Mold growth inside of your walls is unmistakable evidence of moisture intrusion. Insulation, studs, and drywall all suffer damage as a result of mold. Your health could be endangered by specific mold types. Additionally, the inspection report will undoubtedly mention mold in the walls if you’re considering selling your house.
Remediating mold in walls is a quick but messy project that can take a week or two. Due to this and worries about safety, many do-it-yourselfers choose to work with a professional mold remediation company.
Which Mold Do You Have?
In your home, mold can develop anywhere there is a lot of moisture, especially if it is left there for a long time. Mold typically grows on the walls, ceilings, and floors of houses with poor moisture control. Mold is particularly fond of living in basements, shower walls, and windowsills.
For all intents and purposes, mildew and mold are interchangeable terms. Many minor mold issues in the home, like mold on shower tile grout, are generally referred to as mildew. When left unchecked, some molds can grow to be extremely toxic to humans. Mold can lead to allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and other respiratory issues.
Young children, the elderly, people with pre-existing respiratory conditions, and people with compromised immune systems are particularly at risk for these complications. Mold can come in a variety of forms and hues, but neither of these characteristics reliably identifies the species of mold. However, it frequently appears as various shades of black, white, green, or blue as well as numerous mixtures of these and other colors.
What Is White Mold?
White mold is frequently discovered on walls and other structures in cool, damp environments, such as basements. It is frequently mistaken for efflorescence, a mineral deposit that develops on masonry surfaces such as foundation walls as a result of water seepage. By misting it with water, you can determine if it’s mold. It is a mineral deposit if it dissolves; if not, it is most likely white mold.
What Is Black Mold?
Black mold is frequently discovered inside homes where excessive moisture has damaged the wallboard and other surfaces. Although this type of mold’s “toxicity” is often discussed, the mold itself is not harmful.
However, depending on the specific mold species, it has the potential to produce mycotoxins that can be harmful to people and animals. Use caution when removing any molds, especially when there are many of them, is a good general rule to follow.
What Is Green Mold?
Similar to blue mold, green mold is very prevalent in homes and frequently manifests itself in damp areas like shower walls and damp corners. Like with most molds, green mold can be eliminated by scrubbing it away with a bleach solution.
What Is Blue Mold?
Another typical color of household mold is blue, which can show up on bathroom walls and ceilings and other damp areas of the house. The perfect environment for this mold to start growing and flourishing is moisture that accumulates on walls after taking long, steamy showers.
Read More: How To Clean Black Spots In The Bathroom? ( 5 DIY Solutions)
Five Most Common Causes Of Growth
The five most typical sources of mold are flooding, water at the foundation, leaks in the roof, leaks in the pipes, and inadequate humidity and ventilation.
Pipes Leaking
The most frequent reason for the development of mold is water leaking from a pipe. The worst leaks are those that are hidden, like those that occur inside walls or above ceilings. Mold festers in hidden leaks, and the mold may already be spreading.
Flooding
Mold can also develop as a result of flooding. If your home has experienced flooding, it can be difficult to avoid mold removal issues. Your house will be wet, and it might take some time for it to dry.
Drying your home could take several weeks. This indicates that there is a significant chance for the growth of mold. Keep in mind that mold can begin to grow in just twenty-four hours.
A Leaking Roof
Pipe leaks in the attic, for example, can cause leaks in the roof that go undetected until the mold has already gotten out of control. Keep an eye out for any leaks in your attic on a regular basis to make sure it’s in top shape. Watch out for water stains, especially on the ceiling next to the attic.
Poor Humidity
An unventilated home poses a mold risk. Lack of ventilation results in pockets of moist, stagnant air that will promote the development of mold. Humidity results from steam and water evaporation. To be circulated outside, this must maintain a balanced moisture level.
Keep in mind that certain circumstances are required for the growth of mold. Time for growth, humidity, water leaks, or any other source of moisture, warmth, darkness, a food source like cotton, drywall, or wood, and mold spores are all examples of what this means.
Water In The Foundation
Watch out for any water accumulation at the base of your house. If there is a lot of water, this could cause issues with your home’s foundation. By sloping your yard away from your home’s foundation, you can stop rainwater from collecting there. Damp basements are another offender along the same lines.
