Water Damage Walls Mold

In addition to the damage that water causes it can encourage the growth of mold on walls and floors where it s visible and in ductwork attics and crawlspaces where you might not notice it.

Water damage walls mold.

Mold growth begins inside wall cavities behind drywall within 24 to 48 hours after water intrusion. If there is a strong musty smell near a certain area of your wall there could be a water leak or mold growth behind it. Drywall forms an excellent media for mold growth because it absorbs moisture that activates mold spores and the paper backing of drywall provides cellulose a food that nourishes. Here are a few of the less obvious drywall water damage issues.

Mold growth normally appears in areas with excess moisture such as bathrooms kitchens. You may also notice peeling paint water stains on walls or ceilings buckled drywall or buckled shelves under your kitchen or bathroom sinks and a musty smell. If you don t see signs of mold but you can smell it it may be hidden in your walls. The key to stopping mold and mildew is controlling dampness.

Leave it out until you have finished cleaning inside. A musty odor is a sign that mold may be present. The smell of mold feels earthy like rotting leaves or decaying wood in a dense damp forest. Put on your ventilator mask and rubber gloves.

Control indoor moisture to prevent mold. When repairing water damaged rooms consider making improvements to help prevent or at least minimize future damage and mold growth. For long term issues like mold caused by attic condensation the mold may have started growing a long time ago. It is best to take action at this time to mitigate the damage and prevent mold growth from occuring.

Weather the water damage is the result of a storm surge or a leaky faucet when water is trapped behind walls or paneling the elements needed for mold growth will most likely be present. A musty smell is a good indicator that mold is growing in your home. The walls and floors will need to be cleaned first. If the water damage inside the walls persists mold will show signs on the surface.

Pull up the carpet and take it outside in the sun. The worst infestations usually occur in damp crawlspaces in attics and walls where water has leaked in from the outside and in basements with poor foundation drainage. Mold on walls and baseboards. Wipe down the walls with a rag and let them dry.

Wall cavities affected by water damage are vulnerable to mold growth which also has a pungent musty odor. The sun kills mold. Next mix 1 cup of chlorine bleach with a bucket of warm water. Signs of mold from water leak include visible mold usually black or gray in color either patchy or streaky and the mold from water leak usually looks slimy.

Mold can cause damage and lead to health problems so deal with it quickly.