Short answer
You usually cannot see it — you detect it through a musty odor with no visible source, elevated moisture readings in the drywall, a thermal anomaly on the wall surface, or symptoms that consistently improve when occupants leave the building.
Thermal imaging does not see mold; it sees temperature differences caused by evaporation and by wet material holding heat differently. That is why the camera is always paired with a moisture meter to confirm what the anomaly actually is.
Where an odor is strong but surfaces read dry, a borescope through a small hole or a wall-cavity air sample answers it definitively without tearing out the room.
Why it matters in San Diego
Bathroom and kitchen walls in older San Diego homes are the most common hidden spots.
How we handle it
Thermal imaging and meters show us where moisture is before we open anything.
Signs it's time to call us
- Musty smell
- Peeling paint
- Soft drywall
Mistakes to avoid
- Opening walls randomly
- Painting over stains
Related questions
Will you cut holes?
Only if needed, and only where readings point.