mold: Articles tagged with “mold”

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber processed into thousands of building materials before 1980, including "cottage cheese" type and acoustic tile ceilings, furnace and duct insulation, drywall taping and joint compound, textured paints and plasters, and linoleum and vinyl flooring. It was banned from use in most building materials in the 1970s after the EPA proved that inhaling asbestos fibers caused or increased the risk of developing incurable lung diseases, including lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.

Q: We have a roof that is 30 years old and appears to be in pretty good shape - no leaks. We are hoping we can wait a year to have it redone when we will be better prepared financially, but my husband has noticed that there is a green mold growing under the edge of the roof at the back of the house. We are worried this may mean the wood underneath is rotting. Is this something to be concerned about or can he do something to get rid of the visible mold?

Yardwork is usually the last thing on the minds of most homeowners once winter sets in. But this can actually be a good time time to renovate the lawn and eliminate the brown spots and crab grass left over from last summer.

Q: We have a crawl space under our house with 100% coverage moisture barrier as recommended by an inspector. I recently had my annual termite inspection and was disappointed that there was no change in this condition. He said that the barrier was practically floating. With this problem, of course, there is fungus and mold not to mention the odor. I don't think it is plumbing related as I think my water bill would reflect this. They say there are many springs in this neighborhood. It is frustrating. We want to live here a long time. Who do I need to call to deal with this problem?

Q: I have a question concerning a central air conditioner in my home. The supply air is run thru ductwork in the attic. These ducts are insulated but condensation builds up internally and drips back into the house through the supply vents in the ceiling. How can I correct this problem before it causes any more damage to the ceiling, floors, furniture, etc.? Do I need more insulation around the ductwork in the attic?

Dry rot is always a concern in extreme weather areas -- ones which go from 100+ degree summers to foggy wet winters. Weather such as this stresses building materials to create ideal conditions for dry rot to develop. Learning to take steps to prevent it, and catch it early when it does develop, can save homeowners time and money.

A strong foundation is necessary in tackling any construction project. Moisture that enters the home through the foundation walls and floor can lead to problems such as mold growth and can contribute to a variety of health problems for the homeowner.

Q: We have a large deck that has a buildup of mold and mildew on the underside because of poor ventilation. We have now solved the ventilation problem, but are not sure what, if anything, should be done to kill the existing growth. Is there something that could be sprayed on the underside of the cedar decking?

Q: How can I keep green mold from growing back on my concrete after I power wash?

Q: Could I be smelling toxic black mold in my home?

Mildew is a thin, black, or sometimes white, growth produced by mold. Molds are plants belonging to the group known as fungi. Though molds are always present in the air, those that cause mildew need moisture and certain temperatures to grow.

Unpainted wood: In damp, warm, poorly ventilated areas, surface mold often develops on wooden parts of buildings. Since new, unseasoned lumber is particularly susceptible to mildew, avoid using it whenever possible.

When the weather turns colder, people keep their doors and windows closed and many homes develop a "shut-in" smell. The lack of fresh air going through the house allows odors from different sources to become more noticeable. Many things cause odors, so there are several ways to solve odor problems. Luckily, this also is also the best time of year to attack house odors at their sources and get rid of them once and for all.

Q: My basement is half dirt and half concrete, there was no ventilation down there and it had a strong, moldy dirt odor that could be smelled upstairs. I installed vents and the smell was reduced somewhat, but you can still smell the moldy dirt odor. What can I do to make it go away? Can I treat the dirt with something and cover it with plastic? What advice do you have?

Q: We had a roof leak that broke through the ceiling in the bedroom. We made the repairs but now we have this musty smell coming from the unfinished attic. Is there anything that can kill that smell?

Q: Who should I contact to see what has to be done about mold and mildew removal from an attic?