Hardwood floors add warmth and charm to any home, but mold growth beneath them can quickly turn into a nightmare. Mold under hardwood floors compromises indoor air quality and can damage the flooring and subfloor structure over time. Whether you’re a homeowner looking to address potential mold issues or have noticed signs of mold, this blog will guide you through DIY methods for testing mold under hardwood floors and how to remove it effectively. With the right tools, approach, and patience, you can tackle this issue and restore the health of your home environment.
Why Mold Grows Under Hardwood Floors
Mold grows best in wet and shady conditions. The area under hardwood floors is often a perfect spot for mold, especially in homes with poor ventilation and high moisture. Mold commonly develops due to the following:
Leaking Water: Water leaks from plumbing, appliances, or the roof can lead to moisture buildup, which encourages mold growth.
Humidity: High indoor humidity or poor air circulation can also create an environment for mold to thrive.
Liquid Spills and Poor Cleaning: Not drying up spills properly or using careless cleaning methods can accumulate moisture.
When left unattended, mold will start consuming the hardwood and migrate to your subflooring, costing you expensive repairs or even the entire floor. Moreover, mold can trigger respiratory issues and allergic reactions, especially in people sensitive to airborne spores.
Steps For Testing For Mold Under Hardwood Floors
There are several DIY testing procedures for mold under hardwood floors, and a few of them are:
Surface testing: Collect samples from apparent contaminated areas or where mold can be seen to grow. For example, you can use a mold test kit with swabs and test strips.
Air quality testing: Use a petri dish to catch airborne mold spores. Leave the dish open in the air for 48 to 96 hours, then check for mold growth.
Check under the floor: Gently pull up the planks to inspect for mold.
Other mold symptoms include:
- An earthy, damp, or musty mold smell
- A smell that’s so intense, like rotten meat or sweaty socks
- Dark spots that don’t rub off easily
How To Remove Mold Under Hardfloor
Eliminating mold under hardwood floors can be daunting, but breaking the process down into a few manageable steps makes it easier. Here’s a simple, straightforward way to eliminate mold and prevent it from returning.
Step 1: Collect Supplies and Implement Safety Precautions
First, gather all these things before you start:
- Gloves, mask, and goggles
- Mold killer
- Scrub brush and sponge
- Plastic sheeting for your work area
- Dehumidifier
- Medium-grit sandpaper
- Wood sealant
Safety must be maintained because mold spores can become airborne, causing respiratory irritation. Wear protective equipment and make sure the surroundings are well-ventilated. Use plastic sheeting around all the doorways and vents to prevent mold spores from spreading to other parts of your home.
Step 2: Careful removal of infested floorboards
Insert a pry bar where it is visible or suspected that mold is growing, and gently lift the hardwood boards. If the boards are glued down, some may need a heat gun to soften the adhesive before lifting. Once you have lifted the boards, you’ll have to look at both the underside of the boards and the subfloor for signs of mold.
Pro Tip: Do not push too hard when removing the boards so you do not crack or crack the floorboards. This will allow you to access and address the mold underneath.
Step 3: Treat Mold Affected Area
Once the moldy area has been exposed, a mold-killing solution is applied, allowing it to stay for 15 to 20 minutes to break down the mold. Then, it is scrubbed vigorously with a scrub brush.
There are several ways to remove mold from under hardwood floors:
Borax:
- Mix one cup of borax solution with one gallon of hot water.
- Apply the mold solution to the affected area, scrub it with a brush, and let it sit for 10–15 minutes.
- Mop up the solution and scrub again.
- Use a wet/dry shop vac to remove the water, borax, and mold.
Vinegar: Mix the vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. Spray the mold, let it dry for about an hour, and then wipe with a damp cloth and towel. This solution is best applied on finished or sealed hardwood floors.
Dish soap: Mix clear dish soap with water and use it to clean small areas of mold.
Biocidal cleaning spray: Use a spray that kills mold and its spores to prevent it from returning.
Vacuum: Use a strong vacuum to remove the mold.
Sandpaper: If the mold has grown deep into the wood, remove it with fine-grit sandpaper.
Step 4: Dry the Area Thoroughly
Mold will not come back if the board is properly dried. Add a dehumidifier to let it sit for at least 24 hours so all remaining moisture can be drawn out of the wood. Open some windows or use fans to help circulate air. This will speed up the drying process. If you have a moisture meter, check the area to ensure it is dry before moving on.
Step 5: Sand, Seal, and Reinstall the Floorboards
After the floor has dried, use medium-grit sandpaper to sand the affected floorboards. This will remove stains and prepare the surface for sealing. Sealing the wood creates a barrier that prevents moisture and mold from growing. Once you seal the boards, put them back in their original positions and secure them with nails or adhesive.
How To Prevent Future Mold Growth Under Hardwood Floors
Once you have cleaned up, take precautions so your hardwood floors do not harbor mold infestations again.
Humidity: Manage indoor humidity using a 30% and 50% dehumidifier.
Deal with Leaks and Water Damage Promptly: Inspect your plumbing fixtures, windows, and doors for any leakage and address the problems promptly.
Ventilate High-Moisture Areas: Install exhaust fans in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms to ventilate the area. Also, keep water from sitting on floors for too long.
Select Mold-Resistant Finishes: Apply mold-resistant finishes or sealants on hardwood floors to prevent moisture-prone areas.
Conclusion
Mold under hardwood floors is very difficult to remove, but with these do-it-yourself approaches, it may become possible for you to test and get rid of it yourself. The idea is complete testing, caution, and diligence in cleaning. With this guide, you can restore your floors and keep a healthy home environment free from molds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I test for mold on my own?
You could apply a home mold test as a DIY, which would help identify where there might be some mold issues while inspecting a house. Always follow the instructions from your test kit. If you get any positive indication of mold, you should be wise enough to seek professional assessment so that proper assessment and remediation can be done.
What Does Mold Look Like Under Hardwood Floors?
You will also feel and see mold as discolored, darkened patches or as a fuzzy growth. Visual signs for underfloor inspection include buckling and warping. Do not ignore a musty smell because hidden mold behind hardwood floors often creates that smell.