Mold Inside Walls

Yet another sign of mold growing unseen inside the walls is a musty odor.

Mold inside walls. Mold growth within the walls even if the mold problem does not seem serious water stains can indicate a need for treatment of black mold inside walls. Other humid areas include the walls and ceiling near humidifiers and any room with a hot tub or jacuzzi improperly installed indoors. Condensation is especially common on walls which form the perimeter of a house. Condensation forms when water vapor in the air meets cold surfaces and cools to become liquid.

Use a small mirror with a long handle and a flashlight to look inside the walls for mold. How and why mold grows on walls the most common causes of mold growing on walls are high humidity condensation and water leaks which are often hidden inside the wall. Look for patches of mold in colors ranging from white to orange and green to brown and black. Microscopic mold spores in wall cavities typically remain dormant unless until moisture triggers the spores into active growth mode.

In fact you may not see signs of mold on the outside of the wall but the inner wall may be growing mold spores that can be spread throughout the house. 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. You may also see furry growth and black stains. Certified mold testers are usually engineers and they know how and where to look for mold.

Bathrooms and laundry rooms develop mold because they re typically very humid. You can also call in a certified mold tester to inspect your home and test different areas for the presence of mold. But you should know that aside from black mold in walls there are other types of mold that could grow on the surfaces or even inside walls. Mold on basement or exterior walls occurs when water vapor in the air meets a cold surface and turns the vapor into a liquid.

If you see mold on the surface of a wall it is possible there is mold inside the walls as well. Check for speckled or cottony growth on walls especially near water damaged surfaces. Look for discolored patches on walls furniture and carpeting. Potential internal moisture sources include seepage from plumbing pipes routed through the wall water from roof leaks dripping downward into walls recent flooding or other significant water damage.

Because it is difficult or impossible to remove mold from porous materials like drywall you will need to remove and replace the moldy section of drywall. That will make it easy to check for mold inside the wall.