How to Know if Mold Is in Your Walls

Mold, forms from spores in the air, and grows in areas with constant humidity and a temperature of 40 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit and have been around for several million years. According to the molds cause allergies and health problems in the respiratory system.

Thus, you should be on the lookout for molds in your home and eliminate them.

Here are 5 ways to tell if mold is growing in your walls:

Mold Odor

Mold has a stuffy smell, which smells like rotting leaves. If you detect it, it’s a sure sign of mold presence. Since molds are living organisms, they habit areas with constant temperatures, water supply, and food. As such, damp areas in your house are the likely hideouts. Follow the strong smell until you spot dark rings either on the wall or the floor. Areas with excessive moisture that form the structural framework of your home offer perfect ground, especially if they’re damaged. However, to ascertain that there is mold, call in disaster clean up specialists for a professional examination.

Dark Spots

Mold can easily enter your home through vents, air conditioning, and ventilation systems. It can also attach to clothes, pets, and shoes. Once it enters your living space, it grows fast on your walls, especially on layers of paint and wallpapers. If you see dark spots on your walls, it is time for a proper mold inspection to restore air quality in your living space.

Dirty Surfaces

If your wall looks dirty, you might take the appearance to be a mark of untidiness. However, stubborn patches of dirt are a sign of mold growth. You can rely on Disaster Doctors to distinguish between dirt spots and mold growth. Our disaster cleanup specialists can give you a definitive test to eliminate any doubt. Dirty patches that are hard to clean need the application of bleaching agent dissolved in water in a ration of 1 part to 16 parts. Once the cleaning is done, a light glow appears immediately and serves as confirmation of mold. We will run further tests to determine what type of mold it is.

Leaks

Before inspecting the walls for mold growth, it is commendable to probe your draining system. Water leakage from water pipes and plumbing fixtures feed mold. Also, if your walls are dry, they’ll absorb water and serve as a hub for the growth of mold. Therefore, if you spot leakage in the plumbing works on the inside or the exterior of the walls, there are some colonies of mold flourishing in your home.

Rotting wood

Since mold feeds on decomposing matter, rotten wood in your ceiling, decks, and roof flashing are common grounds for mold growth. Look out for rotten wood in such areas and inspect moisture levels. If there’s a lot of dampness or an evident leak, then, the mold is thriving in your living space.

Disaster Doctors is a family-owned company offering specialized mold clean up services? We have qualified, mold disaster cleanup specialists certified by the (IICRC). Call us today to learn how we can help with mold inspections and cleanup.