Get Rid Of Mold In An Unoccupied Boca Raton Home

Are you concerned about mold in an unoccupied home? A closed house in Boca Raton increases the possibility for mildew growth, but what are molds and what makes them grow? According to the Florida Department of Health, molds are a type of fungi found everywhere in indoor and outdoor air and need moisture to grow. Indoors, mold growth is high in basements and showers due to high humidity levels. 

They further state that controlling moisture is the key to stopping indoor mold growth. Sources of moisture include:

• Poor venting of bathroom and kitchen moisture
• Outdoor sprinkler spray hitting walls
• Indoor plumbing leaks or broken water pipes
• Overwatering of plants
• Moisture from human bodies
• Condensation due to high indoor humidity. 

Now that we know where mold comes from, how can we get rid of mold in an unoccupied home?

The Signs of Mold in Your Boca Raton Home

Mold isn’t always loud about its presence. It doesn’t come knocking with flashing lights or dramatic warnings—it creeps in slowly, quietly, and usually when you’re not around to notice. That’s why absentee homeowners are often the last to know their home has a problem. So, how do you spot it before things get out of hand?

Start with your nose. A musty, damp, or earthy odor is one of the first giveaways, especially when the house has been sealed for a while. Mold has a signature scent—it’s the smell of trapped moisture, forgotten leaks, and closed windows in the Florida heat.

Visually, look for discoloration. Mold doesn’t stick to a single shade. It might show up as black spots on the bathroom ceiling, green fuzz in the corners of a closet, or even orange film on tile grout. It can hide under sinks, behind walls, or in the creases of air vents.

Other red flags? Peeling paint, warped wood, or condensation on windows and walls. All signs your home is holding onto too much moisture—an open invitation for spores to move in and make themselves at home.

Where Does Mold Come From

Let’s get one thing straight: mold isn’t some foreign invader from another planet. It’s already here. It’s part of the environment, and it’s always floating around in the air, inside and out. The issue starts when it finds the right place to settle down.

So , where does mold come from in your home? Moisture. That’s it. That’s the whole story. Mold needs water to grow, and once it finds it, things go south fast. In Boca Raton, moisture doesn’t exactly need an invitation. Between the humidity, afternoon rain, and the closed-up nature of unoccupied homes, conditions are perfect. Small leaks under the sink, a forgotten air conditioning drain line, or even steam from a shower left unvented—these are prime breeding grounds.

Mold feeds on organic materials like drywall, wood, insulation, and even dust. That means the drywall in your guest bathroom or the wallpaper in the back bedroom is fair game once moisture shows up. It doesn’t take much. A relative humidity above 60% is usually enough to get things going.

The takeaway? If your house holds moisture, mold is already thinking about moving in.

How to Eliminate Mold

If mold is already in your home, don’t panic—but don’t ignore it either. Mold is a “handle it now” situation, not a “let’s see how it plays out” kind of thing.

Step one: Find the source of moisture and stop it. A dehumidifier can help, but if there’s an active leak or condensation problem, no gadget is going to save you. Fix the plumbing, improve the ventilation, and make sure your HVAC system is functioning properly.

Step two: Clean it up—safely. Small areas (less than 10 square feet) can often be cleaned with detergent and water or a mold-specific cleaner. But for larger problems, or mold in porous materials like drywall or insulation, you’re going to want a professional.

And finally, step three: Prevent it from coming back. That means regular cleanings, air circulation, and humidity control. Gardens Home Management Services can help with all of this—from weekly home watch services to professional cleanings and appliance checks. If mold’s a concern, we’ll catch it before it spreads.

Install Dehumidifiers Or Moisture Absorbing Bags

To prevent organic materials in vacant homes from getting mold infestation, moisture management is required. Two ways of doing so are using moisture-absorbing bags and installing dehumidifiers. Moisture-absorbing bags are filled with materials such as silica gel, clay absorbers and calcium chloride that draw moisture in. When a home is closed for periods of time, these bags might become full, causing further problems. Alternatively, install dehumidifiers that draw air from a room, remove the moisture content and return the dry air to the space.      

Ensure Optimal Ventilation

What is defined as optimal ventilation in a home? The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services states that the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends a home have 0.35 air changes per hour (ACH) to maintain a healthy indoor environment. 

To prevent surface mold from becoming a health concern, what can you do to ensure optimal ventilation?  

• If your home has a central heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system with a filter, change the filter every three months, use a pleated filter, and make sure it is installed properly.
• Use a portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) cleaner if you don’t have an HVAC system.
• Install exhaust fans that vent outdoors above your stovetop and in the bathroom.

Consider A Bathroom Fan

When you combine the humidity in South Florida with the moisture created in a bathroom by hot water, a bathroom fan is a necessity. The Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) recommends getting rid of excess moisture by leaving the fan on for twenty minutes after the bathroom was used. The system can be automated with a timer, and they also suggest installing a separate fan for steam showers. Do you know what type of exhaust fan to use for your size bathroom? Fans are rated on cubic feet per minute (cfm), so choose a fan appropriate to your bathroom needs.    

Gutter Maintenance

Gutters might not be glamorous, but neglecting them can be costly—especially in South Florida’s storm-prone climate. When gutters are clogged or damaged, rainwater doesn’t drain properly. Instead, it backs up, overflows, and can seep into your roofline, siding, or even the foundation of your home. Cue the water damage, rot, mildew, and structural headaches no one has time (or budget) for.

For absentee homeowners, gutter problems often go unnoticed until the damage is already done. It’s not just about leaves. Bird nests, sand, roof granules, and general debris build up fast—and faster when your property isn’t being actively maintained.

Gardens Home Management Services includes gutter checks as part of our home watch service. During regular inspections, our licensed, bonded, and insured team will walk the perimeter of your home, spot signs of clogged or sagging gutters, and recommend timely cleanouts or repairs. You won’t be guessing whether your drainage system is functioning—we’ll show you, complete with photos, in your weekly report. Prevention beats cleanup every time.

Property Visits

Keeping up with property management duties while juggling a modern lifestyle isn’t just hard—it’s almost impossible. That’s where Gardens Home Management Services comes in.

Our property visits are more than a simple drive-by. Our expert team provides detailed, weekly interior and exterior inspections that help safeguard your investment year-round. We inspect your roof for damage, test your HVAC and water systems, look for leaks or pests, and verify your home is secure. It’s all documented in real time using our advanced home watch software, so you know exactly when we were there and what we found.

Need more than just a watchful eye? From handyman repairs and pool maintenance to interior house cleaning and hurricane preparation, our full suite of services has you covered. We make managing your Florida home stress-free, whether you’re away for the season or just prefer expert support.

Have Your Home Cleaned Regularly By A Cleaning Service

Do you want a mold-free home? Get rid of mold spores and musty smells by having your house cleaned regularly by a cleaning service. Gardens Home Management Services (GHMS) offers housekeeping and interior home care services carried out by fully trained, licensed, bonded and insured home care professionals. Did you know we will even repair appliances for you?  

We have standard detail and freshen-up services, and can also do the following in your home:

• Carpet cleaning
• Upholstery and drapery cleaning
• Window and mirror cleaning
• Marble and Stone care. 

Don’t hesitate to use the most popular service offered by Gardens Home Management Services. Request a free consultation to discuss your unique needs. 

Gardens Home Management Services is committed to providing excellent customer service to our clients in South Florida. We are available 24 hours a day, 7-days a week, throughout the year and have branches in Palm Beach Gardens, Boca Raton and Boynton Beach. Do you need pool and spa maintenance services? We can help. If you have mold in an unoccupied home in Boca Raton, contact Gardens Home Management Services today for help.