The one thing that ruins the whole aesthetic of your drywall is not that creepy-looking painting or the broken anchor that you forgot to pull out, but the mold that needs to be treated as quickly as possible. If you’re concerned about knowing how to tell if you have mold behind the drywall, you’re at the right place as here in this article, I’ve explained this topic in depth.
If you can smell something musty in your room especially when you open the door after a while or the paint on your drywall is peeling off on a specific spot, it means there’s mold behind the drywall. Other signs are that you can see water stains, discoloration, or visible mold on your drywall.
Further in this article, I’ve given a brief explanation to your question and have covered other related questions as well that you’ll find helpful. So stick around till the end.
What Is Mold And How Does It Get On Your Drywall?
Mold is a type of fungus that grows and flourishes in moist areas. The Mold spores which are responsible for mold growth float in the air and when the wood or any organic material comes in contact with water, they land on it and start spreading within 24 hours.
Moisture is the factor that plays a crucial role in mold growth because mold needs moisture to spread. So if there’s a high level of moisture present in the air, there will be higher chances of mold growth on the organic material objects kept in that environment.
The reason mold grows mostly on organic materials is because organic materials are fibrous, working as food for the mold, and that way the mold thrives and keeps growing. Since the moisture usually traps behind the drywall and that surface is not coated with any protective material, it gives the mold an easy way to settle and grow and slowly deteriorate the drywall sheet.
Another fact that you should know about mold is that it may turn out to be very harmful to your health if you live in an environment for a long time where it is present. Many people are even allergic to mold and tend to fall sick as soon as they come into a moldy environment.
How Do You Tell If Mold Is Behind Your Drywall?
Following are the 5 signs based on which you can tell if mold is behind your drywall:
Musty Odor
This is the most common sign of mold growth. If you can smell a persistent musty odor in your room especially when you open it after a while, it could signal that mold is growing behind your drywall. The mold tends to emit a musty odor and as it keeps growing, the odor keeps getting worse.
Water Stains or Discoloration
If you can spot water stains or discoloration on your drywall, it means there’s moisture behind that spot and ongoing moisture invites the mold. So once you find any such spot, grab a pencil and try to push that spot with its surface end. If it feels shaggy even a bit, it means there’s moisture and the chances are high that there’s mold behind it.
Peeling Wallpaper/Paint
If you have covered your drywall with wallpaper or paint and you find it warping or peeling on a specific area or showing changes in its appearance, it means that the area is damp and holding high-level moisture, giving a clear indication of potential mold growth behind it.
Health Problems
You might not believe it but if you have sudden allergic reactions, headache, frequent sneezing especially when you’re in your room, or any respiratory problem, it could mean that you’re exposed to mold for a long time. In this case, stop using that room for a few days and check for any improvement in your health. If you feel better, it means that your room has mold growing behind the drywall.
Visible Mold
When the mold growth gets to its next level, it becomes visible on the drywall surface. If you can see something green or black color material on your drywall surface, you should know that it’s nothing but the mold that is the result of the high level of moisture in that area.
So these are the 5 signs that tell you that you have mold behind your drywall. If you don’t see any of the signs but suspect that you have mold growing behind your drywall, contact a professional mold inspector and get your drywall checked for mold.
Fun Fact: A moisture meter is a tool that is used by professionals to detect the moisture levels in drywall. Using this tool, you can easily check for moisture level in your drywall and hence find out the spot where the mold is potentially growing.
How Do You Prevent Mold In Your Drywall?
Here are 3 effective ways to prevent mold in your drywall:
Manage Humidity
A high level of humidity or moisture is what invites the mold to grow on organic materials. To prevent moisture build-up in your room, it is recommended by experts to keep the humidity level between 30%-60%. Using a dehumidifier is the best way you can go to keep the humidity levels in your room controlled.
Monitor Water Leaks
Conduct an inspection in your room for water leaks. Examine your exterior walls for any cracks, inspect your windows and doors for any water intrusion signs, and inspect plumbing fixtures for leaks or damage. If you find any water leak source, get it fixed as soon as possible.
Improve Ventilation
Frequently opening the windows and doors for 5-10 minutes in the daytime every day allows the moisture to vanish in the room and thus helps in keeping the room moisture-free. You may also install vents or an exhaust fan for persistent ventilation.
Pro tip: There are mold-resistant drywalls available in the markets that are designed to resist mold growth even when exposed to high levels of humidity or moisture. You can replace your ordinary drywall with this type of drywall if you frequently have to deal with mold.
Conclusion
Mold is a natural thing that usually shows its impact on organic materials like reclaimed wood, cardboard, etc. Signs like musty odor, discoloration, etc. indicate that you have mold behind your drywall. Keeping the humidity level as low as possible in your room and fixing any potential water leaks help prevent mold growth in drywall.
So, this was all about how can you tell if mold is behind your drywall and I hope this article has helped you with your problem. Have a great day ahead!