Orlando, FL · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 282 votes
There is some mold behind the baseboards due to water intrusion and I've been advised to remove all the baseboards and clean the mold behind them. I was advised to use a "biocide" but later I found that seems to be a generic term for a lot of things.
EPA says not to use bleach, to use detergent instead. Has anyone tried this--do they just mean regular laundry detergent?
I have also read to use a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and boric acid.
Not sure what to do at this point. I don't want to make it worse than it is. It's not black mold--it has a greenish color.
I used to own a Mold Remediation company. That is correct do not use bleach. What people don't realize is that Bleach is 75% water and water is what caused the problem in the first place. Plus, when bleach or anything is sprayed on the Mold it sends Mold Spores flying in the air and will spread even further.
What is best to do, is to cordon off the area with plastic (drop cloth is fine) curtains so the mold doesn't spread and cut out the sheet rock a minimum of 6 inches above where it ends and replace, tape and spackle.
I used to own a Mold Remediation company. That is correct do not use bleach. What people don't realize is that Bleach is 75% water and water is what caused the problem in the first place. Plus, when bleach or anything is sprayed on the Mold it sends Mold Spores flying in the air and will spread even further.
What is best to do, is to cordon off the area with plastic (drop cloth is fine) curtains so the mold doesn't spread and cut out the sheet rock a minimum of 6 inches above where it ends and replace, tape and spackle.
I used to own a Mold Remediation company. That is correct do not use bleach. What people don't realize is that Bleach is 75% water and water is what caused the problem in the first place. Plus, when bleach or anything is sprayed on the Mold it sends Mold Spores flying in the air and will spread even further.
What is best to do, is to cordon off the area with plastic (drop cloth is fine) curtains so the mold doesn't spread and cut out the sheet rock a minimum of 6 inches above where it ends and replace, tape and spackle.
Thanks Howard...do you mean cut out the sheetrock six inches above the baseboard, though? The mold appears to be in the baseboard.
Cut out the sheet rock from the baseboard to 6 inches above where the Mold ends. If you use a sheet rock knife to score above and down to the floor (baseboard) on each side of the Mold and then a sheet rock hand saw to go through, then remove the sheet rock. It might have to come out in pieces. Remember to wear the proper dust mask before starting, rubber gloves, etc.
New sheet rock can usually be reinstalled and slid behind the baseboard.
Also after removal of the old sheet rock put it gently in heavy plastic garbage bags and close tight before taking out so no spores go any where else.
^ I don't know if it's in the drywall or not, or just the baseboard. For what it's worth the inspector's oisture meter only showed wetness in the baseboard areas, and the kitchen cabinets. I know that doesn't necessarily mean there isn't mold elsewhere though. If at all possible I want to do this myself to avoid paying enormous sums to a remediation co.
When you say baseboard, what exactly do you mean. I am originally from NY and now Southern California - we may have different meanings.
If it's a rubber baseboard or wood simply remove carefully as I stated above and discard.
If there is sheet rock behind with mold on it, again follow above.
You could call in Service Master or the like and ask for an estimate. They don't usually charge for an estimate and you might get some insight on how best to handle for your specific situation.
^ Howard, they are wood. I actually don't know if the mold is on the sheet rock or not. I think it may be a good idea to have one of those places come out and look at it to get a second opinion on what to do, thanks.