Mold growth can wreak havoc on your property and cause structural damage. The most dangerous of these is mold growing out of sight in wall cavities. It can affect your home’s foundation and cause health issues without you even realizing it.
To prevent this, we have discussed some signs that point toward mold growth in your wall and ways to deal with it. It’ll help you find mold spores before they cause excessive damage and eliminate them from your property.
Signs You Have Mold Inside Walls
1. Staining and Discoloration
When there is mold growth inside your wall, there will be distinct stains and discoloration on your wall. These stains can be blue, green, and black specks along the grout lines with a powdery and slimy texture. So, if you spot these stains on your wall, it indicates mold growth.
2. Unpleasant Odor
A distinct musty odor is the most common indicator of mold growth behind the wall. This smell can be musty, earthy, and sour. So, if you can smell the odor but there is no visible mold growth, you need to do further investigation to find the source.
3. Leaks
Leaks and plumbing issues are the number one cause of water damage. The moisture from these leaks encourages mold growth, especially in dark and damp areas like the basement and sinks. You should inspect the fixtures in your home regularly and search for mold if there is a leak.
4. Peeling Paint
Bubbling and peeling paint is a telltale sign of mold inside the walls. Mold growth can cause the paint to peel and warp. So, if your wall has started peeling and there are bubbles on the surface, it is due to the presence of mold growth.
5. Excessive Humidity
High moisture content in the air increases the chances of mold growth. So, water damage in poorly ventilated areas can soak the walls, and humid conditions can lead to faster mold growth. High humidity also makes it difficult to tackle mold spores, as it facilitates faster mold growth.
Tips to Deal with Mold Inside Walls
1. Identify and Fix the Source
The best way to tackle mold growth is to prevent it. So, if there are leaks or burst pipes in your home, you should fix them by yourself or call a plumber to tackle bigger issues. The sooner you fix the leak, the lesser the chances of it leading to mold growth.
2. Improve Ventilation
There is one thing common in the areas of your home where you may find water damage and mold growth. It is that they are all poorly ventilated. To prevent this, ensure the areas receive proper airflow by opening the windows and turning on the exhaust fan in bathrooms.
3. Insulate Walls
Another way to tackle mold growth inside walls is to insulate the walls. It will minimize the temperature change inside the walls and keep them warmer, reducing the chances of moisture buildup and mold growth. You can ask the experts to insulate your wall to prevent future issues.
4. Maintain Gutters
Gutters and downspouts play an important role in saving your home from water damage. However, clogged and blocked gutters increase the chances of water damage to the foundation, which leads to mold growth. Regular gutter maintenance helps prevent this.
Call the Restoration Experts
Mold growth inside your home is a health hazard, and you shouldn’t try to remove it by yourself. Instead, contact the mold restoration experts from PNW Restoration Service to eliminate mold from your property.
Our experts can deal with mold inside the walls with our advanced equipment. We also sanitize the walls thoroughly to reduce the chances of mold recurring again. So contact us for emergency mold restoration.
