The key to a better home: detect and eliminate mould in walls

If you’re suffering from allergies inside your home, there’s a good chance you have mould hidden in your walls. Learn the five common signs and how to eliminate it.

If you or a family member is suffering from allergies only when inside your home, chances are you have mould hidden in your walls.

While Health Canada recommends that you contact a trained indoor air quality investigator for an inspection, you can first look for obvious signs of the fungus on your own. Start by taking note of which rooms ignite your allergy symptoms more often, because mould could be lurking in these areas.

1. Stains, discolourations or paint peeling on your walls
2. A musty, "earthy" odour
3. Spots with condensation
4. Humid areas or any other areas where you often see moisture
5. Signs of water damage, such as abnormal warping or bulging on ceilings or walls
6. Small dots of mould growth, which could be a sign that there's a larger mould colony nearby

While the above signs can help narrow down where hidden mould is probably growing, you’ll then need to resort to more invasive inspection techniques. It’s a good idea to call in a professional mould inspector at this point, because they can check for growth with minimal damage to your home. They also have access to special equipment, such as protective clothing and a borescope, which is an optical probe that can be inserted through a small hole drilled into a wall.

Invasively inspecting for hidden mould also includes lifting carpets and looking behind paneling, under wallpaper, behind ceiling tiles and inside air ducts. A professional will not only be able to cover all the bases, but they will also know how to handle toxic species of mould (also known as black mould) or large spores, which require special methods of removal.

When you have mould hidden in your walls, the do-it-yourself approach might not be the best one. Instead, hire a professional and breathe easier.