Question from Bonnie Johnson
After a peak up into the attic crawl space it was discovered that there is some mold up there on the wood panels. The roof was done in 06 and have not been up there since then. I will get it tested and removed. I was wondering if anyone has ever been in a house that had that done or what the process is. Do I have to move out to get it done and how soon can I return…etc.
Debra’s Answer
Readers?
this product using light will change mold to carbon dioxide and water . I find it useful and it works on smoke on walls as well . You can e mail me as I sell this on my web site if you want to ask questions daliya@nontoxic.com If the mold is right thru into insulation and walls all of it needs professional to rip it all out but while you wait this product will keep you safe. I would use it in the whole house after remediation to keep changing the spores to carbon dioxide and water for at least 2 years as long as some light gets t it .
We recently had remediation in a bathroom and our kitchen. (Two separate incidents.) The remediators used hydrogen peroxide to kill mold. They tented off the area and kept air scrubbers going as they carefully removed and bagged all the materials such as drywall, insulation, cabinetry and tile. They sanded down the studs before treating everything with peroxide.
i have not used this method but it seems quite reliable. here’s one site to look at further info related to this. i also understand a special difuser is needed and the essential oil (Thieves) needs to run for 48-72 hours.
good luck and please report back if you try this.
nancy
I created a site specifically for dealing with mold clean up, remediation, how to find someone qualified, etc. I’m expanding it soon but check out the information before making any of the common mistakes people make with mold clean up (like I did the first time – I learned the hard way). No financial interest – just trying to help others.
it’s at
http://www.BeToxinFree.wordpress.com
Sorry i forgot the site link for the mold. here it is
http://www.secretofthieves.com/mold.cfm
nancy
Thanks. I have heard about Servpro and will call them. I will also check out This Old House. I am hoping when the roof was replaced in 06 the mold was already there. Since nobody ever went into the attic crawl space who knows. I have a very thick hepa on my furnace and I have a hepa filter in each room of my home. Nothing like an older home you inherit to be full of issues. What looked like a blessing has really been a nightmere.
Although mould remediation always carries some risk, clever professionals use dry ice to freeze mould, kill it, and discard it. Check out the website for “This Old House” for more information.
Definitely find out & research whatever will be use to treat mold. Some products are very toxic.
Please be very careful about your exposure to mold. I would recommend that a professional remediation company like SERVPRO do the cleanup. If you want the air tested before or after call a Certified Industrial Hygienist…but you don’t really need one to move ahead with remediation if if you know there’s a problem!
If it were me I might get the attic and living space tested afterwards.
Don’t be around when the remediation is happening and then run “True HEPA” filters in the house like Honeywells afterwards to make sure the air is being filtered. Certainly it’s not a bad idea to have them in the house now that you know there’s a problem. They’re very inexpensive and you can get them at any home dept, bed bath and beyond, etc.
I would say that how long you should be out of the house depends on whether you’re mold sensitive or allergic–then leave extra time. You’ll also need to make sure that whatever caused the mold probIem in the first place needs to be addressed so it doesn’t happen again.
Have a look at this for an overview of cleanup procedures: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/epi/epi-mold-guidelines.pdf
Good luck to you.