I would just like any advice or to hear from anyone who has had a similar experience. We had a home inspector come in after I have noticed signs of mold. We have been in the house for 8 years and it is a 40 yr home. He advised that our house if full of mold and we have to completly tear apart our roof and attic and part of our basement and just for good measure our exterior walls. We are starting to talk to contractors and this is all new to me and really scary.I had left my hubby to hire an inspector when we first moved it and I don't think it was done. There is no bathroom vent and the stove exhaust does not vent to the outside. Also my hubby wants to change to electric heat and I want to stick with the oil. Any thoughts on that would be appreciated as well.
Thanks
2006-12-18 00:01:36 · 4 answers · asked by yahoomania 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Not a good deal...
Electric heat will increase the problem, because the mold is caused by too much humidity...one of the only things going for you at this time is the oil heat, because at least that is giving some ventilation during the heating season. The chimney exhaust is mostly air from the inside of the house, which is replaced with fresh air from the outside when it runs. Electric heat doesn't have any chimney, because there is no burning...so ventilation is decreased.
I'm not saying your oil heat is the best way to go, but electric is not a good choice!
Where is the humidity coming from? Are there roof or plumbing leaks? Have you measured your humidity levels? Are you running a humidifier?
Fix or add a bath exhaust.
Make sure the dryer is vented outside, not blocked or leaking inside.
Get a dehumidfier.
Is the basement wet? Tape a piece of plastic to the concrete floor, wait 24 hours, and see if water vapor builds up underneath.
Make sure you have good insulation, and a good vapor barrier.
The mold occurs when surfaces stay wet. Outside walls and ceiling below attics that are cold cause the humidity in the house to condense on them. If the insulation is good this usually doesn't occur unless the humidity is very high. A vapor barrier paint is a good idea on all outside walls and ceilings in older homes, built when they may not have taken those things seriously enough.
If the insulation is mineral wool or fiberglass, it will be ok if the humidity problem is taken care of.
You have to take care of the source of the problem, or it will come back.
But do you really need to tear all that out?
It is not that likely that you have structural damage, if you just noticed it and it hasn't been going on for a long time.
If the drywall is swelled, it may need replacing, but that's mostly a matter of aesthetics. Once dry, it won't affect the integrity of the house.
Getting the mold off is another issue, but bleach, lysol and other products will kill it, and there are paints with mildewicides and fungicides added to them.
It is NOT that common for a house your age, and with that kind of heating system to have such a problem. Usually, in the winter people need to run humidifiers with older homes and older heating systems.
2006-12-22 13:16:30 · answer #1 · answered by roadlessgraveled 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before you do anything with tearing anything out talk with a cleaning company. they have equipment and cleaning chemicals that will remove the mold.
Also have them look as some " home inspectors " don't know what the are doing!! (this is a very shady area) Any contractor will be able to check out your home and tell you if everything is alright.
2006-12-25 15:30:19 · answer #2 · answered by zen522 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
mold needs certain temperature/humidity condition to exist.
i'd install the exhausting vents for sure , clean the place & avoid mold conditions. electric costs a lot more than oil in new england. basement humidity u can control with dehumidifier & or PROPER ventilation when relative indoor/outdoor conditions exist. someone makes a computerized venting system which properly vents-forgo t name of gizmo...
2006-12-18 00:19:38 · answer #3 · answered by enord 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
both that, or they're going to deliver the poisonous Avenger to help out. maximum in all likelihood, in spite of the undeniable fact that, you may merely ignore to inform each person about the poisonous mold till it kills you on your sleep. That appears like a very sturdy idea for you.
2016-11-27 01:53:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