Typically, basements lack adequate ventilation. This suggests that basements may have higher levels of humidity or moisture than other rooms in the house. In addition, because basements are frequently colder, more condensation forms there, which causes humidity in the basement.
Seven Common Signs Mold Is Inside Your Walls
Visible Mold
Mold inside walls frequently remains there. But if it does migrate to the drywall paper, wallpaper, paint, or baseboards, it does so in sporadic, small-spotted patches. Mold may be white, gray, gray-green, or gray-brown in color.
(Read More: How To Remove Paint From Hardwood Floors?)
Musty Smell
In comparison to wet cardboard, wet animals, or the basement of an old house, mold has a musty odor.
Soft Drywall
The drywall is most likely wet if it is mushy, flakes away, or indentations appear when you touch it. Mold will most likely grow on wet drywall as well.
Dampness
Walls may temporarily be damp from cooking or taking a shower. However, if they are consistently damp and there isn’t a visible moisture source inside the room, it’s likely that the drywall, insulation, or studs are wet.
Stains
Walls with dark stains typically have moisture inside them, either past or present.
Poor Health
Although mold spores can cause a variety of harmful health effects, not all mold is toxic and not all people are vulnerable to their effects.
Previous Flooding
It’s almost a given that mold is growing in the walls if flood water has come into contact with them.
Is Mold Inside Walls Dangerous?
The degree of toxicity may differ depending on what kind of mold it is. In addition to mold, moisture in your walls can also result in rot because it breeds bacteria. The toxicity level of mold varies depending on the type. To ensure that you are kept safe and are not unintentionally exposed to toxic mold, contact a professional. Call a mold remediation company right away if you think there may be mold in your walls.
How To Get Rid Of Mold On Walls?
Mold on walls is typically simple to remove by yourself, provided that it only affects a small area. Various household items are available for use. Borax, vinegar, baking soda, tea tree oil, bleach, and hydrogen peroxide are some popular, reliable alternatives.
It’s more difficult if your walls have extensive and severe mold growth, though. It might be dangerous for you to remove it yourself. To remove mold from your home safely and effectively, we suggest that you get in touch with a mold removal expert.
In essence, there are two critical steps involved in the removal of mold from walls. You must first manage the moisture levels in your home before eradicating the mold.
Identify The Cause Of The Mold
The first and most crucial step in removing mold from walls is this one. To prevent mold from coming back, you must determine the problem’s root cause and fix it.
This entails eliminating any sources of water damage (such as leaks) that may have contributed to the mold growth and managing moisture levels in your home.
Prepare Your Room And Clean The Walls
Clear the area and then begin to remove the mold from the walls. Affected areas should not have any furniture, fabrics, or electrical equipment left there. After that, protect the floor by covering it with plastic sheets.
Next, clean the affected area with a damp sponge and dishwashing liquid to get rid of any dirt.
We advise you to put on protective gear before cleaning or treating the wall with any product. Wearing a mask, rubber gloves, and safety glasses will shield you from mold exposure. Additionally, while you’re removing the mold, make sure to open all windows and doors.
Remove The Mold
Mold is most likely on the surface if you see a few small patches on painted interior walls. Using common household items, this should be fairly simple to remove. Borax, white vinegar, baking soda, or tea tree oil are a few alternatives.
Does a non-porous (painted or sealed) will only have a small area where mold patches have formed? In that case, we advise you to start by using a natural mold remover.
But what if there is a sizable area where mold has grown? Or is it possible that the mold cannot be sufficiently eliminated by using natural remedies? Use a more potent chemical cleaner if necessary in this situation. This is available from home improvement stores or online.
Mold doesn’t just grow on the surface of walls made of porous materials like cement, concrete, or stone. Inside, it also has a tendency to spread.
Thus, a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and distilled white vinegar is the most efficient remedy if you have a mold problem on a porous (unsealed) wall.
Borax
Pour one gallon of hot water into a container and add one cup of borax. To dissolve the borax, cover the container and shake vigorously. The affected area should be sprayed with the solution after being poured into a spray bottle.
