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Myth #1: Mold Is Always Visible Mold is stealthy. It can hide in the smallest of places including underneath your stucco. The only way you’d be able to see this mold is by removing the stucco entirely. If the mold continues to grow and get worse, you will notice dark spots or discoloration on your stucco walls.
How do you tell if mold is growing behind walls?
Mold gives off a musty odor. It is similar to an earthy smell that you would find in a damp forest. If you get down and smell the electrical outlets, then you will be able to more easily sniff out whether there is mold growth behind your walls. Outlets have good access to the space behind the walls in your home.
Does mold grow in stucco?
Because of stucco’s non-absorbent surface, when mold grows on stucco it will generally grow directly on the surface. There must be two important factors involved for the mold to be able to grow, these are water, and organic materials, which feed the mold.
What happens if water gets behind stucco?
Water leakage is a common issue with stucco in areas where seasonal rain is the norm. If water gets behind stucco it will soften the areas it comes in contact with, eventually causing the stucco to break away and fall off in sheets.
What does mold look like on stucco?
Mold on exterior stucco looks pretty much like mold on anything else. It can present as green, dark brown or black patches and streaks, or fuzzy-looking stains. Check around your gutters, around windows and doors, and along the base of your walls.
Is there a meter to detect mold?
For home repairs, building inspections or simple safety checks, moisture meters are incredibly powerful and accurate instruments for detecting moisture. They can reveal potential mold risks to property owners before a minor problem turns into a significant safety hazard.
How can I test myself for mold?
A quick test for mold can be done when you dip a swab in diluted bleach (1 part bleach, 16 parts water) and dab it on the wall. If the spot quickly lightens (or keeps coming back after cleaning), assume it’s mold.
How do you test for stucco moisture?
Exterior probe testing: This method includes drilling small holes in the stucco at specific points, then using a moisture probe inside the wall to check for water content. This is thus far the most reliable way to test for moisture and has stood the test of time.
How do you remove mold from stucco?
You can remove mildew from stucco using a mixture of equal parts water and bleach. You can also mix bleach with a concentrated cleaner or use a combination of Borax, dish soap, and warm water.
What does water damage look like on stucco?
Damp looking stucco — Wet stucco after the rain is actually normal. Cracks and bubbles along the bottom edge of the wall — Resulting from a poor drainage system, water leaking through stucco walls shows up along the bottom edge. If you see dense cracks or odd bubbles, you’re looking at the signs of stucco damage.
How do you check for stucco problems?
6 Signs Your Stucco is Damaged Stucco Cracks. While a single hairline crack may not be a bad omen, numerous cracks could be more than an aesthetic issue. Stucco Stains. Stucco Moss. Stucco Crumbles. Stucco Indentations or Soft Spots. Impact Damage.
Can you pressure wash stucco?
Stucco is a great alternative to your standard siding, brick or stone walls. Unfortunately, the textured surface of stucco is notorious for accumulating dust and dirt over time. Luckily, the power of a pressure washer can blast the stains away and make your walls look new again.
Why does stucco get moldy?
Mold can become an issue with stucco when it has a chance to grow from water getting behind your siding. Moisture usually gets behind your stucco around the windows, doors, and other structural joints, like where your roof joins with your house.
Why is my stucco turning black?
The black stains you see could be an accumulation of the dead, dark-colored cells of the hardy algae Gloeocapsa magma, which feeds on the calcium carbonate in the unpainted stucco mixture. But it’s easy to remove the black stains — whether they’re mold, mildew or algae — with oxygen bleach.
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.
At what moisture level will mold grow?
Humidity levels typically need to be at 55% or higher before mold begins to grow. Humidity mold can be controlled in your home through proper ventilation, which can reduce the likelihood of mold presence, and using a dehumidifier.
Are home mold test kits accurate?
– Do-it-yourself mold test kits often cause people to make uninformed decisions. The levels of spores that are analyzed by the lab are not accurate and they cannot detect hidden mold, so the homeowner cannot properly assess the situation. People often do either too little or too much based on these results.
Does home insurance cover mold?
Mold coverage isn’t guaranteed by your homeowners insurance policy. Typically, mold damage is only covered if it’s related to a covered peril. Mold damage caused by flooding would need to be covered by a separate flood insurance policy.
Do Home Inspectors check for moisture?
Before a home is purchased, an inspector can use a moisture meter to determine if the house has leaks. A moisture meter can assist a homeowner in determining whether wood is dry enough to be painted or stained. Wood installers use moisture meters to make sure that wood is dry enough to be installed.
How do I check my house for moisture?
The easiest way to measure your indoor humidity level is by using a hygrometer. A hygrometer is a device that serves as an indoor thermometer and humidity monitor.
How do you check for moisture?
One of the best ways to get quantifiable measurements of moisture in the home is to use a moisture meter! There are many different types of moisture meters on the market. Some of these meters have different calibration settings for checking moisture in wood, drywall, and other materials.
