Mold is every homeowner’s unwanted visitor. And sometimes, despite all your efforts to keep your home clean and dry, you might be surprised to see black mold on walls, ceilings, and other surfaces in your home. Just the term “black mold” is enough to make you cringe. Well, you should as it is one of the most dangerous types of mold inside walls that are too common in many households.

If you notice mold on a drywall surface in your home, try not to panic. The truth is that mold can happen anywhere and in any home. All it needs to grow is a source of moisture and an organic food source, and drywall can be an all-you-can-eat buffet.

How to detect mold in walls?

Cleaning mold on visible surfaces may not be easy (especially if it’s a major infestation) but it is very much possible even without the mold remediation experts. Of course, it is more advisable to seek a professional when treating mold on walls but if there’s a minor build-up on your walls, floors, or ceilings, you can get rid of it using common tools and cleaning supplies that you may already have at home.

Before you learn how to remove mold inside walls, you must learn how to detect it. Take note that mold spores are super tiny and not visible to the human eyes so they can spread throughout your house discreetly. And until you know the signs of mold build-up, the black mold could already be damaging your property and you are still clueless.

How to remove mold from walls?

Depending on the severity of the infestation, cleaning mold from walls may or may not require professionals.

Removing mold behind walls is the same as how to treat mold on wood studs. If the mold build-up is on the outer surfaces of your walls, you can safely and conveniently get rid of it using a few solutions like detergents, vinegar-baking soda, or commercial cleaners (find more info here).

But getting rid of mold inside walls is a different thing. It involves tearing down the wall and replacing it. It is to leave it in the hands of professional mold remediation contractors as doing it by yourself could lead to the possibility of drilling or grinding through electrical or plumbing systems.

Below are the ways to eliminate these molds from the walls –

• Prepare your cleaning solution.
• Scrub the mold off using your cleaner and water.
• Dry the area. Open doors and windows to allow air to circulate.
• Use a dehumidifier to reduce moisture problems and prevent mold from growing back.
• If the mold infestation is inside the walls, you will need to hire professionals as there’s a need to knock down the walls and replace them.

How do molds grow on walls? And why?

Certain things make mold grow on walls. Several factors are responsible for it. It accelerates the growth process of these molds.

• Humidity: This is the primary cause of mold problems inside homes. If you live in a humid area, it is advisable to purchase a dehumidifier and move it regularly to different parts of your home to decrease moisture content in your indoor air.

• Condensation: This occurs naturally in the perimeter walls of your home, which is cooler than the air inside your house. When the water in the air experiences a temperature drop as it touches the walls, condensation takes place (moisture is turned into liquid).

• Water leaks: Another common cause of black mold in walls are water leaks coming from different sources, such as holes in the roof or cracks on plumbing systems. It is important to check pipes regularly and takes steps to keep them from leaking.

• Water in the foundation: Look out for a build-up of water around your home’s base. This can lead to foundational problems for your home if there is a lot of water. At your home’s foundation, gathering rainwater can be prevented by sloping your yard outwards from your foundation. In the same line of thought, damp basements are another culprit. Usually, there is no good ventilation in basements. This is an indication that basements could contain higher humidity or moisture amounts compared to other rooms in the home. Also, basements are often colder which means more condensation occurs which leads to humidity and basement.

• Flooding: Flooding is another cause of mold. Problems with mold removal problems are hard to avoid if your home has gone through a flood. Your home will be wet and it may take some time before your home becomes dry. It could take weeks to dry your home. This means that there is a great risk for the growth of mold. Remember that mold only needs twenty-four hours before growth occurs.

What are the other types of mold on walls?

Removing black mold behind drywall is a serious task.

But you should know that aside from black mold in walls, other types of mold could grow on the surfaces or even inside walls. They include Aspergillus (which can cause allergic reactions and respiratory infections), aureobasidium (which can cause more severe reactions than black mold on walls), Chaetomium, Penicillium, and Serpula Lacrymans (that can also grow on wood surfaces).

What are the signs of mold growth?

A lot of the time, detecting mold just means you need to throw out an old sandwich. However, extensive mold in the home can become dangerous. The reason is that some species of mold produce mycotoxin, a substance that leads to headaches, problems with breathing, and even damage to the neurological system. Other symptoms may even include an annoying odor, sneezing, or a runny nose. There are other more subtle signs your home has mold.

For one, a nasty smell coming from your heating system or air conditioner can mean mold. In particular, stand-alone units of air conditioning are the main spots for the growth of mold. They are dark, damp, and exposed frequently to warmer temperatures when not in use. Putting an air conditioner in a heated closet or basement during wintertime also leads to an increased likelihood of the development of mold.

How you can remove mold inside your wall?

When there is mold inside your walls, you won’t be able to tell how extensive the damage is on your own. Removing mold from inside your walls may even be dangerous, particularly if you are suffering from existing conditions such as:

• Allergies
• Asthma
• Breathing problems
• Skin irritation
• Itchiness
• Fatigue

Unless you are a licensed mold expert, it is best to leave the mold eradication process to a team of professionals. Doing this yourself may aggravate your symptoms and any pre-existing conditions unnecessarily. Attempting to do anything yourself may even cause you to spend more money later on trying to deal with your aggravated symptoms that are a direct result of mold.