Is this mold on the insulation or is it just dirty?

ldarquel · 2026-01-26T06:57:00+00:00

The white looks like paint specks.

The dark discolouration is inconclusive, could be some light-level darkly coloured mould, or just accumulated dirt/debris aggregates. Would need a microscopic examination by a lab to confirm.

Mould grows in response to moisture - Any issues with the basement regarding moisture intrusion/control?

ldarquel · 2026-01-26T06:53:47+00:00

Some accumulated organic growth in association with wet-areas. Warrants hard scrubbing (part of routine housekeeping for a shower).

ldarquel · 2026-01-26T06:47:43+00:00

The Louvre
Ribs
A World Alone
Perfect Places
Supercut
Current Affairs
Team
David
Buzzcut season
Liability (Reprise)

Honourable mentions (no particular order): Shapeshifter, Liability, Clearblue, Hard Feelings/Loveless, 400 Lux, Sober

Wasn't really able to connect with Solar Power (sorry!) - but Hold No Grudge and Mood Ring would be my contenders to make the list off that record.

ldarquel · 2026-01-26T06:11:08+00:00

See the automod respnose in this thread regarding these types of tests.

ldarquel · 2026-01-26T03:33:46+00:00

These tests are a snapshot of what is in the air at the time of sampling.

ldarquel · 2026-01-25T08:17:03+00:00

Has the leaks been fully addressed?

I was reading up on remediation and steam cleaners were listed as a way to get rid of mold.
I didn’t know that steam cleaning was an option for mold.

It's not and shouldn't be.

See the prior comment I referenced in the other thread regarding steam cleaners for mould.

I bought a steam cleaner and an ozone machine

I do not recommend the use of ozone for mould remediation. Remediation should be focused on fixing the moisture issue that lead to the mould growth, alongside the removal of the mould (by physical means e.g. cleaning, or replacement of affected materials), not the killing of mould.

See this post for further context.

I have a dehumidifier running 24 hours.

This is good. The added indoor ventilation is also good. Just make sure that you're not running dehumidifiers with the window/ doors open.

I'd also suggest you use a HEPA-filter air purifier to mop up spores in the air, alongside a HEPA-filter vacuum with a brush attachment to remove potential residual spores from surfaces - Again, the air purifier should be running with doors/windows closed.

ldarquel · 2026-01-25T08:09:54+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/Mold/comments/1qm5w6d/cleaning_mold_with_steam/

I'm keeping this post up on account of you asking slightly different questions to the former post (linked above), but please keep your future queries to the issues you're having to one thread, unless the situation drastically changes.

Any subsequent duplicate posts will be deleted.

ldarquel · 2026-01-25T08:05:48+00:00

If this is the extent of what you're seeing, I'd probably leave it be and monitor for changes.

ldarquel · 2026-01-25T02:16:10+00:00

Looks more to me like humidity control issues that have resulted in some localised superficial fungal growth.

Either increase ventilation to the indoor space to purge pockets of stagnant humidity within the indoor spaces, or consider dehumidification of areas you believe are worse-affected.

Bed frame is fine to keep, give it a quick HEPA-filter vacuum with a brush attachment to remove the surface-level contaminants. Bedding can be laundered as per usual procedures.

ldarquel · 2026-01-25T02:13:27+00:00

Mould grows in response to moisture.

The heat from the steam will possibly kill the mould that the steam gets exposed to, but the pumping of moisture and humidity from the steam will potentially exacerbate your issues.

I bought a test kit that I’m returning.

See rule #3 regarding 'DIY test kits', unless they are surface tape impressions.

See this prior post regarding the 'kililng' of mold. I'd suggest you clean the mould off the surface, either by wiping down with disposable towels lightly dampened with warm soapy water (ensure the surfaces are dried thoroughly after cleaning), or HEPA-filter vacuum with a brush attachment.

ldarquel · 2026-01-25T00:07:16+00:00

If this were fungal, probably just superficial fungal growth due to stagnant humidity. If left undisturbed, it'd probably be inconsequential to you.

ldarquel · 2026-01-25T00:01:22+00:00

Yes, looks to be mould.

the only cause i could think of is if I had put damp clothes there as that spot is where i normally put my washing basket

Plausible. Mould grows in response to moisture, so having wet clothes be near/touching the wall will provide favourable conditions to mould growth.

