To check for mold behind a wall after a leak, start with your nose and eyes: a musty smell, spotting near the baseboard, and peeling or bubbling paint. Then check whether the wall is still wet, look inside cabinets and closets that share the wall, and if the signs point to mold, look through a small opening at the wettest spot. Want it checked? Call (413) 603-1274.
Step by step
- Smell. A musty, earthy odor near the wall, strongest low down, is the first clue.
- Look. Spotting on paint or baseboards, stains, peeling, warping.
- Check moisture. A wet wall days after the leak is a mold risk. See how to tell if water is still in your walls.
- Look behind things. Inside the sink cabinet, closets and behind furniture on that wall.
- Look inside. A small opening at the wettest point, or removing an outlet cover after switching off its breaker, shows the back of the drywall and the cavity.
Where mold starts first
- The back side of drywall, where paper faces the wet cavity
- The bottom plate and lower studs, where water collects
- Insulation that stayed wet
- Under flooring next to the wall
If you find it
Do not disturb large patches. Stop the moisture source, keep sensitive people away, and have the area removed with containment so spores do not spread. See mold remediation and is black mold dangerous.
Places people forget to check
- The back of base cabinets, behind the toe kick
- Under the kitchen sink, on the cabinet floor and back wall
- Behind the washer and dryer
- Inside closets that share a wall with a bathroom
- The basement ceiling under a bathroom or kitchen
- Behind furniture pushed against an outside wall
- Under carpet near the wall where water ran
Smell is often first
A musty or earthy smell that is strongest in one spot, especially near the floor, is often the earliest sign of mold behind a wall. Try closing up the room for a few hours, then open the door and smell. If it comes back every time, and the area got wet, it is worth a closer look. Air fresheners hide the smell but do nothing about the cause.
Testing
If you can see mold, testing usually does not change what needs to be done. Testing can help when you smell it but cannot find it, in a dispute, or to confirm an area is clean after removal.
If you rent
If you find mold in your apartment after a leak, take photos, note where and when, and tell the landlord in writing. Mold from a building leak is generally the owner's to address. If it is not dealt with, you can ask the local board of health to inspect. Keep copies of everything you send, and photograph the area again if it spreads. See Massachusetts mold rules.
Questions
How soon after a leak should I check?
Mold can start within 24 to 48 hours on wet materials. If the wall was not dried quickly, check within the first week and again if a smell develops.
Can I seal over mold with paint?
No. Paint does not stop mold growing on a wet material behind it.
Suspect mold? Call now
Call (413) 603-1274 now. Locally owned in Chicopee.