Mold thrives under humid conditions which is why water leaks from leaking water pipelines often contribute to the growth and spread of mold.
Water leak inside wall mold.
You can detect.
The actual spores that grow into mold are easily brought into any home or building by air or by attaching themselves to a person s clothes shoes older furniture pets and more.
The key to stopping mold and mildew is controlling dampness.
Long term leaks can cause structural damage within your walls and can also lead to serious mold problems in the walls.
Therefore if the unit s walls or ceiling are water or mold damaged it is the condominium s duty and obligation to replace the drywall.
Accordingly in most cases when water damage is sustained as a result of a flood windstorm roof or window failure or even a leak emanating from an upstairs unit the roof or an exterior wall.
Then patch the wall sand prime and paint.
Signs of mold from water leak include visible mold usually black or gray in color either patchy or streaky and the mold from water leak usually looks slimy.
If water has been leaking inside the wall for a while which is usually the case since water leaks in walls usually aren t apparent for a while a large area of drywall and.
You may also notice peeling paint water stains on walls or ceilings buckled drywall or buckled shelves under your kitchen or bathroom sinks and a musty smell.
Dealing with water leak in wall.
Other water problems like leaking pipes may also trap moisture inside your walls.
Typically the condo unit owner is responsible for the finished interior surface or the covering of the drywall however the condominium is responsible for the drywall itself.
If mold appears on your walls ceilings or baseboards especially in an area that is not near any plumbing fixtures it is very likely that there is a source of moisture behind the walls.
Drywall needs to be removed in order to get to the leak to repair it.
The worst infestations usually occur in damp crawlspaces in attics and walls where water has leaked in from the outside and in basements with poor foundation drainage.
If water reached drywall the best practice is to cut it one foot above the water line.
Be aware of signs that drywalls are moist such as.
Water from a leak within the walls will get absorbed in the drywall and sheetrock which will cause a noticeable stain.
While many water leaks are caused by defective plumbing leaks can also come from rainwater draining down inside the walls or from a cracked and leaky foundation.
Even in these cases where leaks are visible moisture can get inside walls providing mold a place to grow.
They would cut the wall open determine the exact location of the leak and replace the damaged sections.