Is water damage enough to cause concern, or should we take more steps to address potential mold growth?
Asked by Aatu Seppanen 
3 months ago
Last Updated: September 28, 2024
I don’t think this is mold, looks more like water damage to me. I’m not an expert though, haha. It seems dry and not crumbly. I cleaned it with vinegar and covered it with drywall, but now I’m second-guessing myself. Do you think we should do more just in case?
Dark wood is commonly moldy. Did you notice a scent coming from it?
I didn’t catch a whiff of it? Haha
If you want to sleep peacefully and be worry-free, consider replacing old insulation batts and plasterboard with new ones.
Sounds good, that’s definitely the next thing to do 🙂
It appears to resemble aged wood. You can usually test it by tapping a screwdriver to check if the wood is firm. Dry mold may not have a scent, but live mold often does.
That appears to be the rough edge of a stud. Nothing to worry about. Remember, mold needs moisture to grow.
🤦🏼♀️🥴. Lol.
Alright so…. Mold won’t grow in there if it’s not moist, folks.
Mold exists everywhere but requires specific conditions for growth. So unless it’s damp inside…. Mold won’t just magically continue to grow. It becomes dormant. Also, we’re constantly surrounded by mold. It’s actually quite rare for it to be toxic
(5th grade science? Ziploc bag. Bread. Moisture. Boom. Mold still develops because it was already present). It just needed the right conditions.
So as long as it remains dry And continues to be dry. (Not sure where this is). It’s okay
Mold remediation companies are fear-mongering us all. When in reality, mold is perfectly normal and ubiquitous around us.
I really like your input. I came across a mold testing company recently, and they were very open on their site about how many mold companies use fear tactics even though most mold is not harmful. It’s a different approach, but I found it refreshing. Thanks for sharing.
Yay I totally agree!! It’s crazy how we all learned about mold being everywhere in school but seem to forget. It’s unfortunate how some companies profit from fear 😢
I had unexplained health issues for ten years because of mold that went unnoticed (it looked like dusty smudges on our basement ceiling beams). I am very cautious about mold. Yes, it’s everywhere outside (especially in warmer weather), but humans shouldn’t be exposed to indoor environments with elevated mold counts in the air due to poor circulation. Did you wait a few days for the vinegar to dry before covering the area with drywall? If so, you might be okay. If it were my house, I’d keep a close eye on the area for any discoloration or musty smells. I’d also use dehumidifiers to maintain humidity levels between 30-50% to prevent mold growth. It’s not something to panic about, but it should be taken seriously. If anyone in the house experiences unexplained health issues that don’t improve with treatment, consider the possibility of mold being the cause.
Yeah, if it were me, I wouldn’t worry too much if it was in my house. I’d just spray some hydrogen peroxide and let it dry for a few days before sealing it up.
The pink batted insulation would be completely covered in mold if given the chance. Mold thrives in moist environments.
We switched it to the pink one but the old yellow one was still spotless anyways 🙂 just some mouse poop
You’ll have no trouble sleeping!!! It appears to be quite dry!!! Moisture is the culprit!!! Seal the opening with drywall, caulk the edges, and paint.
Already finished drywalling it haha this picture is from a while ago and then I got stuck in my head 🙂 thanks!
Demolish the house and you’re doomed
Decided to use a blow torch on it?
Wood may get stained by water without developing toxic mold. I would simply seal it off.
It’s okay, but you might want to consider adding some additional treatment before sealing it up, although it’s not necessary.
I made sure to soak it with vinegar just to be safe 🤷🏼♀️
Just allow it to air out. Vinegar is mostly water as well
You can purchase testing kits from most major home improvement stores and on Amazon.
Mold Armor is one.
Seems fine to me.
To me, it simply appears to be old and dirty wood.
That appears to be mold. Companies that specialize in remediation typically rely on a mixture of bleach and water to eliminate the mold. Using vinegar is unlikely to be effective.
Wood is not penetrated by bleach, but vinegar can. It contains 10% vinegar.
I heard that oxygen bleach kills mold, but not chlorine bleach. I had no idea vinegar could be used for so many things. I recently discovered that vinegar can bring old files back to life. Can you believe it? I soaked my files in vinegar a few days ago and it actually worked! Just be careful not to leave them soaking for too long or the vinegar will damage the metal. Just remember to put some oil on it afterwards and you’ll have a good-as-new file.
Next time, you should consider using closed cell spray foam.