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[Click
on image for larger picture]
Photo 5: Mold growth behind
wallpaper |
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In some cases, indoor
mold growth may not be obvious. It is possible that mold may
be growing on hidden surfaces, such as the back side of dry
wall, wallpaper, or paneling, the top of ceiling tiles, the
underside of carpets and pads, etc. Possible locations of hidden
mold can include pipe chases and utility tunnels (with leaking
or condensing pipes), walls behind furniture (where condensation
forms), condensate drain pans inside air handling units, porous
thermal or acoustic liners inside ductwork, or roof materials
above ceiling tiles (due to roof leaks or insufficient insulation).
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building materials, such as dry wall with vinyl wallpaper over
it or wood paneling, may act as vapor barriers, trapping
moisture underneath their surfaces and thereby providing a moist
environment where mold can grow. You may suspect hidden mold if
a building smells moldy, but you cannot see the source, or if
you know there has been water damage and building occupants are
reporting health problems. Investigating hidden mold problems
may be difficult and will require caution when the investigation
involves disturbing potential sites of mold growth—make sure
to use personal protective equipment (PPE). For example, removal
of wallpaper can lead to a massive release of spores from mold
growing on the underside of the paper. If you believe that you
may have a hidden mold problem, you may want to consider hiring
an experienced professional. If you discover hidden mold, you
should revise your remediation plan to account for the total area
affected by mold growth.
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