Mold Under Tile – Causes, Dangers & How to Get Rid of It

Signs That you have Mold Growing Under Tiles

There are many different signs that might show the possibility of mold growth. We will be talking about signs of Mold Growth under floor tiles as well as Wall tiles.

Mold Under Floor Tiles

• Black Sludge Coming through the tiles
• Discoloration of tile Groat
• Tiles that have become brittle and are weak to the touch.
• A musty odor that is unusual coming from the Tile.
• Growth on the tile itself that could take on a variety of colors such as: Blue, Green, Black, White, or even Pink

Black Mold is the most common type of mold that you may come across growing under your tiles.

You should thoroughly examine areas such as: Below the sink, Kitchen Cabinets, In the Basement, or any area where water is used in a frequent manner such as under the shower.

Wall Tiles

• A musty scent coming from the wall tiles
• Discolouring of the tiles
• Tile Grout has Changed Color or black Sludge is Seeping Through.
• Dampness or the walls feel wet/cold to the touch.

If you experience any of these, there is a very high possibility that what you are dealing with is mold growth behind your tiles. You may even experience mold growth from behind the walls which makes it harder to see the signs.

Usually in most cases just by looking at the tiles, one can tell if Mold is growing behind the tiles.

But in some circumstances, such as when Mold is growing from inside the walls, one may need special equipment to poke a hole to look at it internally.

Most Common Causes of Mold Under Tiles

These are some of the common causes of Mold development under Tiles.

1. Excess Moisture

Excess Moisture is by far one of the biggest causes for mold development under the tile. This is why Kitchens and Bathrooms are the main places to watch out for.

It does not take much moisture to attract mold. This can make the chances of mold growth much greater.

Moisture can also occur in other places such as in the basement from periods of rain, water leaks, or even ventilation.

2. Flood Damage

Mold growth under tiles after floods is a popular concern. Floods can leave your house wet for days or even weeks which makes Mold growth much more likely to arise as a consequence.

Mold growth can appear rapidly and is almost inevitable after the occurrence of a flood that brings excessive moisture.

3. Leaky Pipes

Leaky pipes are another common cause of Mold growth under tiles  due to excess water/moisture.

Leaky pipes can occur due to a variety of reasons such as: Temperature Changes, Corrosion, or even High Water Pressure.

Corrosion can cause pipes to rust. This increases the chances of having a faulty pipe.

Changes in temperature can crack pipes and can cause cracking and leaking as a result.

The higher the water pressure the higher the chances of a pipe bursting leading to problematic situations.

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Suspecting Mold Behind Tiles?

Call 844-488-0570 for a Risk Free estimate from a Licensed Mold Remediation Specialist in your area.

We Can Help Get Rid of the Mold ,Stop it from Spreading & Repair any Mold or Water Damage caused.

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Dangers of mold Growth Behind Tiles

There are many dangers as a result of Mold growth under tiles. This can result in serious health problems as well as costly damage to your home.

Mold is often underestimated but under certain circumstances, the damage can be drastic as well as costly.

Health Problems

Mold can cause a serious impact on your health. This can vary from person to person but the typical problems are : Allergic reactions, Throat & as well as Eye irritation, Respiratory issues, and though rare Death may occur.

Certain types of mold growing under your tile floors or behind tile walls are more dangerous than others.

Black mold is very common, but it is also much more dangerous than other kinds. Most black molds are toxic to some degree.

White mold growing under tile is also common but it is not as dangerous as black mold.

Weaker immune systems can make such situations much more dangerous. It is always smart to keep track of any possible Mold growth under the tiles to get the situation under control as fast as possible.

Damage To Floor itself

There is bound to be damage occurring as a result of mold. Here are some common examples.

• Noticeable cracks on the surface, parts of the floor may be exposed
• Staining of the tiles is another popular appearance due to the mold growth damage to the tile
• Weird ”Scratches” along the tiles

Damage to floor tiles is typically easy to detect with visual detection. Cracks and staining are the easiest signs of recognizing damage done to the floor tiles. This can be costly and can also cause a build up of mold if not solved quickly.

Damage to Walls

Mold Damage to wall tiles can sometimes be hard to detect before it has completely destroyed the wall. This can make the dangers drastic due to sometimes not knowing that Mold growth behind your wall tiles are even occurring.

Here are some common examples:

• Cracks in Tiles
• Staining on the tiles
• Mold Growth can cause wall structures to rot.

How do you get Rid of Mold Under tiles

If you suspect there is mold growing behind your titles often the only solution is to ”rip up” the floor tiles and replace them with new ones.

If you suspect there is a light mold growth under your titles,It is recommended to try to stop the mold to prevent worsening of the situation.

A Mixture of Bleach and Water can be used to wash the Tile Floors thoroughly to kill any mold spores that have found their way out behind the tiles.

Hydrogen Peroxide is also an another option that can prove to be beneficial. 

Vinegar is also a very effective way to get rid of mold due to its acidic nature. Make sure to never Mix Vinegar with Bleach however as this will create a highly toxic gas.

After you have cleaned the tiles, the next step is eliminating any Moisture from the Room.

If you successfully Eliminate any Excess moisture and you are able to ”dry out” any moisture lingering behind your tiles, you have a chance of ”freezing” the mold growth behind tiles.

Bear in mind however, If Excess moisture Returns, the Mold will get ”activated” once again and will start growing/spreading again.

Preventing Mold Behind Tiles

The best way is to prevent mold growth from ever happening in the first place under your tiles. Here are some prevention methods that you can use to not ever encounter mold in the first place.

• Avoid letting excess moisture build up, this is a big one. Mold thrives on moisture and without it, it has no way to grow.
• Routine inspections can help prevent mold from growing or even occurring in the first place. Kitchens and Bathrooms should be inspected the most.
• If you happen to experience a faulty pipe, Repair it as fast as possible. Also regularly check your home for any leaks.

These prevention methods can go a long way in aiding to prevent mold from ever occurring.

When to call a Professional

In most situations of rapid mold growth under tiles the only option will be to replace your floor or wall tiles.

If you have immunocompromised people in your house, calling a professional might be the smartest/fastest way to rid your house of the mold.

If you can smell mold but can not see it, chances are the mold is growing from inside of the walls. A professional might be the best option to be able to get into the walls in order to remove the mold.

It is always better to call a professional when the situation seems dangerous/drastic. They can rid your house of mold while keeping you and your house safe.

If the growth gets out of control and there is more mold than you can handle, this is a telltale sign that a professional is mandatory.

 

We have Mold Remediation Specialists that can help Find the Source of the Mold , Remove it & Repair any Mold Damage to your Floors/Walls.

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