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Mold inside your walls is a sure sign of moisture intrusion.
Mold also leads to the deterioration of insulation, studs, and drywall.
Because of this and because of safety concerns, many do-it-yourselfers decide to hire a professional mold remediation company.
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Visible Mold
Mold inside walls often stays within the walls.
Mold can be black, white, gray-green, or gray-brown.
Dampness
Walls might be temporarily damp from the use of a shower or from cooking.
If the drywall is wet, it will most likely be moldy, too.
Stains
Dark stains on walls usually indicate previous or current dampness within the walls.
The longer you wait to remove the mold, the longer mold has to grow.
Common sources includeleaking ceilings, elevated indoorhumidity, indoorcondensation, and outdoor leakage from gutters or drainpipes.
Citing environmental concerns, the EPA’s position on mold biocides is that they are permitted but not recommended.
The EPA makes an exception for areas where immune-compromised individuals live.
The EPA does not ban biocides.
Instead, it recommends that the mold be killed with ventilation and light.
Double-bag the moldy debris in large plastic contractor clean-up bags.
Avoid carrying the bags through the house; drop them out of windows if possible.
Instead, check with your city for transfer stations designated for this pop in of trash.
Tape plastic sheeting on the floor in front of the wall.
If water lines run through the wall,shut off the waterat its main shut-off valve.
Remove Drywall
With the prybar, gently chip into soft, moldy drywall and pull it off.
Immediately place all moldy drywall into large contractor’s bags.
Keep expanding the area until you reach dry, solid drywall that has no mold on it.
Remove Insulation
Carefully pull the insulation away from the staples that attach it to the wall studs.
Roll up moldy insulation and place it in the bags.
Continue until you reach insulation that has no mold on it.
Unless these materials are severely damaged, they can be cleaned and the mold can be encapsulated.
Dry out Area
If the area is wet, leave it open to dry it out.
Directing fans set to low will speed up the drying.
Vacuum Mold
With theHEPA-filtered shop vacuum, thoroughly vacuum all of the mold.
Fully soak the materials but not so much that the fluid drips onto the floor.
Let the area dry out.
No moisture should remain on any of the surfaces.
Encapsulate Mold
With a brush or roller, paint the area with the fungicidal mold encapsulant.
After the first coat has dried, apply a second coat of mold encapsulant.
Close up Walls
Insulate the wall, if necessary.
Tape the seams, apply drywall compound (mud), and sand smooth.
Apply drywall primer, then paint with interior latex paint.
Mold can be very difficult to completely scrub away.
The walls will eventually be closed up with drywall.
Also, the encapsulating coating will cover up much of the visible mold.
Chemicals are not preferred.
Killing mold naturallyis just as effective as killing mold with powerful chemicalsit just takes longer.
Ventilation and light are enough to kill mold.
You’ll need to have the wall open long enough for this method to take effect.
Fungicidal coating did not fully kill the mold.
Fungicidal mold encapsulants are meant to aid, not replace, the core method of killing the mold.
They also help with some limited ongoing mold problems.
When to Call a Professional
How Extensive Is the Mold?
Mold damage up to 10 square feet is manageable by most do-it-yourselfers.
As the size increases, the job becomes exponentially unwieldy.
The EPA recommends that mold patches exceeding 10 square feet be removed by professionals.
What Is Your Schedule?
Mold remediation companies often can remove mold in a matter of days, not weeks.
What Time of Year Is It?
Opening up drywall and removing insulation in the winter is enough to challenge even the most robust HVAC system.
By doing the job rapidly, professionals can limit your home’s exposure to the elements.
What Is the Source of the Moisture?
Is This Part of a Home Sale?
Equally importantly, they want to see an invoice reflecting that the work has been done.
Mold can grow within 24 to 48 hours in the right conditions.
These test tools may not be necessary when you suspect mold is present and may give inconclusive results.
Basic Facts About Mold And Dampness.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Mold and Health.United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Should I use bleach to clean up mold?United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Mold Cleanup in Your Home.
United States Environmental Protection Agency.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
