Is mold growing behind your walls? 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. Since mold often grows in wall cavities following pipe leaks and flooding, it can be difficult to spot. And it’s for this reason that it can grow and create a toxic environment in your home. The good news is that even hidden mold leaves behind clues and if detected early, mold can be safely removed before it becomes a catastrophe. You can find out if mold is growing in your walls in several ways.
Noticeable Signs of Mold
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.
Surface Changes and Deterioration – Your walls’ appearance can change significantly if there’s 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.
Musty Smell – 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. Outlets have good access to the space behind the walls in your home.
Is Mold Behind Walls Costly?
Some people might be tempted to ignore the presence of mold growing behind walls because what is out of sight is out of mind. Doing this is very dangerous because the mold hidden in your walls is as risky or even more risky than the one you can see on the surface. These risks include health implications and structural damage.
Mold is risky to your health and loved ones. Mold is the leading cause of most allergies and some respiratory-related conditions like asthma. Upon being exposed to mold, the airways respond by producing overly more mucus that affects proper breathing in people with a compromised immune system. Similarly, your pets also get affected by the mold and can even experience serious breathing complications. This costs you so much unnecessary money for treatment and medications.
Mold growing behind walls causes damage to the walls, wood, and the beams due to rotting. When the mold goes unnoticed for an extended period of time, it starts feeding on the wood by making it rot, and in the end, you have the structure coming down. It also causes discoloration of the walls, making them very unsightly, while at the same time feeding on them through rotting. This costs you unnecessary money because you will be required to keep repairing and painting the walls. Since mold growth is a result of moisture presence, this may act as a perfect breeding ground for microorganisms that also feed on the wood, hence damaging the whole structure.
Should You Call a Professional?
Because of the potential danger that unchecked mold can cause, if you see evidence of it behind your walls or anywhere else in your home, it’s best to consult a mold remediation company like Xtreme Home Improvement. Our experts can conduct a thorough inspection and determine exactly what type of mold is present. We use only the latest products and equipment in order to completely remove mold at its source. We will 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. We 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. Contact us today for more information.
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