If you don't replace water-damaged, moldy drywall, it could end up compromising the structure of your home. It's also a health hazard, and in some cases, the only way to get rid of toxic black mold on drywall is to remove the affected panels completely.
The good news is that if you kill the mold right away, you can usually save the drywall. If the mold has been lingering there for awhile, you might need to replace the contaminated section.
If you find mold on your drywall, you'll most likely need to get it replaced. Mold on drywall can indicate a deeper problem in the stud space behind your wall since it can penetrate the surface. In this case, you'll need to cut it out and replace the drywall in the affected and surrounding areas.
Mix one part bleach with three parts water in a bucket. Using a scrub brush or heavy-duty sponge, vigorously scrub the mold-affected wall with the bleach/water solution until the mold spots have disappeared.
And while a small amount generally won't make you sick, it's important to get rid of mold quickly. “If left untreated, mold can spread to other household items and cause health problems for family members," says Carolyn Forté, executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab.
These telltale signs should have you looking for another home fast: The house fails all inspections because of mold growth, especially if there are foundation issues. The seller doesn't have the money to cover the cost of mold remediation and removal or doesn't want to spend the money fixing it.
Exposure to a large number of mold spores may cause allergic symptoms such as watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, itching, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, headache, and fatigue. Repeated exposure to mold can increase a person's sensitivity, causing more severe allergic reactions.
Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all. Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin.
The paper face on a damp sheet of drywall can be the perfect food source for a spore to dig into. Before long, the mold can multiply and spread across the entire wall and into the wall cavity, feeding on wood framing and flooring.
If you think there's mold in your walls, get on your hands and knees and smell the electrical outlets. This might sound silly, but it may help you sense mold if it's growing within walls. Outlets have better access to the area behind the walls. Thus, smelling them can help identify the mold problem.
When searching for black mold, look for circular-shaped spots that are black, dark green or dark brown. Some black mold can also take on shades of orange or have flecks of white within it. Most of the time, black mold has a slightly furry appearance.
In short, yes. Exposure to black mold can be harmful in the long term, particularly in people with respiratory conditions and other risk factors. Black mold can be one of several different species of fungus, including Stachybotrys chartarum.
Black mold can cause health problems, so it is not advisable to live in a house with black mold. If you must stay in your house while black mold is being removed, make sure to seal off any areas where black mold is present and avoid coming into contact with it.
Black mold begins to form and multiply within 12–24 hours when the conditions are right. If you've experienced water damage, be sure to take action immediately to dry and dehumidify the area to prevent spores from taking hold.
mildew and mold will develop within 24-48 hours of water exposure. Even worse, it will continue to grow until steps are taken to eliminate the source of moisture, and effectively deal with the mold problem. Use the diagram on the facing page to assess the extent of mold in your home.
Covering mold with paint is a waste of resources because the mold will continue to thrive and grow underneath. Eventually, the paint will bubble and peel off, and the mold will be exposed once again. Mold and mildew are an indication of potential moisture issues that need to be remediated before painting the surface.
Mold generally looks slimy or fuzzy, tends to have a raised texture, and can come in a rainbow of colors, including deep green and black. Mildew is powdery, looks white or gray, always appears flat, and grows on surfaces.
Perfectly healthy individuals with no history of respiratory issues have been reported to suffer prolonged coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing. This combined with a weakened immune system that long-term mould exposure can cause may lead to even worse conditions like bronchitis.
Wherever you are in the home, mould on walls is a common problem. Look for black and grey splotches. Early warning signs of potential mould growth are damp spots anywhere on walls. In the living room, mould growth will be bad in areas of poor ventilation.
Mold stays “dormant” in the air or on surfaces even when there's no excess moisture to help it grow. If the humidity in a room increases, mold will start growing in patches on walls, clothes, and more. So, to answer your question, dehumidifiers do NOT kill mold, but they do prevent it by reducing humidity.
Clothes and shoes in damp closets can become stained and start to fall apart. The longer that mold grows, the more damage it can cause. The most important thing you can do is get rid of mold and dampness as quickly and safely as possible. Mold problems will not go away unless moisture problems are fixed.
Mold can grow on or fill in the empty spaces and crevices of porous materials, so the mold may be difficult or impossible to remove completely. Avoid exposing yourself or others to mold.