Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Is There Mold In My Walls

Can I Clean The Mold On The Interior Walls Myself Or Do I Need A Professional

How Can Consumers Detect Mold Inside Their Walls

Mildew is usually easy to remove from hard surfaces, and is easily a DIY project. Mold however is a different story. Customers often ask us, Can I clean the mold myself or do I need a professional?

Our answer depends several factors including:

  • how extensive the mold problem is
  • what building materials, furnishings, and belongings are affected
  • where the mold is located
  • whether or not you mind being in confined spaces such as your crawlspace, basement, or attic

If youre familiar with our blog, you know that the first thing to do when cleaning mold is to fix the moisture problem that led to the mold growth. Until you fix the moisture problem, mold will continue to grow and spread.

Mold is great at hiding in hard to detect locations such as in drywall and insulation. If the area of mold covers more than about 10 square feet, there is a good chance the mold problem is more than an isolated issue.

DIY? Be sure youre cleaning safely!

If the area of mold is less than 10 square feet and you dont have any health problems with mold, you may be able to handle it yourself. To get all the details check out our post: Black Mold vs Mildew 7 Common Misconceptions and When to DIY. Our article gives you all the details on how to DIY safely, and what mold removal products to use that are safe and environmentally friendly.

Is Mold Inside Your Dishwasher Dangerous

As with all mold and fungal types, some molds are dangerous while others are harmless and sometimes helpful to humans. The main thing to remember about molds inside your dishwasher is that you cannot tell if the mold is safe or dangerous. So, treat all mold types as if they are not good for you. Have a Mold Busters professional inspect and test the molds that are growing, so you are certain of what type of mold it is.

Is White Mold Dangerous

While mildew and similar types of mold are less of a danger and more of a hindrance, white mold is a health hazard. Inhalation of white mold spores, especially over a long period of time, can cause mold-induced asthma, allergic fungal sinusitis, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis , and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Lets look at the health effect of mold in greater detail:

  • Allergenic molds cause allergies as well as asthma. When you come into contact with these types of molds, your respiratory system flares up. Around 20-30 % of individuals have a allergic reaction to mold that can lead to rhinitis, otherwise known as hay fever. Minor reactions are congestion, rash, and itchy eyes to very severe reactions of swelling, difficulty breathing vomiting, diarrhea, vomiting, and mental confusion.
  • Pathogenic molds are able to cause more serious diseases. For people that have weak immune systems, these types of molds can severely affect the persons already compromised health. Minor reactions are skin irritation, nail infections, and athletes foot while severe reactions are life-threatening infections of organs.
  • Most white molds tend to be allergenic or pathogenic. However, regardless of the type of mold you find growing in your home, you should always consult qualified professionals about how to remove the mold toxin from your home safely and effectively.

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    How Do You Prevent Mold Inside Your Dishwasher

    The best way to prevent mold from growing inside your dishwasher is to keep it clean and dry after each use. When you unload the machine of your dishes, look around inside to see if there is any build-up of food anywhere. If there is, remove it and wipe down the areas where it was. Also, take a paper towel and wipe around the doors seal to dry it and clean it of any food particles that may have been lodged in there. The final step is to open the door a little to let the moisture escape and the unit to dry out inside. These measures will go a long way to keep your dishwasher clean and healthy.

    Know When To Clean And When To Call

    Picture Of Black Looking Mold On The Back Of Drywall In A Damp Basement ...

    Its not hard to take care of mold as a homeowner, but its a good idea to know when to call in the pros. If you 1. smell a musty odor in your home you cant identify, 2. have health problems associated with mold, or 3. if an area of mold covers more than around 10 square feet, there is a good chance the mold problem is more than an isolated issue. When any of those three conditions are met, its time to call the professionals.

    Especially if you dont live in our service area, check out our post: How to Choose the Best Black Mold Removal Company. We help you know all the questions to ask the company you interview, and give you all the correct answers.

    The company you choose should know all the answers to the questions in our article. Dont get scammed! Get smart! Always ask a lot of questions before hiring anyone to work on your home.

    Recommended Reading: How To Remove Mold From Colored Clothes

    Is Mold Inside Walls Dangerous

    In as little as 24 hours, mold can begin to grow in damp and dark areas. The dreaded Stachybotrys chartarum, or black mold, feeds off cellulose, which both wood and drywall are made of. Oxygen, water, food, and darkness are all thats needed to make this take root. It is both easier and faster for mold to grow than you may think.

