Mold can grow anywhere the conditions are right. Our homes are sealed tightly and provide the perfect temperatures and all other ideal conditions for mold, so it’s vital that we do everything we can to prevent mold growth.
Flooding, leaks and excess humidity are major causes of mold growth throughout the home. You’d probably expect to see mold in the shower or in the sink drain, but there are surprising locations that mold thrives in throughout your home.
One such area is your flooring.
Mold can settle into crevices in your flooring, or it can even find its way into the subflooring. This degree of mold infestation can cause thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to your home and require lengthy repair times.
So let’s discuss the particular issue of flooring that helps prevent mold in your home.
The Best Flooring to Prevent Mold Growth
Mold resistant flooring is non-porous and durable. Below are the two best options for preventing mold. We have included several other benefits of these flooring options.
Ceramic Tile
- Versatile, so it can be installed anywhere
- Unlimited design options
- Resistant to water damage
- Easy to clean
- Can be sealed for added protection
- A more expensive option, but get what you pay for in terms of appearance and durability
Vinyl Tile
- Made of durable PVC
- Inexpensive
- Also versatile
- Easy to install, even for beginners
- Lasts 5 years or longer, perfect for quick fixes
Both of these tile options work because they resist moisture. They can be sealed to further protect against mold, and thanks to the wide range of styles, patterns and colors of each, they will work in any room in the house.
…and the Worst Flooring for Mold Prevention
While ceramic and vinyl are the best choices for flooring in mold-prone areas, wood and carpet are the worst.
Here’s why…
Wood
Wood is porous, which provides unlimited hiding places for moisture and mold. Not only will mold consume the wood itself, but it will also feast on the particles that get trapped between the boards. This isn’t usually a problem with new wood floors but can worsen over time as the sealant on your floors wears off.
Carpet
Carpet absorbs moisture faster than any other flooring type, and it’s extremely hard to dry without professional equipment. Mold feeds on dirt particles in the carpet and cotton carpet fibers. It can also make its way underneath the carpet to the carpet backing and subflooring, where it can lead to major structural damages.
Where Flooring Matters Most
Certain areas of your home are more susceptible to mold growth. You’re probably aware that moisture is the main cause of mold in a home. It stands to reason, then, that in the areas of your home that have the highest humidity (or the greatest risk of flooding), mold-resistant flooring is a must.
Of course there are some areas that you wouldn’t dream of installing wood flooring or carpet. But home trends can be very alluring sometimes. Or you may be living in an older home where questionable design choices were made previous to you living there.
In any case, never, EVER, consider putting wood or carpet floors in the rooms below. For these rooms, ceramic and vinyl tile are much better options.
Basement
Basements are known for being humid and hard to ventilate. They are also prone to flooding. No matter how good you think it will look, resist the urge to put porous flooring in the basement.
Bathroom
Humidity from the sink, tub, shower (and even the toilet) make the bathroom the most common place in most homes for mold growth. By choosing water-resistant flooring, you
Kitchen
The kitchen is another room in the house that generates a lot of moisture. Steam from cooking and water from your appliances is enough to give mold a strong foothold. Not to mention the ample food supply. Consider adding non-porous flooring in your kitchen and as a backsplash to prevent mold on the walls as well.
Only mold-resistant flooring should be used in these areas due to the high moisture content within them. Humidity and spills almost always lead to mold growth, so every surface in your basement, kitchen and bathrooms should be chosen in an effort to resist moisture, thereby combatting mold in its favorite locations.
Your Floor. Your Choice.
When it comes down to personal home design, you have ultimate control.
Don’t take this as a sign that you shouldn’t install these types of floors. If you have your heart set on carpet or wood flooring, by all means, do it!
Just be mindful of the elevated risk of mold in certain areas of your home.
There are many things you can do to prevent mold in every room, regardless of the type of floors you choose.
For example, run a dehumidifier in areas that are prone to higher humidity. Also, we suggest scheduling a mold inspection from Pure Maintenance of Central Illinois to catch mold problems before they cause too much damage. Finally, care for your floors according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. We offer mold services in Champaign IL and surrounding areas, including in-home mold inspections.
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