Basement with visible mold growth on walls and hanging laundry, showing signs of moisture damage and poor ventilation

Is Mold Lurking in Your Home? Check These Five Places.

Sam Simon

July 11, 2025

Mold hides in more places than you think. Find out where to look, how to prevent it, and when to call ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons — Chicagoland’s trusted mold remediation experts.

Mold is one of the most underestimated threats to a home. It hides in places you rarely look, damages your property quietly, and can impact your family’s health before you even realize it’s there.

In Chicagoland, where summer humidity runs high and August ranks as the rainiest month of the year, homes are especially vulnerable to mold growth. At ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, we’ve spent over 40 years helping homeowners detect, remove, and prevent mold infestations.

Here’s what you need to know — and where to check — to stop mold before it becomes a costly disaster.

Five Surprising Places Mold Likes to Hide

1. Basements
Basements are ground zero for mold. Poor air circulation, damp walls, and humid air create the perfect breeding ground. Check:

Corners where walls meet floors
Around window frames and sills
Underneath carpet edges

2. Bathrooms
Bathrooms stay warm and wet after showers or baths, especially if ventilation is poor. Watch for mold:

On window frames or around exhaust fans
In shower corners and along grout lines
Behind toilets or under sinks

3. Attics
Heat rises — and with it, moisture. Without proper insulation and ventilation, attics trap humidity, encouraging mold to spread. Inspect:

Ceiling corners and rafters
Roof sheathing and insulation
Around attic vents or fans

4. Laundry Rooms
Laundry rooms mix heat, humidity, and organic debris — a recipe for mold. Check:

Dryer lint compartments and vent lines
Around washing machine hoses and connections
Inside washing machine doors if left closed when damp

5. Behind Walls
One of the most dangerous mold hotspots is the one you can’t see: inside wall cavities. Hidden leaks, condensation, or plumbing failures can cause mold to thrive unseen for months or years.

How to Prevent Mold Before It Starts

Improve ventilation and insulation throughout your home
Use a dehumidifier to keep humidity under 50%
Regularly inspect high-risk areas listed above
Address plumbing leaks and gutter drainage issues promptly

If you suspect hidden mold, don’t wait — professional help is often needed to uncover and safely remove it.

Why Choose ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons?

We are a family-run, MBE/WBE-certified company proudly serving Chicago, Oak Park, River Forest, the North Shore, and surrounding communities. As part of the nation’s oldest restoration brand — founded in Chicago in 1929 — we bring unmatched experience and professionalism to every job.

Our technicians are trained and certified by the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification), ensuring we follow the industry’s highest standards for mold remediation and safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I have hidden mold?
Look for musty odors, unexplained allergies, water stains, or warped walls. These can all signal hidden mold behind surfaces.

Can I clean mold myself?
Small patches (under 10 square feet) may be cleaned with caution, but larger infestations or hidden mold should always be handled by professionals.

What health risks does mold pose?
Mold exposure can trigger allergies, asthma attacks, skin irritation, and respiratory issues — especially in children, seniors, or immunocompromised individuals.

How do I get a mold inspection or quote?
Call us at 773-376-1110 or visit our website to schedule a professional assessment and quote.

Our Full Range of Services

Learn More in Our Book

For expert homeowner tips on preventing and managing water, mold, and disaster risks, check out our book:
RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset

Get Help Today

Mold problems don’t fix themselves — and they don’t stay small. Contact ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons at 773-376-1110 or visit servicemaster-restorationbysimons.com to schedule an inspection and protect your home.

Your safety and satisfaction are always our top priorities.

Sam Simon

Sam Simon is the Co-Owner and Managing Director of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, a certified MBE/WBE disaster restoration and specialty cleaning firm proudly serving Cook, Lake, and DuPage Counties in Illinois. With over 30 years of experience in restoration project management, field operations, and emergency response, Sam plays a vital leadership role in overseeing service execution, technician development, reconstruction, and subcontractor coordination.

He holds the IICRC’s highest technical designation as a Master Fire & Water Restorer, a distinction achieved by fewer than 1% of professionals in the restoration industry. His technical scope includes water and flood damage restoration, fire and smoke recovery, mold remediation, and post-disaster reconstruction across both residential and commercial sectors.

Sam has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to helping communities in crisis. He has participated in large-scale disaster recovery efforts across the U.S., providing boots-on-the-ground leadership during Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, and Harvey, as well as catastrophic floods, wildfires, and deep freeze events throughout Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas, and beyond. His dedication to serving distressed families and businesses in the wake of national catastrophes reflects both his personal values and ServiceMaster’s mission of restoring peace of mind.

In 2019, Sam was selected for the HACIA Contractor Training Program, a competitive six-month construction management cohort offered by the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association. The program delivers intensive instruction in blueprint reading, estimating, project management, and construction law—skills that support the company’s continued growth in emergency build-back and general contracting services.

Before co-founding ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, Sam built a successful creative career, contributing to notable film and television productions including Chicago Fire (2012), Juvies (2007), and Image Union (1978). His media and videography background continues to shape ServiceMaster’s marketing strategy, digital training resources, and brand storytelling.
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Sam is also the co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset—a practical guidebook for homeowners navigating the challenges of water, fire, and mold damage.

Under the direction of majority owner and President & CEO Nasutsa Mabwa, and with Sam’s operational leadership, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons has earned numerous regional and national accolades, including:

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