I just finished a spec house and sold it. The buyer hired a Home Inspector to look the house over. He mentioned that there was a “mold-like substance” on several joists and floor sheathing in the basement. My question is; how do I know if this a type of mold, and what do I do to correct the problem – if it is a problem?
StevieG
Replies
If you sold the house, why do you care? Did you sell it with any promise to correct the problem? Did the inspector have anything to prove it was mold ... sounds like his description as "mold-like substance" meant that he didn't know what it was, anbd wanted to cover himself.
If you have to take action, first thing would be to have it identified by a testing lab.
I'm sorry, I thought you wanted it done the right way.
Even though the house is sold, it has not closed yet. I don't believe this will void the sale, but I still want to take care of the problem. I think the "mold-like substance" may have been there from the lumber yard, because it is only on several joists and also only on one side of the joist. I am tempted to make them prove to me that is is mold - but I don't want to sound like I'm not concerned.
Do you have any idea what the relative humidity is in the basement?
Jon Blakemore
Go down there with a bucket full of water with a bit of bleach in it, and wipe down the areas in question. It will probably clear it up completely... at least for now... unless the basement is way too damp.
Thanks for your advice, I was thinking of doing just that. I just didn't want to spend a lot of time on anything unless I was sure it was mold.
Where are you located? Here in Oregon, 99+% of framing lumber would have mold on it this time of year. It dies off once the house is weather-tight and dries out.
It's probably just mildew, in which case, the chlorine wasdown will take care of it, but if the cellar is high RH, it will grow back. Itr couold also indicate a potential for other future problems. For instance, the concrete slab is probably still curing and giving off moisture into the air. The first winter a lot of poeople fiond that they have a lot of condensation problems because studs and crete are still stabilizing. Get a dehumidifier. We have started using one constantly in the later stages of construction.
If you have bad growth or the mildew keeps coming, Google up "Boracare" which you mix with hot water and spray on with a garden sprayer. The boron ( borates) salts creat an environmet inhospitable for mold, fungus, and some insects. It is totally safe around mammals.
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Most people don't realize that mold spores are an inherent part of wood and that it only takes a bit of moisture to start the spore growth. I agree that the mold was most likely on the framing lumber at the time of purchase. Most lumber yards and lumber wholesalers store their stock outdoors in the weather where it is prone to mold development and it will probably stop growing once the lumber dries out. Just be sure that there is no moisture problem in the home.
Basement? Probably isn't a real problem. I doubt if I've ever seen a basement that doesn't have a "mold like substance" somewhere.
As far as I am concerned, _small_ amounts of light mold are only a concern if they represent a _current/present_ water leak.
Usually, they are leftover from the lumber yard or work site stacking.
Repeat: _small areas or light mold _
In my area, the moisture/relative humidity in a basement has to HUGE for there to be active mold growth.
The HI was covering his fundament. He had too, given the current environment, so to speak.
FWIW, most of the thousands of molds out there are benign; even the "deadly molds" like stacybotrus astra" (sp?) are only deadly/dangerous to folks with high sensitivities (although a person can become more sensitive with continued exposure.)
If you are going to "fix it," at the least follow thew recommendations at the EPA and NYC websites:
EPA: Basic Mold Cleanup
The key to mold control is moisture control. It is important to dry water damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. If mold is a problem in your home, clean up the mold and get rid of the excess water or moisture. Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water. Wash mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely. Absorbent materials (such as ceiling tiles & carpet) that become moldy may have to be replaced.
http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldresources.html#Homes%20and%20Molds
Or, Section 3, Remediation" at the NYC Dept of Health site:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/epi/moldrpt1.shtml#remed
Read the info at http://www.moldinspector.com/nyc_mold_guidelines.htm with a healthy degree of skepticism.
And, FWIW, I don't know of any experts or expert organizations which recommend bleach anymore for cleanup, although some of the "experts" at BT still cling to that idea.
Also BTW, in my experience, the words "mildew" and "mold" are often used to describe the same thing.
Bob, does that make me an expert? I'm just suggesting he remove the mold/mildew/whatever it is that the homeowner is concerned about. That's what the HO wants. Cleaning it up certainly isn't a long term solution.
I don't know what your qualifications are.This is a subject I have followed pretty closely. Early on in the mold imbroglio, some experts advocated using bleach for cleanup (e.g., the NY Dept of Health), but none of the "recognized" experts now recommend using it.Are you an expert?
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My qualifications are minimal, about the same as any other carpenter who has been asked by a homeowner what the black stuff on the framing lumber is. Virtually all of the framing lumber I use now is KD so it's not an issue... but... what do you recommend cleaning it off with?
"mold-like substance"
If the inspector is going to toss a phrase like that out in an inspection report, he should verify what it is before adding it to the report.
Mold can be a deal-breaker these days.
Mold?
Mildew?
Black shaprie?
Coffee stain?
Never mind.