Moisture can get in cracks where the caulking is bad and allow mold to grow easily. A good rule of thumb is that bathroom caulking should be refreshed annually. Not only does this make the caulking look new and clean, but it keeps air from getting to the mold and makes it more difficult to grow.

Basements are the next place to look for black mold. If you have a finished basement, it can be hiding behind drywall because of moisture coming through concrete cracks in the foundation. By the time mold is present on the front of the wall, you probably not only have a leak, but a poorly ventilated basement that will smell damp, too.

There is usually no cheap fix if it is cracks in the foundation but clogged guttering and downspouts that have fallen off can cause rainwater to become diverted to the foundation, causing it to seep through. Building up the dirt around the base of the foundation on the outside can help keep water sloped away and sometimes, this will fix the problem.

Once moisture has penetrated the drywall, you will have to replace it because it will not dry out without molding and disintegrating. A basement de-humidifier can help a basement that has poor ventilation, which is a leading cause of mold and mildew.

Another place to look is under the kitchen sink and bathroom vanity because leaky drains and faucets can cause situations where black mold can grow. Even attics can reveal black mold if your roof has a leak or there is caulking needs around rooftop ventilators and attic fans. Any place where moisture can seep in is an ideal place for black mold and poorly ventilated areas and moisture are the most ideal places.

Sometimes, bleach water can help you kill mold, but there are cleaning products that feature mold and mildew formulas that work quite well for clean-up. Other products to consider are swimming pool chemicals that contain algaecides, but you should wear ventilation equipment to keep from inhaling black mold when you find it. You might need an expert to help you with black mold needs, especially if you are sure you have a problem in your home.

• Previous Entry: Math is fun
• Next Entry: How can a CMA help when buying or selling a home?