Hidden Mold Growth

Mold is exceptionally good at growing in dark and hidden areas. Some examples of this include the following:

• The back side of drywall
• The back side of wallpaper
• The back side of paneling
• The top side of ceiling tiles
• The underside of carpets
• The underside of padding
• Damp areas behind walls
• In crawl spaces
• Inside pipe chases
• Inside utility tunnels
• On acoustic liners in ventilation ducts
• On roofing materials

While carpets can be sanitized and deodorized, carpet padding is at a higher risk for mold growth. Carpet padding acts like a sponge - it can absorb a lot of water, but it is difficult to get padding fully dry.

• Bathrooms
• Laundry rooms
• Utility rooms
• Kitchens
• Basements

In commercial buildings, schools, and other large buildings, touring the building with maintenance or other personnel can be beneficial. Some questions to ask that might help you locate a source of hidden mold include the following:

• Has there been a water leak?
• How long was moisture present in the area?
• Do you have any crawl spaces?
• Have you noticed any musty or moldy smells in the building? Where?
• Has the building's air system been recently inspected?

To learn more about Mold visit our Mold Abatement, Remediation & Removal Online Training web page.