How Do You Check For Mold In Your Walls

Treating The Affected Areas

What Does Mold Look Like

When identifying mold based on sight, it is not just about what the mold itself looks like directly, but what the surroundings look like as well because mold does damage to your building and its structure.

The mold itself looks dark green. Sometimes, when it becomes awful, it will turn into a blackish color. Mold reportings have had various colors, from purple to blue, from orange to pink. However, the most common colors for mold are dark green and black mold.

Now, because anything can be dark green or black, it is important to look at the mold infestation surroundings, such as walls and flooring. It is very common with mold present to see wallpaper peeling off and your drywall becoming not so dry. The ceiling can also become weakened from the mold, leaving parts of it at risk of falling. The reason for this is because mold eats away the material your house is used to be built. It rots away wood hence the smell leaving important pieces to the structure compromised and at risk of collapsing altogether. Wires and pipes can also be left exposed, creating additional hazards.

Another thing to keep in mind is if you can see the mold growth, the problem might be far more severe than it appears. Mold is not just present on the outside of your walls, but also on the inside, where you may have no clue what is going on. This is why it has been stated earlier that detecting and identifying mold can be more complicated than one may think.

Who Should Be Concerned

Mold becomes a big, expensive problem very quickly. This problem can even start from or spread to hard to spot and reach places. Mold inspections by a professional environmental consulting company are essential for peace of mind.

You are more likely to be affected by a neighbors mold problems if you are in closer vicinity to their home or business.

• Long Sitting Properties Under Construction
• Long Foreclosed Properties
• Close Neighbors

Property managers may not regularly tour empty houses. Homes and businesses in limbo can easily foster fungus. Leaking appliances, abandoned animal waste or food, or weather-related damages that let water inside go unchecked. This is when mold moves in.

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Signs To Look Out For

How do you know if there may be mold? Here are some things to look for:

• A smell of mildew
• Colorful growth on walls or surfaces
• Damp areas in the house
• Discoloration around the air handler or register vents
• Discoloration under a kitchen or bathroom sink
• Discoloration in a tub or shower
• Closets have mildew, moldy smell
• Sudden allergies or respiratory problems
• Water marks on ceiling from potential roof leaks
• Exterior discoloration from stucco or block wall issues
• Higher-than-normal humidity in interior of property
• Your property has suffered some level ofwater damage

These are only some signs that you can keep your eye out for to better detect mold. Never hesitate to contact FP Property Restoration if you think that you may have mold in your home or business. The sooner we are able to come out to your property andtest for mold, the sooner we can start themold removal and remediation process. We are a 24-hour emergency restoration company and, when you call, we will arrive on-site in 30 minutes or less.

How To Test For Mold In 6 Steps

Mold infestations can usually be seen or smelled, but they can also remain hidden behind walls or under carpets. Testing isnt necessary if you can see or smell mold that is confirmation enough to call a professional and begin the remediation process. Testing for mold in the house may be necessary if requested by a health professional or needed for legal purposes, such as a lawsuit with a landlord. Another reason to consider testing is if you arent able to see or smell mold in your home but are having unexplained symptoms associated with mold. Always follow the instructions provided with a test kit , but this is generally what to expect:

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Your Choice For Mold And Mildew Removal In Bentonville

Drywall is particularly susceptible to mold growth. This is because drywall is a porous material. Add moisture and poor ventilation and you have the perfect recipe for mold. Bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms, and kitchens are the most the commonly affected rooms in a home, but mold can grow anywhere where these conditions are present. Roof leaks and flooding can also lead to mold growth if not properly and immediately dealt with.

Ways To Determine If Your Finished Basement Has Mold

A finished basement adds usable space to the home whether it be for recreation, a kids play area, or organized storage. It also can bring an unexpected bonus to potential homebuyers. An unfinished basement is typically easier to detect mold. Finished basements, however, present a greater challenge as mold can be hidden behind your drywall, paneling or other finished surfaces.

Here are a few tips to determine if you have mold without ripping apart your finished basement:

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Common Places For Mold To Grow

If you have had water damage to your home, its important to be on the lookout for possible mold growth. For example, mold in basement walls or floors can occur after flooding or severe water damage. Also chronic or persistent leaking from appliances, sinks, and showers can also lead to mold growth.

To find hidden mold, look for evidence of water intrusion which is often a sure sign that you either have mold in the home now or will be growing it soon. While it can be difficult to detect mold in the walls, its important to look for these signs of mold growth, to identify the problem as quickly as possible. Moisture meters and particle counters can be used by a certified inspector to source the water leak and fungal growth and even help detect if there is mold in your walls.

If you suspect mold growth in your home, here are some of the most common locations to check for mold to grow in the house:

Keep in mind that mold is a sign of excessive moisture and water intrusion and can be visible or hidden behind many different surfaces. Whether its from a leaking pipe or previous water damage, mold can lead to costly building repairs and even adverse health effects, which is why it should be handled promptly.

What To Do If You Find Black Mold In Your Home

Experts weigh-in on removal and safety tips.

