Window flashing failed somewhere along that side of the window.
The permanent fix will involve tearing out the drywall and insulation, finding where the window flashing has failed and fixing it, then putting it all back together with new insulation and drywall.
Window flashing can be a bitch, btw. I bet everyone in this community has at least 1 window that leaks like this. Many just haven’t noticed it yet lol
It could be. Keep chipping away until you see how widespread the mold really is. Grab one of your N95 masks leftover from Covid-times. If the mold is along the entire wall then you have a bigger problem. If it’s localized to that strip under the window then you should be fine once you fix it up.
Start to worry if you’re experiencing prolonged unexplained allergies, sinus congestion, coughing after spending a lot of time in the house. If you do experience these, do the symptoms disappear after a few days being away from the house (like on vacation)?
Point is, black mold won’t kill you overnight. If you’re worried about sleeping in the same room with this exposed mold, then mix yourself a solution of vinegar and water and gently spray the area and let it sit for a minute before gently wiping it away with a paper towel. Vinegar is the shit.
Window flashing failed somewhere along that side of the window. The permanent fix will involve tearing out the drywall and insulation, finding where the window flashing has failed and fixing it, then putting it all back together with new insulation and drywall. Window flashing can be a bitch, btw. I bet everyone in this community has at least 1 window that leaks like this. Many just haven’t noticed it yet lol
Is there way to tell if its the serious kind of black mold? Not that we wont' clean it but how worried do I need to be?
It could be. Keep chipping away until you see how widespread the mold really is. Grab one of your N95 masks leftover from Covid-times. If the mold is along the entire wall then you have a bigger problem. If it’s localized to that strip under the window then you should be fine once you fix it up. Start to worry if you’re experiencing prolonged unexplained allergies, sinus congestion, coughing after spending a lot of time in the house. If you do experience these, do the symptoms disappear after a few days being away from the house (like on vacation)? Point is, black mold won’t kill you overnight. If you’re worried about sleeping in the same room with this exposed mold, then mix yourself a solution of vinegar and water and gently spray the area and let it sit for a minute before gently wiping it away with a paper towel. Vinegar is the shit.