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Mold is one of the most dangerous elements that can invade your home; it’s dangerous most of all because we often don’t realize it’s there until both we and our homes have been affected by it. One of the locations in your home where it thrives most is on insulation, including insulation paper.

The first step to learning how to identify, prevent, and remediate mold in insulation is realizing what causes it. Most molds break down and feed off of plant and animal matter in the environment. It’s because of this that anywhere with enough moisture is the perfect place for them to make a home; they’re spores grow in just 24-48 hours.

Where Does Mold Commonly Grow?

One of the most common places you will find it is in attic insulation, as attics can trap moisture making them perfect for mold to breed and reside. In addition, the insulation holds organic materials as well as a cover where the mold can thrive both well-fed and in darkness.

A leaking pipe near drywall is also a sure way to grow mold on insulation behind drywall. The pipe leaks, forming a moist, dark, and cool environment – the perfect place for mold to breed.

Common Types of Mold

Though there are many types of mold, the one you’ll most commonly find in your property is black mold, which is often Stachybotrys chartarum. This kind of mold is extremely toxic to your health, so it should be remediated as soon as possible. It’s dangerous to both humans and pets, ranging from neurological problems to respiratory problems.

Health Issues

Neurological symptoms include confusion, shortened attention span, difficulty concentrating, and tiredness. Respiratory issues will show themselves through difficulty breathing, coughing, sore throat, wheezing, nose bleeds, and a runny nose. Vision issues include eye inflammation, red or bloodshot eyes, and blurry vision. Circulatory symptoms are low blood pressure, blood clotting issues, and irregular heartbeat; immune and reproductive symptoms include infertility, recurrent infections, and miscarriage, and, lastly, skin symptoms show up through skin irritations, blisters, itchiness, and rashes.
If you notice any of these symptoms, call us right away. Letting it continue could be fatally devastating. In addition, black mold will eat away at your attic, deteriorating them, so the risk to your property could be lethal.

Mold Detection

So, how can you detect mold in your home? To be honest, it’s not easy, especially if your wallpaper is thick and dark; wallpaper is extremely skilled at hiding mold. The easiest way to notice mold in your home is by its smell, usually an earthy odor. Another way is to look for any discoloration or slimy patches in your wallpaper, but this is also harder to do on dark wallpaper. Warping of the wall indicates moisture damage which is almost a sure sign that mold has taken up residence as well.
The best way to really know whether or not there is mold on your property is to use a mold testing kit. It helps you find mold that’s nearly impossibly to locate on your own.

How to Keep Mold from Spreading

Another action you’ll want to take once you’ve discovered mold is to keep it from growing and spreading further. Here are steps to prevent it from spreading:

• Contain the area using polyurethane sheeting, and wear protective gear to prevent the spores from spreading and causing health issues.
• Remove the wallpaper from the affected rooms in a safe and effective manner, starting with small sections.
• Spray the wallpaper with a stripping solution, and begin peeling it off little by little.
• Remove affected areas of the wall, and dispose of them carefully
• Scrub the walls with a mold spray, even the areas where you don’t visibly see mold growing; mold spores can be sneakily small.
• Allow the walls to dry completely using a fan and proper ventilation

Insulation Mold Removal and Remediation

Once you’ve discovered it, you’ll want to remediate it. Generally speaking, we recommend completely removing and replacing the mold infested insulation and any other contaminated building materials that have are in that area. In addition to that, the moisture issues should be solved and HEPA filters should be ran to help absorb mold spores.

Though it is possible to do this on your own, we highly recommend hiring a professional as it is a dangerous process, and the mold will only grow back if you don’t remove it properly. A professional mold removal company will know how to remove all of the mold in the safest and most effective manner. If you’ve discovered mold in your home – or even detect that it’s there – call the number on our website today to get a free estimate from anywhere in the USA!

Insulation Mold Removal and Remediation Cost

If this is you, I’m sure you’re uneasily wondering, “How big of a dent is this going to put in my bank account?” Well, the cost of hiring a professional really depends on how big and how bad your mold infestation is. On average, it will cost anywhere from $400 – $4000 to completely eradicate the mold. However, we offer our estimates for free, so call today to speak with a mold remediation professional in your area for free!

How to Prevent Mold

Finally, how can you prevent mold from invading your home? The key is keeping wallpapered areas dry. For example, when you shower, keep a window open and use a fan to vent the room.

You can also find many tons of sprays and coatings that make your insulation resistant to water damage and mold growth. And, of course, make it a habit to regularly monitor any moisture in your home with a moisture meter.