A Leaking Pipe Caused Some Mold Between the Walls

Characteristics of Molds

• Molds multiply through tiny spores. They float in the air and, once they find a moist or damp place, they will thrive and multiply by digesting any organic material. Molds become toxic in areas where moisture and humidity are unusually high. These molds grow where there's poor air movement or ventilation. These toxic molds, more commonly known as black molds or Stachybotrys chartarum, are greenish and slimy in appearance. They produce mycotoxins that can cause severe lung and skin disorders.

Leaking Pipes and Molds

• Leaking pipes do not only lead to renovation or maintenance problems, but they can also cause toxic mold occurrences. Damaged water pipes and pipe leaks result in extreme levels of humidity. Before you know it, molds are silently invading your home through unchecked pipe leaks. Wall crevices easily absorb and retain water leaks from pipes over time. Molds will settle in these areas where they'll multiply and produce uncontrollably.

Hazardous Effects of Toxic Molds in the Walls Caused by Leaking Pipes

• Toxic molds in the walls produce tiny allergens that accumulate and cause harmful as well as fatal health conditions. If left uncontrolled, toxic black mold can be poisonous. Toxic black mold poisoning is often mistaken for cold or flu. These tiny particles invade the immune and respiratory systems and often show symptoms such as nasal or sinus congestion, sneezing, itchy eyes or skin, dizziness, headache, nose bleed, fungal infection and difficulty in concentrating. Toxic molds in the walls can also lead to asthma, which results from severe allergies to molds that can lead to the swelling of the lungs. Patients suffering from asthma find breathing very difficult.

Preventive Measures

• Perform a thorough inspection of potential breeding grounds. Walls affected by leaking pipes top the list of places to look into. Molds usually leave signs where they thrive. Tell-tale signs include wall discoloration or cracked, peeling or uneven paint. Molds thrive where humidity is high. They definitely grow inside damp wall cavities and spaces between walls and floor baseboards. Once you've identified the places, a thorough cleanup is in order. The Department of Energy recommends the use of filtered High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) vacuum to eliminate the presence of these tiny contaminants. In addition, molds often do not thrive in areas with good air circulation. Moving furniture away from walls will allow more air circulation and less presence of moisture. Use of dehumidifiers and exhaust fans can also help decrease humidity and reduce indoor air moisture levels.