Extensive hidden mold growth can potentially go unnoticed for who knows how long. The nature of mold growth allows it to grow virtually anywhere. Mold is just waiting to feast on all the delicious cellulose-based building materials (wood, drywall, wallpaper, etc) and other organic matter through your South Jersey property. Allow mold spores the opportunity, and mold will thrive and spread.
In addition to a food source, mold just needs temperatures of 70 degrees Fahrenheit or higher (most indoor environments) and an adequate water source. It is estimated that over 250,000 mold spores can fit on the head of a pin. At that small of a size, mold spores can settle into all kinds of inconspicuous places in your New Jersey property. As a result, sometimes mold spores end up landing on hidden surfaces and begin to germinate and spread without notice. There are all kinds of hidden surfaces throughout your home or business that could be the ideal breeding ground for mold if there is an adequate moisture source.
How to Find Hidden Mold in Your South Jersey Home
The two major indicators of mold are visual signs and musty odors. Visual signs of mold growth can be rather easy to spot and can usually be a clue as to where the moisture source could be. Even so, some mold growth can still be missed. While a visual indicator of potential mold growth is useful evidence in establishing if there is indoor mold growth, looks can be deceiving. Because mold can grow exponentially and spread very rapidly, there can be more mold growth beyond what can be seen at the surface.
If you see visual signs of mold growth, do not make the mistake of assuming that all you can see is all that is there. Be sure to check all surrounding areas and adjacent rooms. Mold roots can exist deep within your porous building materials, and growth and extend into hidden spaces like wall voids, ceiling voids, behind wall paper and under carpet. If you suspect that there is more mold than you can see, call a professional to conduct a mold assessment for mold hidden in your New Jersey home.
Common Hot Spots For Hidden Mold Growth
- Inside wall voids
- Above ceiling tiles
- Under carpet
- Under floorboards
- Behind wallpaper
- Behind drywall
- In and around duct work
- On walls hidden behind furniture
In some cases, there are no visual signs indicating mold growth at all. However, mold tends to release a musty odor, so sometimes New Jersey property owners report musty odors that they cannot identify. A good start in determining the source of the musty odor is to identify any areas of moisture concern. This includes: leaks, floods, seepage, humidity, condensation, etc.
If you smell musty odors from an area with a history of moisture problems, call a mold removal professional in South Jersey. Even if there are no visual signs of mold, there could be hidden water damage and hidden mold damage that should be handled by a trained professional.
When dealing with hidden mold, it is best to exercise caution as to not agitate mold spores and potentially worsening a situation. If hidden mold is growing in an area that is typically inaccessible, accessing it (ie: peeling up wallpaper, cutting out drywall, ripping up carpet, etc.) may risk cross contamination and allow the mold to spread. Disrupted mold spores can become airborne. Airborne mold spores can land on and contaminate previously clean, unaffected surfaces. More importantly, humans can come in contact with airborne mold spores and get sick.
A mold professional will have the necessary training and tools to identify mold growth in a non-invasive way. If no visual signs can be found, a professional can complete air quality testing to determine if there is an elevated spore count in the air. After a thorough assessment of the property and the areas of concern, an expert can prescribe an appropriate scope of work for mold remediation in your NJ property, if professional remediation is necessary.
Mold can also be hidden in places that are perfectly accessible, but not necessarily checked regularly. This includes areas of the property that tend to go unopened and unoccupied for extended periods of time.
Commonly Neglect Areas of Mold in New Jersey Homes
- Basements,
- Crawlspaces
- Attics
These areas of South Jersey homes also tend to suffer from poor ventilation and air circulation. If neglected, mold can unknowingly thrive in these environments. Depending on the nature of the mold development, the mold can spread and permeate throughout the common living spaces and disrupt healthy indoor air qualities. You should make it a habit to check for potential moisture concerns in ALL areas of the property. New Jersey homeowners can play a key role in attic mold prevention, basement mold prevention and crawl space mold prevention.
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.“
To prevent mold development in your South Jersey home be vigilant and take time to practice moisture control throughout the property. Even in unused spaces (attics, basements, crawlspaces), proper ventilation and adequate air circulation throughout the property should be a priority. Take time to pay attention to any indoor moisture concerns. Whenever possible, it is important to take actions that can reduce the indoor humidity in your NJ home. If there are is any water intrusion, resolve it right away and implement preventative strategies to prevent future water intrusion. As with anything, prevention is key with mold growth. If there seems to be signs of mold growth, visual signs or musty odor, call a professional. Getting a proper assessment from an expert early on can reduce chances of a costly remediation.
