Check your apartment for hidden mold
You most likely do not suspect that you have hidden mold. Check your apartment for 7 clear signs.
Hidden mold is mold that is not visible on the surface but can actively develop in hard-to-reach areas inside the building. You see perfectly white walls without any visible mold, which makes you confident that it does not exist in your home.
This is the insidiousness of hidden mold. It can hide in the following places:
1. Behind drywall: Mold may exist on the backside of wall panels, often due to moisture penetration through external walls. Recent studies have shown that hidden mold can form in non-obvious ways, for example, in hot weather when air conditioning is used. Without going into the physics of the process, moisture can form on the inside of drywall.
This mold is difficult to find but can cause extensive damage across the entire surface area of the drywall.
2. Under wallpaper or paint: This is when you see perfectly painted walls with no visible signs of mold, but when you remove them, black mold spots are revealed.
3. Inside ventilation systems: Mold can grow on internal surfaces of air ducts and air conditioning systems, especially when moisture accumulates there. Many people mistakenly believe that air conditioners can solve the problem of mold. While they can reduce humidity slightly, they do not impact mold.
4. Behind furniture or inside wardrobes: Low air circulation behind large furniture pieces can create perfect conditions for mold to grow on walls, even though it's not visible.
It is important to avoid placing furniture, including built-in closets, against exterior walls that face outside, as this creates a favorable environment for mold.
5. In attics or basements: These areas tend to be more humid, especially if not properly waterproofed or ventilated. Mold may grow on beams, insulation, or walls.
6. Under floors and carpets: If there has been any water exposure, such as leaks or condensation, mold may hide in these places.
If you are aware of any past water damage in your home, even if it happened years ago, there is a high chance that mold has developed at that location.
7. Condensation in unexpected places: For instance, windows, pipes, or corners of rooms can have condensation, which, if persistent, may lead to mold development.
Why is hidden mold dangerous?
- Difficult to detect: Since hidden mold isn’t visible, its existence may go unnoticed until obvious signs, such as stains or health issues, appear.
- Health impact: Even if you can’t see the mold, its spores can spread through the air, leading to allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory problems, especially in people with weakened immune systems, children, and the elderly.
How to detect hidden mold?
The most important sign is smell. If you sense a musty or damp odor in your house, wardrobe, or wet areas, this could be a key indicator of mold.
For confirmation, a professional inspection will be necessary. Specialists use advanced tools to measure moisture levels inside walls and perform air quality tests for mold spores.
Protect your health and your loved ones by addressing hidden mold in your home promptly.