Hidden Mold Hiding Mold Invisible Mold Inside Wall Mold Under Floor Mold In Ceiling Mold In Attic Mold In Basement

"I don't SEE any mold!"
Half of the people who call AMI say those very words. But not all mold problems are as obvious as we would like them to be. In fact, the most costly mold related repairs are caused by mold that no one knew was there. Unnoticed, mold can rapidly spread exponentially inside walls, under floors, above ceilings, and deep into heating and air conditioning vents. By the time hidden mold is detected, it can cause thousands of dollars in property damage and pose significant health risks.

If you suspect you have a mold problem, don't wait until you can visually see it. If you smell musty odors or become aware that your property has experienced a flood or plumbing leak in the past, it is a good idea to have a professional mold inspection performed. Prompt action can mean the difference between a repair project costing a few dollars or several thousands of dollars.

Below is an example of how hidden mold in a bathroom can cause damage long before it becomes visible. These pictures were taken on an actual AMI inspection.

For information on how to prevent mold problems see Warning Signs.

More Than What Meets the Eye (AMI Jobsite Photos)

After experiencing several physical symptoms commonly associated with toxic mold exposure, one Escondido, California family called AMI to inspect their one year old upscale home. There was no visible evidence of mold. However, using state-of-the-art moisture detection equipment, the inspector was able to determine that the drywall next to the tub was retaining moisture.
Closer examination revealed that the shower door frame had been caulked with silicone. The property owner said she noticed that the carpet would get wet after showering and assumed that water was leaking under the frame. The actual problem, however, was that the rubber water seal on the bottom of the shower door had come loose and was allowing water to pass through.
Prying back the base board revealed extensive water damage and a significant amount of mold growth on the wall, inside the wall and under the carpet. This was a second floor bathroom and water had seeped down into the kitchen ceiling below. An inner-wall air sample confirmed significant mold growth between the bathroom floor and the kitchen ceiling.
Sampling confirmed that the mold growing on and in the wall was Stachybotrys (see below). An air test revealed significantly elevated spore counts of Stachybotrys, Penicillium and Aspergillus. The family of five spent six weeks in a hotel room while the builder remediated the mold and reconstructed the entire master bath at a total cost of over $30,000.

Eating, relaxing and sleeping in a home full of allergy antagonists like mold, mildew and fungus presents your body with additional challenges which may lead to a worsening of your symptoms. Over 50 molds are considered problematic, including Stachybotrys, more commonly known as "black mold" [Mold Glossary]. Pulmonary hemosiderosis has been linked to toxic mold exposure by the CDC. Mold can grow behind walls and even dead molds can make you sick. Mold can be found in homes, hospitals, schools and office buildings, cars and airplanes and may not be easily noticeable. All parts of the country are affected by mold and areas where moisture or heavy rain prevails, are more susceptible to mold, mildew and fungal growth.

How To Spot Potential Hidden Mold
Most of us already have two effective mold detectors; our eyes and our nose. If a blackish/grayish/greenish discoloration appears, especially if the location is or was damp, it is almost certainly mold. You may not know what type it is or how extensive the problem may be, but you know a mold problem exists and it won't just go away by itself.

Even though mold may not be visually obvious, there are other waning signs to help detect mold. In addition to musty odors, if you find yourself clearing your throat a lot or having cold or flu-like symptoms, it may be due to high mold levels. If you find yourself having pet-like allergies but you don't have a pet, it may be due to high mold levels. If you feel sick in a particular location (such as home or work) but not sick after you leave, it may be due to high mold levels. Unexplained headaches, nausea, burning eyes, nose and throat are also tell-tale signs that high concentrations of mold is in your environment.

Early warning signs of mold are easily overlooked by the public because of a general lack of knowledge about the seriousness of the problem. If you suspect you have a mold problem but you're not sure, contact AMI. A mold specialist will listen to your concerns and help determine the likelihood that mold is a factor.

The main thing is to be pro-active. The most dangerous mold is the mold you can't see. Long before anyone knows it's there, hidden mold can become a significant threat to your property and your health.

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HIDDEN MOLD EXAMPLES:

A persistent small trace of mold in the grout was a symptom of a much larger mold behind tub & shower tiles.