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Wondering how to deal with mold on walls? The first thing you need to know is whether you should be the one dealing with mold in the first place.
The EPA cautions homeowners to leave mold patches 10 square feet or greater in size to a professional contractor. In the workplace, OSHA guidelines state that small (up to 10 square feet) and mid-sized (10–30 square feet) areas of isolated mold can generally be remediated by maintenance staff. Anything larger requires specialized assessment and handling.
Professionals at ATI Restoration know how to deal with mold on walls. We have helped numerous homeowners, facilities, and businesses rid their property of mold and other environmental hazards.
Visible mold may be black, green, brown, gray, white, or pinkish-red in color. It might take on a fuzzy, velvety, or slimy appearance depending on the moisture level and the type of surface the mold is growing on.
Mold can grow in any building where there’s sufficient moisture and organic matter for it to feed on. Areas where you are most likely to find mold growing on the walls of your property include:
Early identification of mold in these and other areas can help prevent widespread contamination. If your property experiences water damage, it is crucial to have the loss professionally assessed as soon as possible. Mold remediation professionals know how to deal with mold on walls and other areas of the property.
Mold doesn’t always grow where you can see it. In fact, mold contamination behind drywall, in air ducts, and in other inaccessible areas can end up being a big problem if left unchecked.
Although you may not be able to see mold behind drywall, you may notice discoloration, water stains, bulging of the wall, peeling paint, and other signs of water damage and moisture problems. Mold often emits a musty or earthy smell that can also alert you to its presence.
Sometimes the only way to know for sure whether mold has taken up residence behind your drywall is to use sophisticated diagnostic technology. This may include:
If you believe you have mold behind drywall, it is best to consult a professional mold remediation specialist as soon as possible. Knowledgeable experts can test for the presence of moisture and mold behind the walls and provide guidance on restoration and repairs.
Mold on walls will not typically go away on its own. It is important to control indoor temperatures and humidity levels. This will address the underlying issues that lead to mold growth, as well as complement efforts to remove the mold and clean affected surfaces.
Regardless of intervention, it is impossible to completely eliminate mold from your property. Some quantity of mold spores will always be drifting through the air. The key is to make the walls and other surfaces unsuitable for mold to accumulate, as well as take timely action when mold starts to grow.
If the mold is larger than what you can safely handle on your own (10 square feet for homeowners, 10–30 square feet for maintenance workers in commercial properties), the first thing you should do is contact an expert in mold remediation. Professional assessment allows for the identification of the mold species, the extent of contamination, and how to deal with mold on walls effectively.
DIY solutions for mold are typically limited to household cleaning agents. Professionals have more comprehensive and effective methods at their disposal:
Before mold remediation begins, experienced technicians will take steps to prevent the spread of mold spores to uncontaminated areas. Plastic sheeting is the most common method of sealing off areas contaminated with mold. Negative air machines may also be used to “scrub” the air of mold spores and other contaminants.
All non-porous wall surfaces are meticulously cleaned and disinfected using specialized solutions that target and kill mold spores. Techniques like damp wiping and use of a HEPA vacuum help eliminate lingering mold residues.
Drywall or plasterboard, insulation, wallpaper and wall hangings, baseboards, trim, and other wall components may need to be removed if mold contamination is extensive. Professional crews follow all regulations for the safe removal and disposal of materials affected by mold.
Mold needs moisture to survive. Industrial-grade fans, dehumidifiers, and other specialized equipment remove excess moisture and create an unfavorable environment for mold.
Air ducts act as an expressway for mold spores to infiltrate other areas of the property. If the HVAC has been compromised by mold (such as mold growing near an air return vent, mold that has formed inside the wall ductwork, etc.), it is essential to have a professional mold remediation company inspect and clean the ventilation system.
Mold removal professionals can also perform post-remediation verification (PRV) to confirm that the environment inside your home or business has been restored. PRV testing generally consists of a visual inspection, air sampling, surface sampling, and moisture assessment by an industrial hygienist or other qualified professional.
It is possible for mold to come back after cleaning if the underlying moisture issues that caused the mold growth are not addressed. Mold will have the conditions it needs to grow again if water leaks, high humidity, inadequate ventilation, or other issues persist.
The potential for mold to come back after contaminated surfaces have been cleaned illustrates the value of hiring mold remediation specialists. In addition to knowing how to deal with mold on walls, trained experts understand the importance of getting to the bottom of why mold is thriving on the property.
Mold on and/or inside the walls of a home, business, or other facility is a common concern. In collaboration with industrial hygienists and other experts, ATI Restoration can remediate mold and help protect your property from further contamination.
When it comes to letting professionals deal with mold, the results speak for themselves. ATI Restoration has helped homeowners and businesses throughout the continental United States recover from water damage and widespread mold growth. We specialize in both small- and large-scale mold remediation projects.