How do you get rid of mold??

[SandrA9810]

Is this a pro job or a DIY kind of job??

This mold was discovered in the closet that hasn't seen the light of day in years. On the other side of the wall is the washer/dryer, however the side with the most damage is the dryer side, so a little less likely that the washer has caused this.




They length across is about 3 ft, as the closet is less than 5ft wide.

The pictures are huge, so I'm just using the thumbs, click on it for the big picture.

ETA: I didn't even look up the first time I went in there. The way the mold grew, it drew my eyes downward. Upon a second look, I noticed this on the ceiling, which is directly above the spot in the first picture.

 

[mblaesing]

I would call someone in to get rid of it

 

[kellyg403]

What you can't see is probably even worse....definitely a professionial job. I would say at the very least the wall will need to come down to check on the inside. And you will need protective gear so you don't breath in anymore than you will already.

I would definitely call somebody! I am not sure if you can use a bleach product on at least the surface until you can get someone out there to check how bad it is in the walls. Even though it is by the dryer, there is a possibility that the pipes are the actual cause for the mold, a leak that has gone unnoticed..wet, dark conditions equal lottsa mold.


Kelly

 

[donaldduck352]

What you can't see is probably even worse....definitely a professionial job. I would say at the very least the wall will need to come down to check on the inside. And you will need protective gear so you don't breath in anymore than you will already.

I would definitely call somebody! I am not sure if you can use a bleach product on at least the surface until you can get someone out there to check how bad it is in the walls. Even though it is by the dryer, there is a possibility that the pipes are the actual cause for the mold, a leak that has gone unnoticed..wet, dark conditions equal lottsa mold.


Kelly

I agree(I do home remodeling)what you see on the surface can be 10times worse under.Your homeowner insuarence may cover it.Go pro tho.Don't mess with the possible black mold.

 

[C.Ann]

What you can't see is probably even worse....definitely a professionial job. I would say at the very least the wall will need to come down to check on the inside. And you will need protective gear so you don't breath in anymore than you will already.

I would definitely call somebody! I am not sure if you can use a bleach product on at least the surface until you can get someone out there to check how bad it is in the walls. Even though it is by the dryer, there is a possibility that the pipes are the actual cause for the mold, a leak that has gone unnoticed..wet, dark conditions equal lottsa mold.


Kelly

I agree.. Looks like the mold is significantly worse at the bottom - which leads me to believe there is a pipe inside the wall that is leaking..

You can carefully (gloves and mask) remove what's on the surface with bleach - or better yet, there's some product they sell in hardware stores and such (can't remember the name of it - it's initials similar to TSA - that a friend in Texas has had to use because of mold problems).. That's only a temporary solution though.. I think there's a big problem lurking behind that wall.. Worse yet, that mold looks black - and if it's the "super bad black mold", it's going to be a costly job to have someone come in there and take care of it..

Good luck..

 

[Disney Doll]

Professional....

 

[SandrA9810]

Well that wall is a relatively short wall. It ends just on the other side of the closet with a door. So I don't believe there's plumbing in that wall except for the plumbing to the washer. Which is further left than the major damage.

But from the amount of time that it's probably been there, about 4 years, has had enough time to allow it to sink all the way through the drywall.

 

[megthewonderful]

Definitely get a professional! You need to determine the source of the mold and remedy that first. Using bleach will only take care of the surface of the wall and won't take care of the problem long term.

 

[kellyg403]

From the ceiling view, maybe a leak from the roof or an upstairs bathroom or pipe. We have an upstairs bathroom over our dining room. One day out of the blue I looked up and saw a water stain, the next day water was draining thru the ceiling light. Come to find out, we had a leak IN THE ROOF right over the area...came thru the wall!


Kelly

 

[MissUndastood]

A professional is most definately needed. Is anyone in the house sick? That is alot of black mold and can cause serious illness. Good Luck!

 

[SandrA9810]

Well there's no second floor. I don't know the condition of the roof, but the house is only 5 years old. Built during the boom, the builder did a lot of cookie cutter houses in this area. I've noticed a lot of short cuts and cheap alternatives used to make the home appear to be nice, but not of quality.

 

[smb6]

Do a heavy and thorough paint job using bleach. If there is more than can be killed with bleach- the mold will come back and you'll have to go from there. But more often than not- bleach does the trick

 

[Magic Mom]

I agree, start with bleach. It may just be surface. Does the dryer vent under the house or out to the side? The dryer maybe causing warm moist air to accumulate in the dark closet. Clean off the wall with bleach water, and vent the room with a fan and a dehumidifier. Keep the door open and the fan on. I would try that before I called in a professional.

 

[manning]

Remove the cause then spray on it a solution equal parts white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide(from drug store).

Make a gal.

You may want to add 1 cup of boric acid (20 mule team) to prevent it from coming back. It breaks down the mold cell structure.