Can mold grow behind walls?

Can mold grow behind walls?

In addition, mold, even behind the walls, still leaves a trademark odor. If you start to notice a strange smell, this may be another indication that you need to call an expert! Since mold is usually caused by water damage, it can be helpful to understand the different classes of water damage that can occur in the home.

Why does mold keep coming back on my walls?

The major reason why molds keep coming back after being removed is excess moisture and failure to cut off all favorable conditions for their growth. It is important to monitor the moisture levels in your home and keep the area well-ventilated using fans.

How do you know if mold is growing behind walls?

A musty smell is a good indicator that mold is growing in your home. The smell of mold feels earthy, like rotting leaves or decaying wood in a dense, damp forest. If you think there’s mold in your walls, get on your hands and knees and smell the electrical outlets.

How can you tell if there is mold behind your walls?

Mold can be black, green, gray, white, or brown. Mold can even appear orange, pink or purple when it grows behind vinyl wallpaper. Another sign of visible mold is discoloration of walls, even if it has been painted over.

How does mold in walls affect your health?

Inhaling mould fragments or spores can inflame the airways, causing nasal congestion, wheezing, chest tightness, coughing and throat irritation. Prolonged exposure to high levels of indoor dampness can reduce lung function and cause chronic health problems such as asthma.

Does inactive mold need to be removed?

Strictly speaking, it’s technically impossible to “remove” all mold. Dormant microscopic mold spores are inherent in nature and pervasive in both outdoor and indoor environments. Unless (or until) they are triggered into active growing mode, dormant spores pose no issues.

How long does it take for mold to spread in walls?

Mold growths, or colonies, can start to grow on a damp surface within 24 to 48 hours. They reproduce by spores – tiny, lightweight “seeds”- that travel through the air. Molds digest organic material, eventually destroying the material they grow on, and then spread to destroy adjacent organic material.

Can inactive mold make you sick?

Certain molds produce mycotoxins which, depending on the exposure level, can cause health effects. Both active and inactive molds can pose potential health hazards. Health effects from mold can be acute from short-term high exposures or chronic from long-term exposure to lower levels.

How do you tell if mold is growing in your walls?

Most mold is unmistakable, but sometimes small or largely hidden growths just make a surface look dirty. A quick test for mold can be done when you dip a swab in diluted bleach (1 part bleach, 16 parts water) and dab it on the wall. If the spot quickly lightens (or keeps coming back after cleaning), assume it’s mold.