Whether it's a burst pipe or an ongoing foundation leak, the major work usually starts after the leak is repaired. You will have to tear out and replace the worst of the moisture damage, but the rest is usually just given a thorough bleach scrub to remove any lingering mold spores. Unfortunately, this may not be enough. Mold can hide in less obvious areas, which can lead to respiratory issues if not properly cleaned up. The following guide can help you locate these sources of unwanted mold.

Walls

Mold can take hold behind the walls, even if there is no visible damage to the exterior drywall. As a general guideline, if there was a leak that allowed moisture behind a wall, then there is a high chance that there is mold now growing in the cavity. You can have a small hole drilled into the wall to check for mold and moisture. If mold isn't yet present, the exterior can be dried via the hole, and then it can be seamlessly patched. Otherwise, you may need to replace the drywall.

Vinyl wallpaper

Another common place for mold to thrive is in the drywall behind vinyl wallpaper. This is because the vinyl traps moisture behind it. Then, the mold grows unseen. If you have a wallpapered wall that was exposed to moisture, check the edges and seams. If you notice any peeling or lifting, then moisture may have seeped behind the wallpaper. The only fix is to remove the wallpaper, disinfect the walls, and then repaint or put on fresh paper.

Flooring

The undersides of carpets or in the pads is a common place for mold to grow if the moisture isn't extracted quickly enough, but carpets aren't the only flooring that can favor mold. If you have vinyl flooring, moisture can seep between the seams and become trapped under the vinyl tiles. Then, mold will grow on the plywood subfloor. Check the seams and corners closely, as moisture tends to cause the tiles to curl slightly at the edges. If you see signs that moisture has seeped beneath the tiles, then removing them, cleaning up, and then replacing the flooring is a good option.

Furniture

Chances are the visible exterior of any furniture items exposed to water were cleaned promptly. The problem is that the undersides are often overlooked. Flip your furniture pieces over and wipe them down with a bleach solution or mold killer of choice, and then make sure they dry out completely before putting them upright again.

For more help in finding all the sources of mold in your home, talk to a mold remediation and water damage cleanup contractor from a company like Spotless Carpet Cleaners & Janitorial Services Inc in your area.