Use a brush to scrub the mold from the wall, then clean it up, let it air dry, and repeat. Rinsing off the solution is not necessary. As long as the mold problem’s root cause has been addressed, the borax will aid in preventing the mold from coming back.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree essential oil has antifungal and antibacterial properties making it a highly effective treatment for getting rid of mold (5). To begin, combine a spray bottle with two cups of water and one teaspoon of tea tree oil. Apply the solution with a sprayer to the affected area, then remove the mold with a clean cloth.
There is no need to rinse because the tea tree oil will kill the mold and keep it from growing back if you leave it on the surface. On painted and wallpapered walls, this technique is advised for removing mold and mildew.
Vinegar And Baking Soda
Using vinegar to kill and prevent mold growth on porous or nonporous walls is a very safe and effective method. White vinegar is proven to kill 82% of mold spores, according to studies. It reportedly penetrates porous materials and kills the mold at the roots (4).
White distilled vinegar shouldn’t be diluted, so add some to a spray bottle. Vinegar should be sprayed onto the wall, then left for an hour. Utilize a sponge and warm water to clean the area after that.
It might be necessary to scrub the mold after cleaning the wall with vinegar. We advise you to prepare a baking soda solution for this.
Mold can be eliminated naturally by using baking soda as a disinfectant. The musty, damp smell brought on by mold is also eliminated, and it deodorizes as well. Finally, it absorbs moisture, which effectively prevents the growth of mold.
One teaspoon of baking soda and two cups of water should be combined in a spray bottle and thoroughly shaken to create a baking soda solution. To get rid of the mold, spray the affected area with the remedy and scrub the surface with a scrub brush or scouring pad.
To remove any remaining mold from the surface, follow that by giving the area a warm water rinse. Finally, reapply the vinegar or baking soda solution to the wall to ensure that all mold has been eliminated.
Hydrogen Peroxide And Vinegar
Hydrogen peroxide is anti-fungal, antiviral, and antibacterial — excellent for killing mold (7). In addition to being safer to use in killing molds than bleach, hydrogen peroxide and distilled white vinegar make a stronger solution that, unlike bleach, doesn’t produce toxic fumes or leave behind toxic residue.
Furthermore, its effervescent qualities make it superior to bleach in terms of killing mold on porous surfaces. Walls that are porous or not can both be cleaned with hydrogen peroxide.
Spray the affected area with undiluted, 3 percent hydrogen peroxide from a spray bottle. After waiting 10 to 15 minutes, scrub the walls with a brush to get rid of the mold.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
The extract from grapefruit seeds is also a potent mold-killing natural substance. The grapefruit’s citric acid attacks and naturally destroys mold. Additionally, it serves as a deodorizer and disinfectant.
By combining 10 drops of grapefruit seed extract with one cup of water, you can make a solution that can be sprayed on surfaces. Spray the solution onto the affected area after thoroughly blending it in the bottle. After a few minutes, remove the mold and solution with a clean cloth.
Longer exposure to the grapefruit seed extract will effectively kill the mold and prevent further growth. In order to keep it from growing back, you might want to repeat this procedure every two to three days.
Bleach
Mold can be effectively removed from non-porous walls using bleach. On porous surfaces, it won’t be able to get through and kill the roots. To test some of the bleach solutions on an unnoticed area of the wall, though, before you start cleaning. This guarantees that it won’t harm the finish.
In order to treat the wall, you must combine one part bleach with three parts water. After waiting for ten minutes, scrub the mold with a brush. Clean the area by rinsing with water and using a clean cloth to dry it.
Tips For Preventing Mold On Walls
Controlling moisture in your home is the best way to stop mold and mildew from growing on your walls. By using a dehumidifier and making sure all of your rooms are well ventilated, you can reduce the humidity in your house.
Mold can grow in your home as a result of condensation. Insulating your pipes, windows, roofs, and exterior walls will help to prevent this, though.
Especially vulnerable to mold and mildew growths are bathrooms and kitchens. To stop spores from growing, make sure that these rooms are cleaned frequently.
Conclusion
You can use a mold test kit to check for mold if you’re unsure whether it’s present in your room. To get rid of mold stains and mold in the walls if the test results are positive, use the techniques described above. As soon as you learn how to remove mold from walls, follow these steps whenever you notice even the smallest mold stains.
Once the mold has been removed, keep it out of the area by regulating the amount of moisture in the space. Mold remediation services are always an option if your issue with mold becomes out of control.