In most cases indoor mold growth is not obvious. Some common hidden surfaces where you might find mold growth are the back side of dry wall, wallpaper or paneling, the top of ceiling tiles, the underside of carpets and pads, etc. Usually the growth of mold in your home follows some kind of water/ flood event. Moisture that has not been properly dried from between walls, flooring, or other surfaces is usually the culprit. Investigating for hidden mold problems can be difficult and requires caution since during the investigation itself potential sites of mold growth can be disturbed. It is always important to make sure to use personal protective equipment or consult an environmental professional for help (e.g., an industrial hygienist or indoor air quality consultant). Mold spores are easily released into the air when moldy material is dried out using air movers. This is why it is so important that a containment barrier is built where the mold removal can be performed. Once moldy material has been removed, the contained area should be placed under negative pressure ventilation to remove all potentially dangerous air. Mold counts are typically 10 to 1000 times higher than background levels during the cleaning of mold damaged materials and so this is why it is so crucial that the proper steps to protect your health during cleanup should be taken.