Mold isnât always a bad thingbut itâs still not an organism you want growing unchecked in your home. âSome molds are very benign,â says Leslie Andersen, vice president of training and launch at restoration company Paul Davis. âAnd some are really good: Think about bleu cheese, or penicillin, or mushrooms, or beerall of those have molds in them.â But if you find a musty smell in your basement or see a patch of fungal growth in a water-prone area of your home, that indicates a mold youâll want to removeespecially if itâs hazardous black mold.

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Products And Tools Youll Need To Test For Mold In Your Home

The only thing you need to test for mold at home is a test kit. In addition to the ones previously mentioned, there are several options available:

• Pro-Lab Mold Test Kit: This kit includes three tests. Your sample can be tested for an additional $40 fee, with results delivered by e-mail or via the companys app.
• MoldCheck Multi-Test Kit: This kit includes supplies to perform ten tests, which is great for an entire home or monitoring an ongoing infestation. However, there is no lab testing option, so you will need to find your own if you need identification.
• ImmunoLytics Mold Screening Test Kit: Perform eight tests with this kit. Each plate can be tested for $33 each.
• My Mold Detective: If you are looking for a more advanced mold monitoring option, the My Mold Detective is a reusable air sampling pump that collects samples in just five minutes. The device comes with four sampling cassettes that can be tested in a lab for $35 each.
• My Mold Detective Additional Samples: The My Mold Detective can be used again and again, so order as many samples as you need to keep tabs on your mold problem.

Is Mold Behind A Wall Dangerous

Yes. Absolutely yes. In fact, it can be MORE dangerous than visible mold because it can go undetected for a long time, continue to grow and compromise multiple areas of your home, and it can release mass amounts of mycotoxins as the active mold growth begins to compete for space. In addition, the mold spores and mycotoxins can quietly move through your duct work and invade all areas of your living space. Mold is known to cause a wide range of health problems and mold behind a wall is no different than visible mold elsewhere in your home.

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What Causes Mold To Grow Inside Walls

There are a few common reasons mold will grow inside walls that even attentive homeowners could miss out on.

A broken water pipe between walls allows water to pool and paves the way for mold growth. Even if you dried all the surface water, porous building materials will soak up the water and create a damp space for fungus.

A window leak also can lead to water exposure in between walls. A small hole will lead to a persistent leak letting water flow down the inside of your wall. Humidity can creep into every available area of your home and take root. Inadequate ventilation will cause mildew to build up in all areas that are not sufficiently air-conditioned. People who live in hot and wet climates are most at risk of humid air causing mildew growth.

Poor insulation and siding are some of the most common reasons mold can grow within walls. When insulation becomes wet, it stops acting as a barrier and becomes completely porous. This is a typical chain of events: the roof has a small hole that leaks on the insulation, allowing water to pool inside the skeleton of your home, making the ideal conditions for mold.

Water Damage Has Different Types

There are also different categories of water damage

Clean water is uncontaminated and typically comes from a sink, toilet, or water line.

Grey water often comes from dishwashers, laundry machines, and other appliances and has other substances in it that could be harmful if ingested.

Blackwater is the most contaminated water damage category and usually comes from a sewer backup or stagnant water. This is very unsanitary and could result in serious illness if ingested.

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Preventing Mold In Your Home

The best way to keep your family safe from black mold is to prevent it from growing. Since mold grows in damp, dark places, you should aim to improve ventilation and reduce humidity in areas that are prone to mold.

In your bathrooms, for example, you can use a shower squeegee to remove excess water from shower walls and bathroom mirrors. You can also install a vent fan or open a window when showering to allow humidity to leave the room. These steps help reduce the moisture in your bathroom and make it more difficult for black mold to grow.

Make searching for black mold or potential growth areas a part of your spring cleaning routine. The sooner you catch a mold growth, the better chance you have to get rid of it before it causes health problems.

To Prevent Mold Growth In Your Home

• Keep humidity levels in your home as low as you canno higher than 50%all day long. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep the level low. You can buy a meter to check your homes humidity at a home improvement store. Humidity levels change over the course of a day so you will need to check the humidity levels more than once a day.
• Be sure the air in your home flows freely. Use exhaust fans that vent outside your home in the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside your home.
• Fix any leaks in your homes roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.
• Clean up and dry out your home fully and quickly after a flood.
• Add mold inhibitors to paints before painting. You can buy mold inhibitors at paint and home improvement stores.
• Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.
• Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried right away. Think about not using carpet in places like bathrooms or basements that may have a lot of moisture.
• To learn more about preventing mold in your home, see the Environmental Protection Agencys book A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home at .

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What Does Mold Feel Like To Touch

While other types of mold may have a fuzzy, light texture, black mold will usually be slimy or wet. Some early forms of black mold have a powdery feel. Rub the mold with a paper towel to determine the texture, but be sure to wear gloves, a face mask, coveralls, and safety goggles when going near mold.

Mold Reactions: Whos At Risk

For people sensitive to mold, inhaling or touching mold spores can cause allergic reactions, including sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash. People with serious mold allergies may have more severe reactions, including shortness of breath. In people with asthma who are allergic to mold, breathing in spores can also cause asthma attacks.

In addition to people with allergies and asthma, others who may be more sensitive to the effects of mold include:

• Infants and children

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Tips For Mold Prevention

Wondering how you can prevent mold from affecting your home? Here are a few tips that may help you prevent mold from forming altogether.

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