Causes of Mold Growth on Walls and Solutions for Remediation

7/22/2022 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Carrollton explains three causes of mold growth on walls in the home and what the homeowner can do about it.

The team of certified, experienced, and dedicated professionals at SERVPRO of Carrollton is committed to providing excellent cleanup and restoration services, including mold removal. Mold remediation is important since many instances of property damage involve excessive water and moisture damage. Mold thrives in dark, warm, moist environments where organic matter is available for food. Wood, paper, and natural fibers are ideal food sources for mold, and mold spores can be found growing on drywall, sheetrock, paneling, cabinets, baseboards, ceilings, and walls.

Mold can damage any surface where spores gain a foothold.  Wall studs, support beams, flooring substrate, cabinets, and furniture can suffer from mold damage. Mold causes wood rot, fabric discoloration, and superficial damage to the finish on furniture, doors, and cabinets. Mold growth on ceilings and walls is inevitable because the majority of the surface area in a home involves the walls and ceilings.

What Causes Mold to Grow on Walls?

Mold is everywhere in nature, including in Richardson, TX, homes. If food, water, and warmth are present, so is mold. Reduce the amount of sunlight and minimize or restrict ventilation, and mold will explode in these warm, moist, food-rich areas. The complete removal of mold is impossible. The goal is to control the mold. Control the temperature, moisture, food sources, light, and airflow to minimize mold growth in any structure but especially in the home, which is moisture-laden and rich in food. By the time brown, black, green, and bronze patches appear on the ceiling and walls, the mold growth is out of control.

The proliferation of mold in the home should stir the homeowner to take immediate action to identify the causes of mold growth. Most homeowners understand the close relationship between mold and moisture. On the other hand, few homeowners realize that there are many sources of moisture in a typical home. The good news is that many of these sources can be easily mitigated or prevented.

High Household Humidity

The main cause of mold growth on walls and ceilings in the home is humidity. The humidity can be due to wet, humid weather patterns. A slow-moving tropical depression can stall over a region as the Dallas/Fort Worth area for days pumping in rain and moisture. Bathrooms with tubs and showers are sources of internal humidity. Meal preparation that involves boiling, frying, and sauteing produces large amounts of moisture in the main living areas of the home. Look for mold on walls, ceilings, cabinets, appliances, and the stove hood.

Solutions:

One way to remedy high household humidity is to purchase one or more room dehumidifiers and use them when humidity levels are high. The optimal humidity range in a home is between 30% and 50%. Better quality room dehumidifiers are several hundred dollars from the big box home improvement stores. These units are very effective at keeping humidity levels within safe, comfortable ranges.

When cooking, run the exhaust fan to remove moisture produced by items boiling, frying, or sauteing on the stovetop. When preparing a shrimp boil or similar dish, operate the dehumidifier in tandem with the exhaust fan.

Bathroom moisture can be removed or reduced by turning on the ceiling exhaust fan and opening windows to let fresh, dry air into the room.

Inspect the clothes dryer to ensure the exhaust hose is snugly attached so that none of the warm, moist air is escaping into the home. On laundry day, the washer and dryer can run continuously for hours. Make sure the moisture makes its way outside. Check behind the washer and dryer for mold growth on the walls.

Condensation

The perimeter walls of a home can be cooler than the interior walls when external temperatures are much cooler than the inside of the house. As a result of this temperature variation, condensation may form on the perimeter walls. If the condensation is allowed to continue to occur, it will make the walls a breeding ground for mold.

Solutions:

Inspect the perimeter walls when the outside weather would be cold enough to produce condensation on the walls. Clean the walls during the winter months when condensation is at its peak. Upgrades to the insulation may eliminate the temperature variations that cause the condensation.

Water Leaks

A leak from a drain pipe, toilet, tub, shower, or water supply line provides a consistent supply of water that can damage framing, ceilings, and walls. The walls will show signs of warping, bubbling or peeling paint, and eventually brown, green, black, or bronze splotches. Streaks, stains, and pungent smells send a clear message that mold is a problem.

Solutions:

Regularly inspect walls for water leaks. The problem could stem from any of the sources mentioned above or from a leak in the roof. Upon discovering a water leak, have it immediately repaired. A roof leak may require the services of a professional roofing contractor. Some plumbing leaks may be difficult to trace and repair, and a reputable, competent plumber may have to be called in to resolve the issues.

What to Do in the Event of a Mold Infestation

The best, safest, and quickest course of action in the event of a mold problem is to hire a certified, reputable professional to provide mold remediation services. SERVPRO of Carrollton is able to clean up and repair any water damage associated with the mold. Certified technicians using the latest equipment, advanced moisture detecting technology, industry-standard cleaning techniques, and EPA-approved products remediate the mold. Any damages sustained from the mold can be repaired and restored by the SERVPRO team.

For more information about Richardson, TX, mold removal, email SERVPRO of Carrollton at office@SERVPRO10952.com or call (972) 446-0383.