The holiday seasons are approaching, and for many of us, this means dragging the skeletons from the attic, grabbing the turkey placemats from storage, and toting the Christmas tree from the garage. With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, we may get too consumed in the festivities to even worry about potential mold risks. When we think of mold, we usually picture wet bathrooms or dark, damp basements, but we often forget about mold growth within our prized storage spots. In this article, we’ll cover all of your unforeseen questions and give you expert-approved tips on proper storing techniques.
What Makes Storage Spots High-Risk for Mold-Growth?
Think about your favorite hidden storage locations for decorations or heavier winter clothing. You probably store these in the attic, garage, or basement. While these places are great for keeping your less frequently used items out of the way, these are typically areas that get the least foot traffic in the house. When a space gets less visibility, it can be easier to overlook potential mold threats. You may have a leaky pipe, a stuffy, humid garage, or maybe a hole in the attic. All of these things attract mold, and once it enters a space, it can rapidly and thoroughly spread to your belongings.
Most storage areas are less ventilated, less conditioned, and have massive temperature swings. This can cause warm or moist air to build up, posing a severe risk of condensation and causes mold to multiply and thrive. Additionally, many storage vessels tend to be porous, such as cardboard, wreaths, and soft fabrics. Materials such as these have the ability to absorb mold spores, and can create a hotspot that infests the whole area. This is especially problematic when infested items get introduced into the main areas of the home.
Because storage areas get less attention, a mold problem can fester for months before anything is detected. By that point, you have a massive problem that can only be remediated with professional help.
Is Mold Growing in My Home?
Oftentimes with problems like this, we tend to think to ourselves that we store our belongings well enough that we are immune to mold. But mold growth doesn’t require obvious wet boxes. If you’re confident in your own storage methods, make sure to first take a moment to picture these common scenarios:
- You have a bin in the attic full of holiday ornaments – your great grandma’s porcelain pieces, handcrafted first-day of school ornaments, and maybe some plush ones as well. You may have a small, unnoticeable crack in the bin. The wall the bin rests against is damp from the condensation caused by the attic’s unregulated temperatures. Spores enter through the crack in the storage bin, quickly overtaking the entire box. When the holidays come, you open the box, notice a musty smell, but hang the ornaments anyway. Congratulations – you’ve just introduced mold spores into your living room!
- Mold growth can go undetected for months before it becomes detected from main living areas in the house. You may notice a musty smell throughout the home. Your first instincts may not be to check the dark corners in the attic or the tall stack of boxes. As your search continues, the smell spreads. Quickly, you’ll have spores filling the air in the home and putting everyone’s health at risk.
Without careful consideration of all factors, you may end up with a problem that you can’t fix alone, which can get costly, frustrating, and even pose serious health risks. The risks of mold can be detrimental to home, health, and wellbeing, so when it comes to storage, there really is no “being too safe.”
What Should I Be Doing to Mediate and Prevent Potential Mold?
- Inspect your storage spaces at least twice a year. Not just once during the holiday months. You might find it beneficial to inspect in the late Spring or early Summer, since that’s probably the time your storage spaces get the least attention.
- Store everything appropriately. Use sealed plastic tubs, keep items off of the floor so air can ventilate underneath and around each box, and buy an effective dehumidifier. Humidity in any storage space should never exceed 55%. Though it may be an investment at first, it will save your wallet from further costs in the future.
- Inspect reused items. Never reintroduce uninspected items into your living space. Yes, this means each box, each decoration, and each winter coat.
Mold in storage spaces and especially on seasonal items is a commonly overlooked issue that can lead to unexpected health concerns, property damage, and expensive remediation. This is especially prevalent in Charleston, where homes often lack effective climate control – attic insulation may be compromised by older construction and many homes are elevated and have less ventilated storage under the house. Just because something gets tucked away in a storage bin or closet doesn’t mean it’s safe from moisture or mold growth. Regular inspections, proper storage techniques, and moisture and humidity control are essential to keeping your belongings mold-free. Staying proactive on the issue will significantly reduce the risk of mold infesting the least expected places.
Get a Professionalin Mold Inspection in Charleston, SC with High Tide Environmental
If you suspect a mold problem in your home or are curious if mold may be present, High Tide Environmental is here to help. Contact us today for expert mold testing services that will keep your family and house healthy.