Mold Growing on Drywall in Your Columbus Home

5/16/2017 (Permalink)

Moisture Causes Mold Growth on Walls, Call SERVPRO for Remediation in Your Columbus Property

Dampness Encourages the Proliferation of Mold

Mold on drywall can create plenty of unnecessary structural damage and health effects if it is left untreated, even for a short time. Black mold, though it has gained unwarranted notoriety, is usually associated with this kind of damage. All fungi should be remediated to create a better home environment.
 
Short-term drywall damage can be caused by water, and long-term damage is the result of mold growth in your Columbus home being left to spread and multiply, leaving behind mold damage. When drywall  is exposed to moisture, it shows water stains. After an extended period, the panels can be destroyed. The sandwiched cardboard separates from the gypsum, and the core loses its structural integrity.
 
Drywall which has lost structural integrity begins to sag slowly over time and needs replacing. Wet drywall, with its paper backing, can be an ideal breeding ground for mold. Fungi secrete digestive chemicals onto the organic source to feed, then reabsorbs them along with digestive materials for food. The process is not possible until the materials become damp or wet. Mold can start to grow on drywall in just twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Drying the walls out as fast as possible is the key to a solution which is effective.
 
Sheetrock wicks up water as well, meaning it picks up water even if it has not come into contact with water. Since drywall absorbs water from the air, it is critical to have your drywall evaluated and inspected if you have had any standing water or flooding in your home recently. Rapid water removal reduces the chances of mold growth.
 
Water can wick into drywall from the air or contact as fast as one inch per hour, which means if water sat in your home for just one day, it could absorb into your drywall as much as two feet high, creating a great breeding ground for mold.
 
SERVPRO of South Columbus is standing by always to help you get water and moisture out of your home to prevent mold damage. With moisture meters, thermal hygrometers, and other special tools, they can even detect hidden moisture in your walls to ensure that they dry your home thoroughly in as little time as possible. Just give them a call at (614) 863-1392 anytime, day or night, when you notice wet drywall or the presence of mold.