5 Places Mold Can Hide in Your Home

6/11/2021 (Permalink)

Mold caused by leaking pipes

Five Hidden Places You May Find Mold

Sometimes mold growth is easy to spot, but other times, mold can hide in your Sumner, WA, home. Water or moisture sources that are out of sight, such as a leaking pipe or roof, can cause mold to grow. Here are five hiding places you may find mold.

1. Behind the Walls

Mold can grow unseen in areas such as:

Behind drywall
Beneath wallpaper
Behind paneling

Leaky pipes or poor insulation can cause moisture to collect behind walls, providing an environment for mold growth and leading to moldy drywall or paneling.

2. On the Back of Ceiling Tiles

Porous ceiling tiles can absorb water and dirt, providing the right conditions for mold to grow. Roof leaks or condensation from HVAC ducts can produce moisture. If you see water stains on your ceiling tiles, the chances are that there's mold damage present.

3. On or Behind the Furniture

Poorly insulated walls and high humidity can cause mold on wood furniture or nearby walls. The tight space between the wall and furniture can cause condensation to accumulate, and the wood provides organic material for mold.

4. In the Air Ducts

Moisture can accumulate in air ducts when the air conditioner is set to a low temperature. Warm room air meets the cold air in the ducts, forming condensation on or around the duct. An oversized air conditioning unit can also cause moisture by cooling the space too quickly before dehumidifying the air. A mold remediation specialist is equipped to inspect, clean, and repair moldy air ducts.

5. Around the Pipes

Leaky pipes are not always detected until damage begins. A dripping pipe under a sink or in a dark, undisturbed area of your house can cause moldy drywall or mold on wood areas around the line.
If you suspect mold growth in your Sumner, WA, home, check these areas to see if mold has found a hiding place there.