Mold & Fungus Questions:

Ventilation and Mold:

Question:

Hello, we are considering installing a Hot tub & Sauna in our basement, what kind of ventilation or special equipment is needed to prevent mold?

Answer:

If you are redoing the sheet rock then I would hang Green Board (water resistant drywall) on the walls and ceilings. I would use Kilnz Brand (mold resistant) as a primer, I would caulk at the floor and all the joints before painting, and I would use a good quality paint with a moisture retardant. Your ventilation system should be capable of re circulating the air very quickly and run often to keep the air fresh. I would install a tile floor that has been sealed well since it can be cleaned with bleach without damage. Mold is very pervasive and will grow quickly if un-checked. Gordon

Bathroom Mold:

Question:

I have mold that is coming through the walls in my bathroom. My home is over 35 years old. The soap dish that goes in the wall has fallen out and the area behind the wall is black and looks disgusting. I was able to save the tiles for reuse. How do I do about correcting this problem. Can I do it myself or do I need to call a professional? How expensive will this be?

 Answer:

Generally when you have such an extensive infestation it is best and advisable to tear everything out back to studs. Mold is so pervasive and you definitely have to eliminate it completely or it will shortly rear its ugly head again. If you feel comfortable about tackling the job yourself then seek some advice as well, or if you don't have the confidence or resource hire a reputable contractor. As far as cost it's hard to calculate from my stand point without knowing the square footage and the condition of the area. One small note, be sure and soak the tiles you pulled in a bleach solution, as the mold spores will re-grow if you don't. Write again if you have more questions, Gordon

Fungus on joists:

Question:

I am replacing my vinyl deck (leaking from age) and I have a fungus growing between the original 2 x 4 deck planks under the plywood. How do I get rid of it.?

Answer:

Good old sun light and bleach slightly diluted in a spray bottle worked the best. On a test area spray the mold and let it dry, there still may be a stain but the active mold will be dead. Don't be afraid to soak the areas, the more the better. If there are large areas power washing first is recommended then applying the bleach. There is also a product called X-14 on the market, nasty stuff but efficient for mold removal. As in anything with chemicals of any kind, wear gloves and eye protection and of course old clothes that won't be ruined by bleach stains. Hope this will help you, and thanks for your question, Gordon

Moisture Solution for Earth Basement:

Question:

How do I address an earth basement for better insulation and moisture control, would gravel be good?

Answer:

A layer of thick black roll plastic covered with gravel is probably would best bet for both. If you can put some fans down there and run them until the damp parts are dry then make sure if possible there are no low spots to collect moisture. Get a good quality plastic so it doesn't rip easily. While you are down there check the insulation between the floor joists overhead, stapling and re-securing as necessary. Just a reminder, close the foundation vents in the fall, putting the Styrofoam inserts from the outside and then in late spring take them out and open the vents. A little maintenance will go along way. Hope this is helpful, Gordon

Condensation on Toilets:

Question:

We have a problem with heavy condensation on our commode in the summertime. It condenses very bad and drips onto the floor. What is the solution to this problem?

Answer:

Good Morning, Unfortunately in areas of high humidity sweating toilets are common. The bowl of a toilet is hollow between the inside and outside, put cool water in the bowl mix it with the warmer air and the condensation begins. If you can get the air to circulate and cool down it won't be as bad but in your climate it will always be a factor. Gordon

Moisture Issues:

Question:

I was going to paint my damaged bathroom baseboard and noticed it was damp. I tried putting a fan on it, but it wouldn't dry out. I pried the baseboard away from the wall and discovered the drywall was wet and crumbling. The backside of the baseboard has mildew. Behind the drywall is the toilet vent that extends to the roof. We’ve had weeks of rain in Texas and I'm wondering if the water got in through the vent as I do not see anything leaking. Do you have any ideas on how to confirm the cause and fix the problem? Thanks so much!!

Answer:

Water is very pervasive and could very easily have come in at the vent, especially if you had high winds as well. I would take some roof patch and spread it around the roof jack on the roof. I would then examine the outside wall to see if there is a clean out there. Caulk in that area as well. You may have to remove the toilet and cut a small portion out of the wall behind to insure that the leak is stopped. Mold is very bad for your health as you know and dry rot will cause a great amount of damage if gone un-checked. Good luck, I hope I have been helpful, Gordon

Removing rotted sunroom sub-flooring:

Question:

We just bought a house with a sunroom. The flooring was horrible. They previous owners put down vinyl tiles. After we pulled up what wasn't already peeling off, we discovered a wet, moldy, 7/16 oriented strand board that was super-glued to about 6 inches of white Styrofoam. This is the sub-floor. How can we remove this stuff so we can put in a proper sub-floor? Do we need to re-insulate or add anything to waterproof? When the sub-floor is done we are planning on putting down porcelain tiles.

Answer:

The best rule of thumb when dealing with funky building practices is to go back to good, removing everything that is substandard. Mold and dry rot are both very pervasive; you don't want to cover that stuff up. After you get the bad removed, re-insulate, put a new sub-floor down, purchase some concrete wonder board or Hardi Backer (for tile) screw or ring shank it down to the sub-floor at the joists, get some thin set mortar, the proper trowel and tile the room. A job done right is a job well done. Gordon

Garage Floor Moisture:

Question:

Our garage floor has always been wet, especially when it's humid or raining. It gets worse when the garage door is open. Anything that sits directly on the floor will have moisture under it within an hour. If a wet area dries it creates a white powder on the surface. How can this be cured? Can I use an epoxy flooring to seal the floor?

Answer:

Sounds like the slab was improperly laid, perhaps not enough drainage? I would be careful when applying any material. Perhaps a small test area would be in order. That way your scraping would be a minimum if needed. You are on the right track with the epoxy based covering. You might want to consult a local professional whom installs the product. They may have some tricks. Gordon