Wallpaper Can Hold Moisture

8/28/2024 (Permalink)

Excessive moisture can cause mold to form behind wallpaper.

Water leaks and moisture are not always present in areas which are visible to home and business owners. Over time, slow leaks and high levels of humidity can cause mold to form under floors, behind walls and in air ducts. SERVPRO of South Jersey City/Bayonne's expertly trained water mitigation technicians were called out to a home which had a water loss due to a broken sprinkler head. Once the crew started to remove the wallpaper, they realized mold had formed after a former slow leak from the air conditioning system.

This room looks clean and dry, but a closer inspection revealed mold was growing under the wallpaper. If your walls are wet and the wallpaper remains in place, it can act as a vapor barrier preventing the drying process from occurring. Chances are the insulation behind the wall is also affected. Water will wick up a wall 1" per hour for the first 12 hours following a flood.

SERVPRO® is always ready to take care of homes and businesses affected by disaster. Call us at 201-333-3200, 24 hours a day, and seven days a week.