Is mold on engineered hardwood floor dangerous to humans.
White mold on hardwood floor.
Mold grows on organic materials in environments with high humidity or trapped moisture.
It could be that the floor was damp when finished or there could be a current moisture source below the floor.
Unfortunately mold loves a damp wet environment.
So if water comes in contact with your floor it is only appropriate to spring into action and mop up and dry the affected area.
In cool climates mold growth on floor joists is rare.
If you ve noticed fungus on your hardwood flooring you are dealing with a mold infestation a type of fungi that is found indoors and outdoors and thrives in damp and dark conditions.
To keep the mold from spreading first cut off the source of the moisture.
With black mold the species found most commonly is stachybotrys chartarum which is very toxic due to the amount of mycotoxins it releases.
Attach new subflooring cut to fit with screws.
The mold usually appears first as small dust like white spots.
White mold on wood.
So let s look at the three signs of mold under hardwood floors.
Unfortunately for your hardwood floors that means they are vulnerable to damage and mold growth underneath them when there has been water or flood damage.
If you ve had a recent moisture intrusion keep an eye out for the most common sign of white mold on wood.
Saturate the material to weigh down the mold spores then cut through the flooring with a reciprocating saw.
Moisture left to set will quickly develop into mold spores.
White mold on wood when you see white spots on wood they are almost certainly white mold since efflorescence cannot appear on wood.
How much water is too much water damage doesn t have to be severe for mold to grow.
If the water accumulates in between the hardwood planks and the sub flooring then of course you won t be able to mop it up.
But when it occurs it s often white in color.
The following are some signs of mold under hardwood floors affecting your health.
White bloom under the finish of a hardwood floor won t wipe off and is usually a sign of moisture.
Bag and remove the affected flooring.
Heavy white mold growth on floor joists.
If you let the mold grows it can become bigger white blotches and even into fiber like component if the mold colony grows too large.
White mold is often found in two locations in a crawlspace exposed soil and the lower portions of the floor joists.
Mold grows on wood floors when it has appropriate moisture warmth and food.
Most surface mold can be removed with a rag and chemical spray.
It can not only stain wood floors but also move below the surface to discolor rot or warp the wood.
Whereas white mold doesn t release as much mycotoxins.
Discoloration in the form of white spots or blotches.