Mold remediation solutions

[gypsymare]

DH and I bought a short sale a little over a year ago. We knew there was a little bit of mold in the closet of the bedroom in the basement. The pump discharge on the AC drip line was clogged and water was pooling under the wall in the utility room and into the bedroom. Super easy fix (like 5 seconds with a plastic strip torn off a kitty littler pail). We removed all of the carpet and been running 2 dehumidifiers down there just to keep it really bone dry.

The smell was really bothering me, but I have a super nose for mold. It was completely contained to the bedroom and there doesn’t seem to be any current moisture problems.

Hubby is currently in the basement cutting out the damaged drywall and it’s apparently a lot more extensive than we thought. We have a fan pulling air out the window and he’s wearing a respirator made for mold. I’d like to keep the studs in place so I need a solution to penetrate and kill the mold on the wood and on the cement sub floor.

Bleach will not penetrate wood and only kills surface mold allowing it to grow back almost immediately. I need some heavy duty stuff.

Any recommendations?

I’m about to buy 2 gallons of Sporicidin as it looks like that’s what some of the pro’s use. Anyone have any better suggestions?

[clanter]

use Zinsser® Mold Killing Primer to seal the surfaces…the big box stores should have it

Zinsser Mold Killing Primer is a water based fungicidal protective coating that can be used to paint over all existing mold, mildew, moss, fungi, odor causing bacteria and any other fungal organisms. The Mold Killing Primer contains an EPA registered antimicrobial to prevent the growth of mold, mildew and other fungal organisms on the paint film. The Mold Killing Primer also aides in covering residual microbiological and fungal stains.
Paint directly over mold
Kills existing mold, mildew, and odor causing bacteria
Binds chalky siding, masonry, and metal
EPA Registered
Interior/Exterior
Water-Based
For stains caused by water leaks, allow Mold Killing Primer to dry then use a Zinsser stain blocking primer

http://www.rustoleum.com/en/product-catalog/consumer-brands/zinsser/primer-sealers/mold-killing-primer

[Calamber]

It is recommended in Washington State (one of the mold capitols of the US) that a professional should be called in for areas over 10 square feet. You have to make sure that the spores that are being created by opening up the wallboards/infected areas, do not spread throughout the house and that means it has to be sealed off. Call a professional or you will end up with a real mess.

[gypsymare]

Thank you for your concern, but in my experience, if you want something done right, do it yourself. DH and I do all sorts of things you’re supposed to call professionals for and the results are far superior, but we aren’t your average home owners.

[Equibrit]

This company specializes in the products you need.
http://www.jondon.com/nsearch/?q=mold+removal

Microban X590 is good stuff.

[Calamber]

[QUOTE=gypsymare;7907558]
Thank you for your concern, but in my experience, if you want something done right, do it yourself. DH and I do all sorts of things you’re supposed to call professionals for and the results are far superior, but we aren’t your average home owners.[/QUOTE]

While your do it yourself side might be admirable elsewhere, since mold is so dangerous, it is folly to do so. Have you even had this mold tested to see what type it is? Black mold can kill you. I have been mold poisoned and knew a woman in Northern Virginia who was poisoned in a brand new house who nearly lost her life before the doctors figured it out. Just consider it a warning. It isn’t using the right products, it is knowing what you are doing and/or consulting with people who know how to deal with a mycotoxin that has spores you cannot see and can contaminate the rest of your house, furnishings, vents, etc.

And by the way, if you sell a house which you know was previously infected with mold and someone becomes ill, you can be held liable. I am not talking about your purchase of a short sale, but if you sell this house and it is infected, you can be sued. Maryland is one of the few states that has mold laws. At least get it tested.

http://www.si-restoration.com/buying-house-mold-removal/

[Valentina_32926]

I would put white vinegar on a sponge, squeeze excess, wipe moldy places down and allow to air dry for a bit. Follow-up by painting are with KillZ (white paint with mold killer inhibiter in it ). You can buy KILLZ at Lowes.

[BaroquePony]

Rustoleum makes a far superior mold resistant / retardant paint than KILLZ … have used both and there is NO comparison. Rustoleum understates how well their anti mold-mildew products work.

[gypsymare]

We got all of the affected dry wall out and then some. No smell of mold at all anymore! And I have a nose like a drug sniffing shepherd these days. We did pull out the one small section of stud that was visibly moldy but the rest looked and smelled pretty fine. Sprayed it all down with Sporiciden and replaced all the drywall with mold resist green board.

It was all localized to the bottom few inches of half of two walls. Not an OMG YOU’RE ALL GOING TO DIE FROM MOLD type scenario. Like I said, small leak from an AC system. We knew it was there when we bought the place and with a VA loan no less so it was inspected by our inspector and by the VA appraiser and no one else noticed it, but I am very sensitive to the smell. My mom and I joke that we could rent out our services for mold and gas leak detection. We can smell stuff that doesn’t show up on test equipment.