Subfloor mold often shows up as dark spots or patches under your floors. You might find it under carpets, vinyl, or laminate. The mold can look like black, green, or white marks on plywood or OSB, which are common in homes since the 1950s.
Visible Signs
Look for: Discoloration: Patches of yellow, green, or black can signal mold growth. Warping: Uneven or bulging floorboards suggest moisture buildup, a breeding ground for mold.
If the mold has penetrated deeply or the subfloor is significantly damaged, you might need to replace the affected sections. It's essential to ensure that the area is thoroughly dried and treated before laying down new flooring to prevent future mold issues.
Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely. Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible. Dry all items completely. Absorbent or porous materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet, may have to be thrown away if they become moldy.
Subfloor Cost per Square Foot
Subfloor replacement typically costs about $3 to $10 per square foot. This range can vary based on labor costs, which will add $25 to $30 per hour, and the type of subflooring you choose.
Homeowners insurance doesn't usually cover mold damage or removal unless it's the result of a covered peril. If the mold in your residence was caused by something sudden or accidental, such as a bursting pipe or some other covered incident on your policy, you may be protected.
Your floors shift or bounce when you walk on them.
If your floors begin to feel spongy, springy or bouncy, or if you notice the floorboards around you shifting when you walk on them, it could mean that it's time to replace your subfloor.
Borax is highly recommended as a mold remediation product.
Black mold tends to have a strong, musty smell, and of course, it displays a trademark black color. Mold must have a water source for growth, so any damp, humid areas of the home are often susceptible and places to search for large mold infestations. The real issue is that mold can hide in dark and small places.
Given the proper conditions, mold will start to germinate and grow as early as 24 hours after encountering the moisture source. In 3 to 12 days, the mold spores will colonize. In 18-21 days, the mold can become visible. In general, the longer that moisture is present, the greater the chance for mold to grow and spread.
Treat exposed molded subflooring with a mixture of 1 cup of borax and 1 gallon of water or an EPA-registered mold removal product. Spray the solution on the moldy subfloor. You can also soak affected subflooring with a brush broom. Wait 10 minutes, scrub the area, and repeat the process two more times.
Signs may include loose flooring pieces or a floor that is undulating and uneven in areas. Wet or water-damaged subfloors that are structurally unstable can cause long-term problems with your home, and simply replacing the wood floor on top will not fix the problem.
Most mold removal professionals charge around $10 to $25 per square foot. So, if you're removing mold from a 100-square-foot area, you can expect to pay around $1,000 to $2,500. But factors like where the growth is and the mold type can affect how much it costs to remove it.
The two most common methods used to identify a mold problem are mold test kits or air testing sensors. These kits include the necessary air test devices, chemical strips, or Petri dishes and are available at department stores or online. They'll also come with an instruction manual for any brand-specific guidelines.
Dwelling coverage, on your condo or homeowners policy, may pay to repair or replace your floors and carpet if they're damaged by a covered peril. For instance, if your home's floors are damaged in a fire, your home insurance may pay for new flooring, up to your policy's limits and minus your deductible.
Handyman can clean small areas of mold for you, set up dehumidifiers, and replace drywall that was removed during larger remediation cleanups. Want to have a professional help beat mold in your home?
You Can Feel the Floors Move Beneath Your Feet
If your floor feels bouncy, springy, or spongy, that's a sign of a problem with your subfloor. As fun as a bouncy house is, if you're feeling a bit like you're in one on your wood floor, it's time for the subfloor to be replaced.
If the wood has been wet or damp for less than 48 hours, it can generally be cleaned and disinfected of mold. But if it's been wet for longer than 48 hours or there's already a significant amount of visible mold growth present, then the wood should be removed and discarded using safe work practices.
Hydrogen peroxide, commonly used to disinfect wounds, is active against a wide variety of micro-organisms including mold. It acts by releasing oxygen at a rapid rate, which kills mold by oxidizing the surface and breaking down proteins and DNA.
They have vast knowledge and experience in removing mold from homes and can track the source of moisture and fix the issue to stop excess moisture from building up in your home. You should also call a mold remediation specialist if you have tried to take care of the problem yourself, but mold keeps coming back.
Mold, on the other hand, is alive and can reproduce. Unlike dust, simply wiping it away doesn't solve the problem; mold spores can linger and regrow.