How to Find Mold Behind Walls

24 Oct How to Find Mold Behind Walls

All homes, no matter the size, are at risk for mold growth. And it is especially common behind walls. Mold is more than a simple aesthetic issue; it can damage your property and put the health of your family at risk. That is why it is essential to find out if you have mold growing behind your walls and throughout your home.

At Pure Maintenance NE, serving Rhode Island and Massachusetts, our local team wants to explain the signs to watch for, indicating that mold might be lurking behind your walls. In this article, we have detailed some common signs that mold is behind your walls. Read on to learn more.

How do I know if there is mold behind my walls?

Have you noticed symptoms of allergies like watery eyes or a dry cough? It could be a sensitivity to mold. The sooner you eliminate it, the quicker you will feel like your old self again. Here are some signs there could be mold behind your walls that you can’t see. 

Scents of must or mildew

Most molds produce odors. Take note if you smell something reminiscent of a basement. It is usually a sign of fungal growth in your home. 

Peeling wallpaper

It is common for mold to grow behind wallpaper. That is especially true of rooms with plenty of humidity, such as the bathroom. If mold is growing behind wallpaper, you’ll notice it cracking, peeling, or bubbling. 

Water damage or stains

If you spot water damage or stains on your walls, it’s a good sign that there is mold growth occurring. Call our team immediately, and we can inspect your property for mold growth. 

Discoloration

Mold often causes discoloration of your walls. Different strains have different colors. If you notice any color that shouldn’t be there, contact Pure Maintenance NE immediately. 

Allergies

You won’t always know that mold is lurking behind your walls. But a sure sign is symptoms of mold allergies. If your symptoms improve every time you leave your home, there is a good chance it is mold causing your issues. Common symptoms of mold allergies include:

• Sore or scratchy throat
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Runny nose
• Congestion
• Breathing difficulties
• Skin irritation

These are just some of the symptoms associated with mold allergies. 

How we test for mold behind walls

If the mold is directly on the wall, no testing is necessary. But if the mold is actually behind the wall, we may need to test to confirm its presence. 

Many people ask us if they can use an at-home test. We don’t recommend it because sometimes at-home tests aren’t accurate, or they don’t test for multiple strains. A professional mold test from Pure Maintenance NE is always the best bet. 

Once we confirm the presence of mold, we can begin the process of removing it. 

How mold is removed from behind walls

You might think mold removal with home cleaners would be an easy process. Unfortunately, DIY mold removal doesn’t work. In fact, it can actually spread the spores around your home, making the infestation worse. To get to the source, you’ll need the help of a professional mold removal team. 

Call Pure Maintenance NE, and we can come to your property as soon as the next day to confirm if mold is behind your walls. If so, we’ll use our innovative dry fog technology to eliminate it at its source. Dry fog is safe to use around your family and pets, and because the particles are so tiny, they get nothing in your home wet. You don’t even need to remove your furniture and belongings from your rooms! Contact us today — we service homes and businesses in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.