Mold - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Rathji · 03-09-2010, 08:39 PM

So we found out the renter in my moms place is moving out this summer, so I went downstairs to do some measurements for putting in tile and stuff before she starts looking for another renter. The bathroom clearly has a small leak in one of the pipes for the tap, and I can see mold on the wall and side of the vanity. It isn't lots of mold or anything but given where it is and the obvious drywall damage, it could have been leaking for a year or more and have had no one notice.

Any suggestions for dealing with this?

My thoughts are pull the vanity out, rip the drywall and lino out and see where it extends to and keep ripping stuff out till all the mold is gone. I understand how to protect myself and how to deal with mold in small amounts but is there any legal requirement (or self preservation requirement) that says I can't/shouldn't do it myself if there is too much?

I know we could call in a company to deal with it, but the budget right now is kinda low, especially considering the rental market in Calgary isn't booming so it might be sitting Vacant for a few months even after it is done. If there is no option, then I assume she could get it tacked onto her mortgage, but I doubt that would be pretty since when my dad died, her credit got right fataed up.

wooohooo · 03-09-2010, 09:39 PM

Sorry I can't be of more help... but just don't do what Mike Holmes does and tear the whole damn house down.

I've seen companies work on some rental houses when I was sorta in that business and they would seal off 'suspected areas' and rip out the drywall. Or make a small incision and check somehow. Then they would bleach/clean it, fix the leak and then put the drywall back on.

Rhettzky · 03-09-2010, 09:51 PM

I hired this company called Airvironment Canada and they sent a couple people over to check the house and provide us with a remidiation plan. They came with a gun thing that checks for mold in the walls and gave us a report afterwards to give to a contractor or to carry out ourselves. It was only a hundred and fifty bucks for the consulation too and they were there the next day.

Turned out we didn't even have an issue so saved us a big head ache.

bcb · 03-09-2010, 11:33 PM

What you might have is a mold called Stachybotrys Chartarum. It's a black mold and thrives on cellulose (wood products) after a leak or flood.

If it's contained, it's probably best leaving it alone, but if it's widespread, you should have a professional strip it out properly.

Another consideration is if the house was built prior to ~1970, there might be asbestos insulation. In that case, you definitely need to call someone.

Rathji · 03-10-2010, 06:31 AM

The house was built in 84 IIRC.

The mold is on the inside of the vanity and there are signs of water damage outside that edge of the vanity, but no mold yet. Is that what you consider contained? The vanity needs to be replaced as there is other wear and tear on it, which is the only reason I opened the doors to look inside. Are you suggesting if there is no other external mold present, that I skip ripping out the wall?

speede5 · 03-10-2010, 07:19 AM

Don't be petrified by mold. Unless you have extreme allergies a little mold won't hurt you. Figure out why it's there first. Is there a leak, or was it a one time overflow. Once you figure that out remove the water source, repair the leak, and get to the clean up.

Remove the vanity to get a clear picture. Replace any drywall that has been comprimised. Drywall is a sponge and won't dry out on it's own. Water will wick right through and start forming mold on the studs. Check the floor, chances are it has some mold. if you can't get it dry cut it out in as small a patch as possible. If it's under the vanity chances are you can splice a piece in and no one will ever notice.

Kill the mold on the studs, in the cavities with a mold killer and paint over it with whatever paint you have lying around. Once you have the leak fixed this mold will not recur and you don't need to rip studs out.

Fix the drywall and reinstall your vanity. Quick and easy.

BTW, wear a mask, and don't have your kids around. I've done this several times, renovating homes, and it is not near as scary as the perception. My son is allergic to alot, and mold in one of our houses seemed to be bothering him, but I did the above steps and he was fine.

bcb · 03-10-2010, 07:34 AM

Yeah, that doesn't sound too bad. As above, find out where the leak is first (the root cause, so to speak).

Canada 02 · 03-10-2010, 08:00 AM

bleach kills surface mold but doesn't penetrate deep enough to kill it in wood or drywall. use a solution of vinegar and boric acid. A google search will give you the correct dilution

Bill Bumface · 03-10-2010, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhettzky

I hired this company called Airvironment Canada and they sent a couple people over to check the house and provide us with a remidiation plan. They came with a gun thing that checks for mold in the walls and gave us a report afterwards to give to a contractor or to carry out ourselves. It was only a hundred and fifty bucks for the consulation too and they were there the next day.

Turned out we didn't even have an issue so saved us a big head ache.

I used them too after being unexplicably sick for almost a year.

You want to make sure you do this properly because if you don't, and you end up with sick tenants, it's going to be a disaster for you.

If it's a pretty small problem I think the only expense will be in a good mask for while you're working in there. Containment is pretty important, but a company like that can save you a lot of time too if they take samples and find out you don't have anything super toxic.

Good luck. It sucks. I was out of my old condo for 6 months because of mold, and even though it was supposed to be covered by the condo complex's insurance I ended up out about $3000 in various expenses while I was out of the place.

FurnaceFace · 03-10-2010, 12:05 PM

We had our bathrooms renoed this summer...and fall. I knew the wall between the bathrooms had mold on it as I cut a piece of draywall out to have a look. The reno company said if they did it they had to follow all the health procedures and had to alert the dump they were coming with it - full hazmat deal. They said if I did it, there was no restrictions. They recommended taking it out in as large pieces as possible, keep the dust down, and wear a good mask. They also recommended a hepa filter for the shopvac. It wasn't a big deal to get out following most of those rules.

As a landlord though I'm sure you'll have more rules to follow.

Rathji · 03-10-2010, 10:26 PM

Thanks for the input everyone.

The leak was fixed as soon as I noticed it, a little bit of Teflon tape and it was done.

zukes · 03-11-2010, 09:20 AM

I am a property insurance adjuster in Ontario....we deal with mold all the time.

Removal of the afftected area is always best, especially if we are talking a big area. Try to avoid disturbing the mold area as much as possible so as to not allow as much to get airbourne. Spray the remaining area with the stuff I describe below.

If you are leaving the structure (drywall, flooring etc) then go to Home Depot and get their mold product. It is an anti-microbial and it is basically the same stuff that most renovation contractors use. Use it, wipe away the mould, then spray again.

Mold DOES NOT die with just bleach.

Huntingwhale · 03-11-2010, 12:19 PM