How Do You Know If A Stain On Your Concrete Foundation Is From Mold Growth?
by Sarah Morgan
Concrete foundations are a natural place for mold growth. Even though concrete doesn't naturally contain any organic material that can act as a food source for mold, dirt and bacteria from the soil that are blown onto the concrete surface by the wind are enough of a food supply to support mold growth.
When you have mold on your concrete foundation, it's important to remove it — it will release spores that travel through the air, which can allow mold to spread farther along your home's exterior. If you're wondering if the stain on your concrete is mold, read on to learn more about the difference between mold and other common concrete stains.
Mold vs. Efflorescence
Efflorescence is a white stain on concrete, and it can look similar to white mold. Efflorescence is usually caused when mineral-rich groundwater soaks into your concrete foundation and then evaporates, which leaves white-colored mineral deposits on the surface.
It's easy to tell the difference between efflorescence on your concrete foundation and mold. Simply rub a wet sponge on the surface of the concrete. If it's efflorescence, it will immediately come off. Mold will dig spores into the concrete, making it impossible to remove using only water.
Mold vs. Dust
If your concrete foundation is pitted due to age and oxidation, dust that's blown into the surface pits by wind can look like brown mold. Since the depth of the pits in the surface of the concrete will vary, the dust in the concrete will have a mottled, mold-like appearance.
Like efflorescence, it's easy to tell the difference between dust and mold. You just need to thoroughly rinse your foundation with a garden hose. This won't remove mold, but it will remove all of the dust from the pits.
Mold vs. Iron Stains
Reddish iron stains on concrete can look like red or brown mold. Iron stains usually occur when one of your sprinklers regularly sprays water on your concrete foundation. The iron in the water will eventually turn the concrete red. Iron stains can also occur if you use iron-rich fertilizer on your lawn or vegetable garden since rainwater can carry the iron towards the foundation and stain it.
Determining if a reddish stain on your concrete foundation is from iron or mold can be difficult. In order to remove an iron stain from concrete, you'll need to dissolve it using an acid like white vinegar. Unfortunately, white vinegar will kill many types of mold as well. When vinegar removes a reddish stain on your concrete foundation, it may have been either mold or an iron stain.
If you have a stain on your home's concrete foundation and are worried about it being mold, the best way to find out is to hire a mold testing service. They'll take samples of the stain using adhesive strips and then view them under a microscope in a laboratory. In the case of iron stains, mold testing is the only foolproof way to determine if it's mold or not. Checking for the presence of mold on your foundation and eliminating it will help prevent it from releasing spores and spreading around the exterior of your home.
For more information, contact a company like The Mold Inspector.
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Storms, from tornadoes to hurricanes to wind storms, can cause all kinds of damage to your home. They can damage your roof. Rip siding off your house. Allow flood water into your house, resulting in mold and mildew damage. When a storm damages your home, you need to know what to do so you can protect your home. At Allied Storm Damage, we understand how devastating it can be to have a storm damage your home. Our site is filled with resources so that you know what to do and what to expect when you reach out to professionals to assist you with cleaning up after storm damage.