    Black mold can cause hay fever symptoms in healthy people and lead to severe respiratory problems in people with preexisting conditions. Studies have shown black mold can cause sleep apnea, hives, rashes, and other common allergy symptoms.

    Along with the sickness this fungus can bring, the structural integrity of your walls is threatened by mildew. Since mold eats cellulose, it slowly takes apart the building blocks of your home and puts it at risk of collapse.

    Mold inside walls is very dangerous because it is so hidden. The spores hidden in crevices can be carried away by the air current of an HVAC system to infect all areas of your home.

    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.

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    Best Mold Cleaner For Walls

    Destroy, remove and stop black spores from growing back with this Complete Mold Killer and Removal DIY Bundle. The RMR-141 will completely clean and disinfect the walls where the black spores are growing. After you have cleaned the area, use the RMR-86 to remove the stain. Once the area looks clean, spray the RMR-141 on the wall you just cleaned and the RMR-141 will prevent the fungus from returning. This cleaner is designed to clean black, green or any other type of mold that is growing on your walls. No scrubbing is required. Simply spray this cleaner on your wall and within minutes, the site will be completely clean. This fungicide kit is all you need to clean your home of these unwanted organisms. This cleaner is cost efficient when the black spores are in a small area that you can clean yourself. When cost is a factor and you are on a budget, the RMR- 141 and RMR-86 will get the job done.

    Worth The Cost Of Testing

    How To Remove Mold From Walls (Drywall)

    Mold can be a tricky problem to deal with. The first step in tackling your potential mold problem is to have a certified inspector visit your home to assess the mold damage or to bring a sample of your mold growth to an accredited lab for testing. At JSE, we specialize in laboratory and in-home testing to provide you with an accurate analysis of your mold growth.

    Our mold lab offers quick turn-around times and has hygienists on staff to answer your questions. In-house lab services include mold spore analysis by direct exam for both bulk and air samples. Mold can be a pesky problem in any household. If you suspect you have mold growth in your home, contact JSE online or at to get your sample tested.

    Also Check: What Type Of Health Problems Can Mold Cause

    Signs Of Mold Inside Walls

    Mold inside walls is one of the least likely places where you will notice a sign. It is the #1 place where mold hides undetected for long periods of time.

    There are a few ways your home might show you a sign that you have mold behind a wall. These are:

    • Although mold can smell like anything, there is a chance you may smell an odd odor in a specific area that was not present before. Most people report a musty smell that gets stronger in one area of the home.
    • There are water stains or discoloration on the wall itself or the baseboards. These are usually yellow or brown in color.
    • The wall or a portion of the wall feels cooler to the touch than the areas around it.
    • The wall weeps with condensation.
    • The wall has a discolored substance on it that many people mistake as splatters of cooking oil or something similar. I personally think it looks like little splatters of ear wax.
    • Your wall may show a physical change. Paint or wallpaper can crack, peel, or bubble because of trapped moisture and subsequent mold growth. Your walls may become warped or even bulge. A lot of people mistake a wall bulge due to moisture as a nail bulge. Your walls may even begin to rot and crumble.

    Condensation And Persistent Moisture

    Whether there is excess moisture on your windows, or condensation dripping from your pipes, a damp home is an ideal breeding ground for mold, and can be an indicator that mold is already present in your home. The best dehumidifiers serve as a good solution to reduce excess moisture as they will set the humidity in your home to the level you indicate on the dehumidifier. They aren’t a permanent solution, however, and you should consider getting your windows swapped for double-glazed panes, or having them re-sealed by a professional.

    If you’re finding moisture on pipes, a plumber can help diagnose the problem here. In some instances, putting insulation around pipes can prevent moisture build-up, and in others you can consider running warm-water pipes away from cold ones, to avoid excess moisture build-up.

    Recommended Reading: How To Clean Mold Off Car Seats

    White Mold On Carpets

    As most of us know, wet carpets are very difficult to dry, especially when were talking not just about a small spill, but a large leak or flood. This is when bacteria and mold have the opportunity to thrive. It is important to avoid carpeting your home below ground level or in rooms that are prone to spills, high humidity, and flooding . Luckily, moldy carpets are fairly easy to recognize as they will give off a strong musty odor and cause allergic reactions. Try to clean and dry wet carpets promptly in order to avoid mold spreading to the subfloor. If this happens, you will likely have to remove and replace your entire flooring system.

