Signs You’ve Got Mold Growing Behind Your Drywall

When you’ve got mold hiding behind drywall, you don’t always see it—until it’s already done damage. At Total Home Water Restoration, we’ve pulled down our fair share of soggy, musty drywall in homes around Grove City, Columbus, Hilliard, and beyond. And we’ve seen what happens when mold goes unchecked.

Here’s how to spot the signs early and what to do next.

Warning Signs Mold Might Be Lurking Behind Your Walls

Mold can start growing within 24 to 48 hours after water gets into your wall cavity. If you've had a leak, flood, or any kind of moisture problem, pay attention to these red flags:

• Musty or earthy smell: That damp, dirty sock odor you can't pinpoint? It's often mold behind the walls.

• Bubbling or peeling paint: Moisture behind drywall can break the paint bond.

• Discoloration or staining: Yellow, brown, or black patches on the wall might be more than just a cosmetic issue.

• Warped or soft drywall: If the surface feels spongy or you can push into it, that’s a bad sign.

• Health symptoms that don’t go away: Mold can aggravate allergies, asthma, and even cause headaches or fatigue—especially in kids or older folks.

How Mold Gets Behind Your Drywall

From what we see on the job, the most common culprits are:

• Leaking pipes inside walls (especially in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements)

• Roof or window leaks that let water track down behind the drywall

• High indoor humidity (especially in homes without proper ventilation)

If the drywall gets wet and stays wet, mold spores—already floating around your home—settle in and grow.

What You Should Not Do

We get the urge to tear open a wall when you suspect mold, but here’s the deal:

• Don’t just spray bleach. It won’t kill mold inside porous materials like drywall or wood framing.

• Don’t ignore it. Mold doesn’t go away on its own—it spreads.

• Don’t try to "paint over" the problem. That’s just sealing mold in, and it’ll still grow underneath.

What We Do to Fix It

When we’re called in for mold remediation behind drywall, we follow IICRC S520 standards. Here’s a simplified version of what that looks like:

1. Contain the area so spores don’t spread through your home.

2. Safely remove all affected drywall and insulation.

3. Clean and treat the wall cavity to kill mold at the root.

4. Dry everything completely using commercial-grade dehumidifiers.

5. Replace drywall and paint so your home looks good and stays safe.

We also make sure the source of moisture is fixed, whether that’s a plumbing leak, roof issue, or just poor ventilation.

Mold Behind Drywall FAQs

Q: Can I just cut out a small section and see if mold’s there?
A: You can, but it’s risky. Opening a moldy wall without proper containment can spread spores to clean parts of your home.

Q: Will insurance cover mold removal?
A: It depends. If mold was caused by a sudden issue like a burst pipe and you acted quickly, yes. If it was long-term neglect or high humidity, maybe not. We help you document everything for your claim.

Q: How fast do you respond?
A: We’re based in Grove City and cover the entire Columbus area. Most times, we can get to your home the same or next day.

Call Total Home Water Restoration

If you think you’ve got mold behind your drywall, don’t wait. The longer it sits, the worse the damage—and the more costly the repairs.

Call Tyler Zimmerman at 380-246-1837
Total Home Water Restoration
4141 Hoover Rd, Grove City, OH 43123

We’ll treat your home like it’s our own. That’s our promise.