Causes of mold are so varied and some we never think of, until we see them. So, it would be no surprise that cracked caulking causes mold. But, what are some problems you might run into and how can you fix them?

Cracked Caulking Causes Mold By Trapping Moisture

It is understandable that any area that requires caulking would be able to trap moisture. After all, caulk is meant to seal out moisture, and a crack would only hold it in. Not only that, but it is a surface that is small enough that you can’t really see or deep clean. Most of us just run something across the caulking to clean it, if we even think to do that. Overlooking the seals is a detail that you can easily miss. You want to try to pay attention to them, here and there. Just check the moisture and temperature of the air around it, if you see a crack. You want to make sure you repair them as quickly as possible.

Cracked Caulking Causes Mold By Trapping Air

In many cases, the depth of the caulk is as deep if not deeper than the surface area. If there is a crack, you never know how much air is trapped behind it. It could be a small crack that doesn’t take in a lot of space. But, it could also be something that looks small on the outside and is hiding much more space behind it. Many people think that you can just shine a flashlight over it and take a look. But, even that can be deceptive. Keep an eye on it as often as possible and make sure that you keep some caulking around to repair cracks as soon as you see them.

Hidden Away Places

There are plenty of times that we even forget that caulking exists, let alone to clean or check it. And many of the places that use caulking are ones that are hidden away. They might not be areas you get to when you are cleaning or areas you think to take extra time for. This means that you are paying less attention to them and cracks are more likely to harbor mold. The less attention you pay to it, the more moisture and air it can gather before you even realize it exists. And that can be a problem in the long run. When you are cleaning, try to devote a little more time to these spots. Making sure they don’t become mold ridden should be a priority.

Hard to Clean Spots

Knowing that there is a crack in your mold doesn’t mean that you will be able to clean them out. Some spaces can be hard to reach. And other times you might not be cleaning the cracks as well as you think you are. Many times, we forget them all together. Cleaning the cracks in caulking is something that we should pay more attention to, but tend to forget. And it isn’t always easy, so It tends to get lost in the rush of things. If you need to use something with a longer handle, that can make those hard to reach places a little easier to clean. Every little bit counts and you want to make sure that once in a while you look for mold.

When You Find Mold

When you actually find cracks in your caulking, you want to make sure you repair it as soon as possible. If you can clean it first, to make sure there is no mold already in there (or moisture) that is best. In some cases, you can use a Q-tip or paper towel to clean it first. If you cannot reach deep in the crack, just sliding the paper towel, without folding it, tip first will help. By just pushing it in, you will be able to pull it out and see if it has absorbed any moisture on contact. It may also pull back some mold or debris hiding from you.

Mold in cracked caulking is a problem that you don’t want to have. Not only is the mold itself a problem, but when cracked caulking causes mold it can cause long-term damage to your caulking and cause the need for replacement. This can turn into a very expensive problem. There is also the fact that mold left alone for too long will not only grow, but it can also become dangerous. Many molds can cause problems for your body if they are left unattended and allowed to spore. There have been cases that have even been linked to death. This is something that you don’t want to expose your family too. If you have a mold problem, you should seek out a professional to help. You can start your search here.