“Is there hidden mold behind my wall?”
It’s a very common question we get from homeowners. I once had a customer who was certain there was mold behind a wall, even though the home inspector’s moisture meter said it was dry. It turns out the inspector was wrong, and she was right.
If you’re wondering about your own home, there are three common ways to determine if there’s mold behind a wall.
First is a visual inspection.
If a wall has visible mold or obvious signs of water damage, you can be pretty certain there’s growth on the backside of that wall as well. Another approach is to carefully drill a small hole and use a borescope to look inside the wall cavity. When doing this, you must take proper precautions. Cutting into a wall can release dust from mold, asbestos, or lead-based paint, and these particles can float in the air for hours.
The second method is to get professional air sampling or testing done.
This involves taking an air sample from inside the wall, which is then sent to a lab to identify if mold spores are present and what type they are. This process can get pricey, especially for a large area, and it isn’t always necessary. In my opinion, you should always get a professional’s opinion on your specific situation before spending money on mold testing.
The third way is using inference.
If you know that a wall has been wet for an extended period, it’s reasonable to infer that mold or bacteria growth is likely present. You can also use an invasive moisture meter with the proper accessories to check the moisture levels within the building materials, not just on the surface. This data, combined with other details about the home, can help you determine the likelihood of hidden mold.
Mold often grows on the paper backing of drywall. In a humid climate like Houston, the backside of the drywall is a prime location for condensation to form as outdoor air comes in and is cooled by the air conditioning. For this reason, you’re more likely to have mold on the backside of the drywall than on the painted side you see in your living room. You can also check the humidity of the air inside the wall by drilling a hole and using a probe, but this is not the best place to start.
Ultimately, any of these methods that result in a delay can be a problem. Water damage will continue to get worse, and mold can get out of hand very quickly once it starts to grow. It’s critical to act fast to control the situation and minimize the chances of spores getting thrown into the air and spreading around your house.
This brings us to the elephant in the room: where is the water coming from?
You shouldn’t have mold in your walls if everything is dry and operating correctly. Has the leak been identified and corrected? Are you moving quickly enough to mitigate the damage while you figure out your path forward? While mold testing can be a great idea in some complicated situations, it’s not always necessary. This can be a tricky issue, and in my opinion, it’s one that should be handled by a professional.
If you’re in Houston and would like help with water damage restoration or mold remediation, contact us below!