Table of Contents
As mentioned above, mold usually appears as a discoloration, stain, or a fuzzy growth on the surface of a wood floor. It can come in a variety of colors such as black, white, green, gray, brown or yellow. Mold usually grows in areas that were once exposed to water, spills or moisture.
How do I know if my wood floor has mold?
If you have a musty smell in your house, you can check to see if the floors are warping. When mold grows under the wood, it can cause the floorboards to warp and twist. If you notice the problem, it means there is mold, and the problem has spread.
How do you treat mold on hardwood floors?
With a simple cleaning solution of dishwashing soap and warm water. Add a teaspoon of soap to a spray bottle filled with water and shake it up. Spray the affected area and use a soft-bristled brush to gently scrub away the mold, sponging up any excess liquid as you clean. Dry the surface completely with a towel.
Is mold on hardwood floors dangerous?
Untreated or water that is left to soak into the wood planks can cause mold growth. It can become a serious health hazard for anyone living in the house or walking around in that environment, especially crawling children, pets and the elderly.
How do I test my floor for mold?
A mildewed surface is often difficult to distinguish from a dirty one. To test for mold and mildew and how to tell if your house has mold, simply dab a few drops of household bleach on the blackened area. If it lightens after one to two minutes, you have mildew. If the area remains dark, you probably have dirt.
Is mold green on wood?
Algae is a slimy, green film that grows on wood in wet, dark conditions. Moss is also green and grows in similar conditions, but is soft and fuzzy to the touch. Mold is a fungus that appears on wood as greenish-black streaks. Untreated, mold spores can pose a health risk to people and pets when inhaled.
What causes black spots on hardwood floors?
They are a result of the chemical reaction between iron, water, and wood tannins. These stains may appear when remnants of abrasive minerals were left on the hardwood before the water-based finish was applied. Tannic Acid Discoloration – Tannic acid is a specific type of tannin found in trees.
How do you check for mold under hardwood floors?
What Are The Signs Of Mold Under Hardwood Floors? Cupping – when there is elevated moisture, individual boards will start to push out around the edges and be higher than the center. Crowning – if there is more moisture in the center of the hardwood floor than the edge, the center may rise.
Why are my wood floors turning black?
Mold Growth One of the main reasons for wood floors turning black is mold infestation. Black mold growth on wooden surfaces is usually encouraged by the presence of moisture. Water that pools up on the surface of your hardwood flooring, and is not immediately dried up, will encourage the growth of mold fungi.
What does harmless black mold look like?
Growth Spots of Varying Colors When searching for black mold, look for circular-shaped spots that are black, dark green or dark brown. Some black mold can also take on shades of orange or have flecks of white within it. Most of the time, black mold has a slightly furry appearance.
Will hardwood floors dry out?
It can take up to several weeks for wood flooring to completely dry. Also, the humidity in the room and the amount of water that was present on the floor can prolong the process. So leave the fans and dehumidifier running until the moisture test shows that no water remains in the wood.
What are symptoms of mold exposure?
The most common symptoms of mold exposure include: Coughing. Postnasal drip. Sneezing. Dry, scaly skin. Itchy eyes, nose, or throat. Nasal congestion.
How do I know if my subfloor has mold?
Even if you have access to professional moisture detection meters, subfloor mold can be difficult to discover. Perhaps the easiest means of detecting a subfloor mold problem are seeing discoloration on vinyl flooring, warping or distortion in areas of flooring, or the presence of malodors.
What kills mold on floors?
A bleach solution also works to kill mold. Mix one cup of bleach in a gallon of water, apply to the surface and don’t rinse. Mix a 50/50 solution of ammonia and water. Spray on the surface, wait two to three hours, then rinse.
Is there a device that detects mold?
Yes, it’s called the “Informant or the Informant Plus Black Mold & Fungal Allergen Detection Test Kit”. These devices developed and manufactured by Advnt Biotechnologies, are simple-to-use tests that detects very specific species of mold in 15 minutes or less.
What does green mold look like on wood?
Splotches of varying hues of green and green-grey in darkened, damp recesses are a certain indication of green mold. Green mold also commonly grows alongside molds of varying types, like black or pink mold. Wood is a primary target for mold. Wooden floors, ceiling beams, and walls can host green mold colonies.
Is mold green or black?
While most mold growth is often black, grey, or greenish, it can be brown, purple, orange, pink, yellow, red, white, or even a combination of colors. The color of mold can be influenced by food source and humidity level, even light.
