This Overlooked Bathroom Spot Could Be Hiding Mold

This Overlooked Bathroom Spot Could Be Hiding Mold—Here’s Why It Matters

Michael Rubino

Not only does mold look gross, but having a mold issue in your home can potentially make you sick and cause long-term health problems.

The idea of mold growing around your home is a disturbing thought. Not only does mold look gross, but having a mold issue in your home can potentially make you sick and cause long-term health problems. That's why it's important to identify and tackle any mold growth in your home right away. While you might not like the idea of going around your house searching for mold growth, if you suspect your home has an issue (especially if your space has poor ventilation and high humidity levels), then it's better to get to the bottom of things as soon as possible. Mold and air quality expert Michael Rubino told us where to look for mold growth in your home—including one spot you'd probably never think to check.

The Unexpected Place to Check for Mold

When you think of checking for mold in your home, the bathroom is probably the first room you'd check. But would you think to look inside the toilet tank? Rubino says you should. Since there's minimal air exchange between the inside and outside of the toilet tank, meaning there's less opportunity for mold to find it's way in, he says mold growth in the tank likely means there's a bigger issue at hand. "A stray mold spore could find its way in, but if you spot mold growth inside the tank, it’s more likely that high levels of spores are circulating in your home’s air due to an existing mold problem," he says.

If you do find mold growing inside your toilet tank, it's a good idea to check other areas around your home and consider calling in a professional to advise you on further steps to take to improve the conditions in your home.