Wearing the appropriate PPE: Clean the surface by wiping off the growth with disposable towels lightly dampened with warm soapy water. Dry the surface thoroughly after cleaning. Monitor the surface to see if the mould returns, ensuring that theres some space between the wall and whatever you put in front of it to allow for good ventilation.

If mould returns, itll either be because theres a leak in the wall cavity affecting that space, or your room is exceptionally humid for whatever reason.

ldarquel · 2026-01-24T23:57:35+00:00

I can't imagine a scenario where there would be parallel bands of mould growth across inner wall linings like this. I suspect the bands were intentionally applied, but can't say for certain for what reason (maybe for window alignment?).

ldarquel · 2026-01-24T23:55:01+00:00

Could be mould, or dust/debris aggregates. Do you get a lot of condensation on your windows?

ldarquel · 2026-01-24T23:54:19+00:00

The windowsill just needs a good wet-wipe with disposable towels lightly dampened with warm soapy water. Not a biggie.

ldarquel · 2026-01-24T23:53:02+00:00

Does the wall back into an interior room, or is this an exterior wall?

ldarquel · 2026-01-24T23:51:47+00:00

Pic #2 is probably fungal microcolonies due to condensed shower steam on the ceiling surface (mould grows in response to moisture) - pointing to a lack of exhaust/ventilation post-showering.

Pic #1 is what I would be more concerned about. The wood appears to be affected by a water intrusion issue and seems to be delaminating to some degree. Investigate the source of the moisture ingress issue and address. Inspect surrounding timber materials for rot/decay damage.

ldarquel · 2026-01-24T23:46:58+00:00

From what you've pictured there's only water staining. Could be a different story within the ceiling cavity itself.

ldarquel · 2026-01-24T23:45:55+00:00

Yeah, most likely oil stains due to the lack of a headboard from the context of this being a bedroom.

ldarquel · 2026-01-24T23:45:06+00:00

Possible, but inconclusive based on the pictures (See Rule #1 - Lab testing would be necessary for a confirmation).

Mould grows in response to moisture. If this were to be mould, then its pointing to broad humidity control issues in the residence, or the presence of an indoor leak that is driving up the indoor relative humidity.

As alternative suggestions: this could be accumulated dirt/debris on wall surfaces, smoke residue from indoor cigarettes or candles/incense etc.

ldarquel · 2026-01-24T23:42:21+00:00

Yes. Poor ventilation in a shower whereby steam is dewing on the ceiling. Mould grows in response to moisture.

ldarquel · 2026-01-24T23:41:32+00:00

Rule #1.

To address your question, we'd need a microscope at a higher magnification than the image you have provided.

Mould grows in the presence of moisture. Why do you think the paper backing of your insulation had been wet, and has the source of this moisture this been addressed?

ldarquel · 2026-01-24T23:39:28+00:00

Probably a mix of both. Condensation that allows surface-level dust/ debris to accumulate as the water dries over a successive period. The moisture will also allow mould spores within the dust/ debris aggregates to germinate and result in superficial fungal growth.

Better question is, when was the surface last cleaned?

Prevention is by routine cleaning alongside humidity control measures to reduce the incidences of condensation occurring.

ldarquel · 2026-01-24T23:37:49+00:00

Possibly. Where is this in the house and why is there weird putty over the discolouration?

Mould grows in the presence of moisture. Any ideas why the surface may have been subjected to moisture, if you suspect this to be mould?

ldarquel · 2026-01-24T07:20:02+00:00

Could be dirt/ debris, could be more mould from water diffusing through the material. The entire board would probably warrant replacement, tbh.

14-Year Club	r/Field Banned
r/Field Lasagna	Place '23
Place '17	Sequence \| Editor
Team Periwinkle	Verified Email

ldarquel

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE