How to Tell if You Have Mold behind Your Wall?

Mold may be a part of nature, but it’s one natural thing that you never want to see in your home. Even the most minor examples of mold can be visually unappealing and potentially cause health issues, especially for people who are allergic.

Learn about what causes mold in the home, what to look for, and how to prevent and treat it to keep every room in the house clean and safe. You have to detect mold in your wall, so, you could speed up ways you can eliminate it before it grows beyond control.

How to detect mold in the wall?

When your home has suffered water damage, it’s very likely that your home will also experience mold growth. If the water damage is serious, then within 24 hours, mold can begin to grow on your property after the water has soaked through to reach the drywall. If you have pipes in your home that are leaking, they can trap moisture in the walls, resulting in water damage and likely mold growth.

However, even the smallest leak can lead to some big problems. It is crucial to deal with water damage early to ensure that the leak doesn’t spread. Water damage that is not treated right away can end up causing severe structural damage that requires extensive repair. It is also one of the most common causes of mold in the home because the moisture creates a perfect environment for mold to grow. Some types of mold, particularly black mold, can become health hazards if they are left unchecked.

What are the problems caused by mold?

Mold growth is particularly concerning because the mold will continue to eat away at affected building materials and increase the damage as it spreads. Mold will also compromise the air quality of your home and pose a health hazard to any and all occupants. Among some of the health concerns that mold presents are eye irritation, coughing, nasal issues, and throat irritation.

Knowing the amount of damage mold can cause, it is important for you to know how to detect mold in your home. However, it can sometimes be difficult to spot mold because it can be hidden. One case of this is mold growth behind your home’s walls.

What are the things to look out for when finding mold behind walls?

You need to look out for discoloration and stains. Because mold growth is often a result of water damage, water stains can be an indicator of the presence of mold. As such, if you spot water stains on your walls, then, it is likely that there’s mold growing behind them. Water stains can be yellow or brown in color, so, look out for such colors on your wall. If the spots are damp, then, that’s an obvious sign of moisture problems as well.

Another indicator of mold growth is discoloration, which can occur even if you have repainted your home’s walls. Discoloration can also happen in the event that damage has been done from within. This is because the mold will still be visible on the wall’s surface. Mold can appear in many shades, from black to white to brown to gray to green. If your wall has vinyl wallpaper, mold will look pink, orange, or purple in appearance.

Surface changes and deterioration

One of the indicators of mold behind your wall is that the surface of your wall must change and deteriorate. Your walls’ appearance can change significantly if there is mold growth behind them. In addition to discoloration and stains, your walls may deteriorate. Paint or wallpaper can crack, peel, or bubble because of moisture and mold growth. Furthermore, your walls may become warped or even bow or bulge when there’s a water issue, which often leads to mold growth.

Odors

In the event that you are unable to visibly spot any signs of mold growth, you’ll likely still be able to smell the mold. Mold gives off a musty odor. It is similar to an earthy smell that you would find in a damp forest.

If you get down and smell the electrical outlets, then you will be able to more easily sniff out whether there is mold growth behind your walls. It sounds like a silly thing to do, but outlets have good access to the space behind the walls in your home.

What to do when finding mold in your home?

Be alert of any of the aforementioned signs. Such things are likely indicators that your home’s walls have mold growing behind them. Considering the damage that mold can have on not only your home’s building materials but also your and others’ health, it is important that you address any mold growth immediately.

If you find out that your home has mold growth, then you should seek professional mold remediation services. You should call a professional exterminator to get rid of the infestation immediately. Professionals can thoroughly tend to the damage, contain the mold, prevent further damage and spreading, conduct necessary repairs or replacements, and even treat your home in a manner that prevents mold from returning.

Restoration professionals should be IICRC-certified and experienced to remove mold growth of all sizes. Shortly after receiving your call, their experts will be on their way to inspect the area. They will then contain the affected area to prevent the mold from spreading. Licensed restoration companies use only the latest products and equipment in order to completely remove mold at its source.

After a thorough remediation service, they will ensure that all areas have been restored to their original conditions, giving you the peace of mind that your home is safe from unsafe living conditions.

Preventative tips

The best way to fix mold growth is to avoid the problem in the first place. The good news is there are several easy ways to prevent mold in the home. Keeping humidity levels low is a great way to reduce the risk of mold; measure and monitor conditions by using a humidity meter. The ideal humidity level is under 50%. This can be achieved by using a dehumidifier or turning up the air conditioning.

Don’t forget to look out for rooms in the house that might be more susceptible to high humidity levels; basements, for example, should be checked consistently for increases in moisture. Another great preventative tip is making sure that your home has excellent ventilation. This is especially important in bathrooms, where moisture and condensation from the shower can build up.