What to Do if You Find Mold on Walls

What to Do if You Find Mold on Walls

Besides damaging your home, mold on your walls can threaten your family’s health. Water Mold FireRestoration is often asked what do if you find mold on your walls.

When you do see mold on your walls, the quicker you take action to remove it the less damage it will do. The first thing you have to do is to find out why mold is growing there to begin with. Is there a leaky pipe? Is there a roof leak? Has there been a water spill that hasn’t been taken care of properly? Our houses are constructed with materials mold likes to eat, wood, drywall, fabrics, and such. The best thing we can do is to make sure we don’t provide the mold with any source of water.

Signs That Mold May Be Present

Of course if you can see the mold you already know there is a problem. But what if you can’t see it? One thing to look for is any kind out discoloration on your walls. Discolorations may be a sign of a mold problem. The mold may be growing inside the wall cavity where it can’t be seen. As the mold infestation becomes larger, stains or discolorations may appear. The place to look for this is near the floor and baseboards or in the corners of the wall and the ceiling.

Sometimes, before you notice any stains or discolorations, you may see the paint cracking or peeling. Although this might not yet be a sign that mold is already growing, it does possibly indicate an area where there is a water leak. Water and drywall or latex paint can become a breeding ground for mold.

Also most molds give off a musty, earthy odor that you can smell. Often times you can smell mold long before you can see it. If you detect this kind of odor when you enter a room or area, you may have the beginning of a mold problem.

Another sign that there is mold present is if you or a family member begins having allergic reactions with no logical explanation. Some individuals are more sensitive to mold exposure than others. If someone in your family has unexplained allergic reactions, it may be time to investigate for mold.

Cleaning Mold From Walls

If you see mold on your walls you need to respond quickly. If you are lucky, the mold may be just on the surface. Removing it quickly will prevent the mold from doing more serious damage to your home.

First move any furnishing near the area where the mold is and use plastic to cover the floors. Use warm water and an antimicrobial soap (dishwashing liquid or laundry detergent works well) with a rag to wipe away any dirt or debris. Then mix a solution of white vinegar and warm water, spray it on the wall, and allow it to dwell for at least 10-15 minutes. After that amount of time, rinse the area with clean water and dry it with a cloth towel.

If you are not satisfied with the result, you may need to use a stronger, commercial-grade cleaner. Concrobium Mold Control is a good product to use and it is easy to find at most big box home improvement stores.

Dealing With Larger Mold Problems

Most of the time when you find mold on your walls, removing it will take more than just cleaning the surface. Mold tends to grow through porous materials like drywall and wallpaper. The mold that you can see may be only the tip of the iceberg.

Isolate the area that you will be working in using 6-mil plastic to construct a containment chamber. You need to do this to keep from spreading the mold spores to other unaffected areas or rooms. Wear protective clothing and eye goggles. Carefully cut out the contaminated areas and place the pieces into plastic bags before carrying them outside of the containment.

When you have finished removing what is damaged, you need to vacuum any dust and debris then wipe down everything that remains using an antimicrobial cleaner. This step should be repeated two more times over the next two 24-hour periods.

Contact a Mold Removal Pro

If the mold has spread to larger areas (greater that 10 square feet) it’s time to seek professional help. Water Mold Fire Restoration is nationally certified in mold remediation and can help get rid of mold safely and for good. We respond 24/7 and can have experienced technicians on site in one hour or less. We can be reached by email at help@watermoldfire.net or by calling 800-905-0277.