Why is Mold on Your Ceiling?

3/5/2021 (Permalink)

Why is Mold on Your Ceiling?

You observe an unsightly discoloration on the ceiling of your home.  It is relatively small in size so you add it the list of things to care of in the near future.  Because you know that it is there, you can’t help but look at it each time you walk in the room.  Over the next few weeks you identify that there are several other spots of discoloration and the initial one appears to have grown in size.  What is it, and should you be concerned?   If you smell a musty odor in the room that the discoloration is located in, it is almost certainly due to fungal growth, a.k.a. mold.  With this being said, this is something you should definitely be concerned with.

The presence of water-born molds in an indoor environment create a situation where the indoor air quality is compromised, and can cause health effects in people that have mold sensitivity or respiratory issues.  The best course of action to deal with the problem is to identify the source of the problem and have it corrected.   Mold or fungal growth on a ceiling is most commonly the result of a water intrusion.  If there is a floor above the ceiling where the discoloration is located it is often the result of a pipe leak.  If there is no flooring, above, but the attic, the likely culprit could be the roof.  However, there are other ways water intrusions can occur as well, which is why a trained professional should do a proper assessment.  

Once the source of the moisture intrusion is corrected, have a certified mold remediator, like SERVPRO® of South Durham and Orange County, assess the situation and create a remediation plan.  During the assessment, moisture readings will be taken of building surfaces where there could be hidden moisture that could result in more fungal growth.  The remediation plan will address removing the mold safely according to industry standards established by the IICRC and drying of any remaining building materials.  Additionally, relative humidity readings will be taken to make sure that there is not too much humidity in the source location, which would create conditions for further growth. Mold removal should be done by a professional remediator, according to the standards to prevent cross contamination due to improperly transferring of mold spores throughout the building environment. 

If you suspect that you have a mold issue, call SERVPRO® of South Durham and Orange County at (919) 596-1242.