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Most people are oblivious to the growth of mold in their home – usually because they don’t see it. As the saying goes, “out of sight, out of mind.” However, this can be a very bad thing for your home and your family. Mold behind drywall or sheetrock can be dangerous for the structure of the home (deterioration) and your family’s health (breathing problems, memory issues and allergies).

Although you may not see signs of mold behind your drywall or sheetrock does not mean it’s not there, growing and proliferating. If you do see signs of mold behind the wall, you must take important steps to eliminate it!

What Causes Mold To Develop Behind Your Home’s Sheetrock or Drywall?

It may seem a bit odd to have mold develop behind drywall or sheetrock, but it really isn’t. Consider for a moment what is in the walls; you’ve got wiring and plumbing behind the walls. On top of that, you’ve got condensation and high humidity. The walls you do not see are a breeding ground for mold.

For example, condensation takes place when water vapor in the air hits a cold surface, cools off and turns into liquid. This is typically seen on walls that create the home’s perimeter since the walls tend to be cooler than the outdoor air.

However, if your clothes dryer is inside your home, the steam from the wet clothes or hot water steam can increase the home’s humidity levels. If the humidity level stays home in the home for quite some time, you could see mold developing on the walls.

A way to combat the humidity levels in your home is to open doors and windows.

Another typical reason for mold to develop behind drywall or sheetrock is a leaky pipe. For example, a burst water pipe due to frozen pipes that goes unnoticed can lead to mold on the wall. Prolonged leaky pipes can quickly lead to mold growth, especially if it lasts for an extended period of time.

Any room where moisture can build up is susceptible to mold growth – bathroom, Jacuzzi room, basement, etc.

4 Ways To Know Your Drywall Is Moldy

As you see, leaks are not the only way in which mold will grow behind drywall and sheetrock. This is why you must take care great to look for signs of it. Even if you have had no leaks, there are still signs in which can tell you there is a problem in the home. How so?

Stains

Water damage is the primary reason for mold growth. Therefore, any water stains you see could indicate mold presence. If you notice any water stains on a wall, chances are mold is growing behind that wall. Water stains will either be brown or yellow; so if you see these colors, you need to take action.

Discoloration

If you notice any discoloration of your walls, even if you repaint them, it could be that mold has already damaged the wall on the inside and is now showing itself. Mold that is left untreated will continue to damage walls – visibly and not. Mold comes in various colors – from black to brown, to gray to white to green. And, if you’re using vinyl wallpaper, mold may look orange, pink or purple.

Surface Deterioration

When there is mold behind drywall or sheetrock, the appearance of that wall will change. Not just in terms of stains and discoloration but also deterioration. Whether you have paint or wallpaper on the affected wall, it will begin to bubble, peel or crack.

And, if there is an ongoing leak, it will cause the wall to feel mushy. You may notice your walls have warped – bulging or bowing. If you notice this, you may have a big issue with mold growth.

Odors

Mold gives off a musty order, so even if you notice no outward signs of mold, a musty smell may signal a problem. Do a little detective work here and look for the source of the odor. This may sound dumb, but your sense of smell will usually lead to finding the culprit.

How To Address Mold Behind Drywall and Sheetrock

There is no inexpensive way to address mold. While you could take care of the problem yourself, you really shouldn’t! Instead, hire a professional service that is experienced in mold removal. They can ensure that mold is properly treated and reduce the chances of it developing again.

In addition to applying mold treatments, these companies will use HEPA filters and fans to ensure more than adequate ventilation of the home and reducing the chances of the spores spreading.

Now, the cost to eliminate mold differs from one location to another – from one situation to another. Mold confined to one room usually costs hundreds of dollars, but if the problem is widespread, you’re looking at thousands of dollars. This is especially true if the mold has affected the home’s building materials, and replacements are necessary.

Stop Mold Growth Before It Occurs

The surefire way to ensure mold doesn’t grow in your home is to keep the home properly ventilated and aired out. You want to keep the house as dry as possible, especially in bathrooms where a shower can keep moisture in the air and on the walls. When you shower, use a vent fan or leave a window open, so the moisture escapes instead of staying on the ceiling and walls.

It would also be beneficial to use a HEPA filter to reduce the number of mold spores in the air.

Do not wait! If you have any health problems or notice any signs of mold in your home, it’s imperative to hire experts to remedy the problem immediately.