    Signs You Might Have Mold Behind The Walls

    Fresh Mold On Basement Walls, Cannot Identify Where It

    Mold in your home is a serious problem and should be dealt with and remediated as soon as it is discovered. Mold can lead to serious health concerns for the occupants of your home, so you dont want to take this issue lightly. Mold is also an indicator of other potential issues within your homes construction, so it is a good idea to consult a contractor, in addition to a professional remediation service, when mold is discovered. But, it isnt always obvious because mold can often be behind the walls. Here are a few of the common signs you might have mold behind the walls to help you identify an issue more quickly and mitigate any additional damages:

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    What Problems Can Mold Behind Walls Cause

    Mold hidden behind your walls still has the same impact as mold found throughout other places in your home and is not any less of a problem. When there is mold behind your wall and you do nothing about it, it will continue to do damage to your homes interior. There is always a trickle down effect with mold. It doe not just impact the surface it is on but the people around it as well. Mold will always hamper the air quality of an environment whenever it is present. Everybody wants the best air quality possible inside their homes, so when you detect mold, no matter where it is, have a plan to be rid of it.

    How Do You Check For Mold Inside Your Walls

    To check inside your walls for mold, you’ll need to carefully cut out six-inch squares of drywall, remove the cut-out squares, and use a long-handled mirror and flashlight to look inside for mold. It is recommended that you check in several places, since you might miss small amounts of mold if you only look inside the wall in one spot. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends hiring a professional to help you look for hidden mold, including mold in walls, since the process can potentially spread mold throughout the room and expose you to harmful mold spores, if in fact it turns out there is mold inside the wall.

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    How Do Molds Get In The Indoor Environment And How Do They Grow

    Mold is found both indoors and outdoors. Mold can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold in the air outside can also attach itself to clothing, shoes, and pets can and be carried indoors. When mold spores drop on places where there is excessive moisture, such as where leakage may have occurred in roofs, pipes, walls, plant pots, or where there has been flooding, they will grow. Many building materials provide suitable nutrients that encourage mold to grow. Wet cellulose materials, including paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood, and wood products, are particularly conducive for the growth of some molds. Other materials such as dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation materials, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery, commonly support mold growth.

    How To Remove Mold From Walls

    Black Toxic Mold Hidden In Your Walls? You Need To Do This

    When talking about the best way to remove it and the best way to prevent it, it is essential that you understand the answers to your questions depends on what part of the wall it is growing on and what type of material the wall is made of. For example, dealing with it on a concrete brick wall in the basement is much different than how you would deal with mold growing on and/or inside of an area made from drywall.

    • Step 1: Clean all surfaces.Trying to remove black mold from a wall can be more difficult than it seems. Before tackling the wall, make sure to thoroughly clean beforehand. Not only does the mold need to be killed and effectively removed, but the underlying membrane must also be cleared. Without removing the underlying membrane, the mold can easily return.
    • Step 2: Decide if you need a HEPA vacuum.If black mold is severe, HEPA vacuums may need to be used.
    • Step 3: Disinfect. Air scrubbers, ozone machines and foggers can all be used to disinfect the surfaces after mold has been removed. This is an important step to keep the area clean and safe.

    Also Check: How Long Until Black Mold Affects You

    Mold On Dishes And Dishwasher Rack

    If there is a large enough colony of mold growing inside your dishwasher, and you dont run the machine every day, you could find that the mold will start growing on your dishes. This happens because there is a build-up of food on the dishes that will feed the mold spores and cause them to grow. The food is a great source of nutrients for the mold to thrive. This is also true for the dishwasher rack. The same rules apply since the dishes sit on the rack and food particles get lodged on the racks causing the mold to start to colonize on them.

    Allergy Or Asthma Flare

    Certain species of mold release a harmful substance calledmycotoxin, which can trigger respiratory issues for those with allergies and asthma . Have you found yourself sneezing, coughing, feeling fatigued or blowing your nose no matter the time of year? It may be time to give the home a thorough inspection.

    Have you been experiencing an increase in your allergy and asthma symptoms? Mold in your home may be the culprit. If you suspect that your home has a mold problem, it’s critical that you act fast. Trust the Experts. Trust ProClean. #MoldRemediation#MoldAssessment#MoldRemoval

    ProClean Pensacola

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