Skip to main content

How To Prevent Mold In Closet

By February 7, 2022Mold
mold in a closet

Imagine getting up one morning and feeling a little off. You make it to your closet as you prepare to get ready for your workday. As you shuffle through your clothes to select what outfit to wear you begin to smell a musty scent. Not only does the closet smell off, but you begin to notice some changes in your health. Shortness of breath and runny nose begin to slow you down. This is a clear indication that you may have mold growing in your closet. How to prevent mold in closet? Keep your closet dry and free from plastics. You can also use wire shelving instead of wood.

Let’s take a look below at all of the ways to prevent mold in your closet.

What Is Mold

Mold is a fungal growth that shows up in damp and dark places. The mold spores can travel throughout your air systems or even inside your walls. Also, molds are identified by colors and the majority of molds are harmless. However, if you notice black, green, or yellow mold in your closet or home, you should immediately call a mold removal company to get an estimate on the mold removal.

Moisture in the bathroom can cause mold.

Where Does It Come From

Even the cleanest home can harbor mold. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mold typically enters your home the same way you do – through the door. Also, mold spores are easily tracked in on your clothes and shoes. Mold can also get in through windows or the air conditioning/heating system.

Once mold spores infiltrate your home, they can quickly grow in humid places. That’s why you see most mold and mildew in the bathroom. Being that closets are typically small, dark spaces, they make excellent breeding grounds for mold. Additionally, cardboard, wood, fabric, carpet, and drywall all provide the needed nutrients for mold to flourish – and all are commonly found inside your closets.

A water leak in the plumbing in the walls can cause mold to form.

What Causes It

Understanding what could cause mold in your closet is the first step to preventing it. Typically, there are three main ways for mold to grow in a closet.

  • Leaks in your plumbing: pipes in your walls can leak for various reasons.
  • Excess moisture: when closet doors are closed, moisture in the form of humidity can get trapped. With minimal air circulating, this humidity can create a breeding ground for mold.
  • Attic issues: if your roof is leaking and you aren’t aware of it, the rain that gets into the attic space above your closet can begin a mold explosion. The mold spores can then migrate to your closet walls.

How Do I Prevent It

Believe it or not, there are a few ways that you can ensure that mold stays out of your closet space. Let’s take a look at the most recommended ways to prevent mold in a closet.

  • Keep your clothes dry
  • Clean the closet shelves
  • Keep control of your humidity
  • Utilize your humidifier
  • Wire shelving over wood shelves
  • Check for leaks
  • Limit the amount of plastic from dry cleaning
  • Musty smells can tell you a lot
  • Silica parks are a great idea
  • Use elevated doors

How Much Does It Cost

The national average for mold removal ranges from $1,375 to $3,325. Most companies will charge you per square foot. That cost typically ranges from $13 to $29. Small projects that might involve just a small portion of your closet space could cost you around $450, while larger projects can cost over $6,000. Be prepared to spend around $2,350 on mold removal from your closet.

Other Recommended Maintenance

One area of recommended maintenance is the HVAC unit. You want to be careful about high humidity in the home if the unit isn’t working properly as this will cause mold to grow. This will be a time for you to find out if it is time to replace or repair the unit.

Mold on concrete needs to be fixed.

Take a look at the concrete in your yard. It may be your driveway, the walkway, or another area you have installed. If you see mold growing on it, you need to find out what is causing it. Mold on concrete is not a good thing and fixing the issue is important.

Lastly, if you are looking to sell your home or buy a home with mold, you will want to contact a mold company to check it out. It will be important to find out what is causing the mold to see if it can be fixed.

When Do I Call A Professional

If you are starting to detect a musty or moldy smell in your closet, you should contact your local home inspection team. Atkinson inspection services can inspect the mold to determine the extent of the damage and refer you to the most reputable mold removal companies in the area.

Faulty HVAC units can lead to mold growth due to excess moisture in the home. Call on a professionally licensed HVAC company to inspect and clean the ductwork, filters, and vents is a great idea.

Conclusion

The biggest concern that you will have regarding mold is the area of coverage. Make sure that the mold has been isolated right away. This can prevent the mold from spreading to a bigger area in the closet. Also, mold can go undetected for a long time, so calling on a home inspection team is your best bet here.

Not only can your local home inspection team determine the extent of the mold damage they can also recommend the best mold removal company. Reach out to Atkinson Inspection Services for a mold inspection and home inspection in Orlando, Clermont, and the Villages.