RE: I have bought a house in Southern AL.

[Guest guest]

Will the mold go away? Not likely. The mold is there for a reason, and that

reason is moisture. You suspect condensation, but mention damp wood. You

also mention mold in the carpet. If this is over a concrete slab, ground

moisture may be rising through the concrete. A moisture barrier was possibly

not laid over the gravel prior to pouring the concrete. If over a crawl

space, check whether there is a moisture barrier over the ground in there,

and the condition of that moisture barrier.

Mold will not go away on its own. First, you must eliminate the water

problem. Then you must very carefully remove any moldy materials, such as

the damp insulation in the walls where you smell mold when opening wall

sockets. This will probably require removing the drywall. Good luck.

Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2004 14:30:30 -0000

From: " rsnnthomson " <rsthomson@...>

Subject: mold

I have bought a house in Southern AL. It had 2 extra roms in the back that I

have joined to the house by enclosing the breazeway. The back 2 rooms

were not temperture controlled prior to enclosing. There was mold in the

carpet prior to pulling it up and putting down tile. Anything stored in the

rooms

prior to adding to house would grow mold quickly.( The house belonged to my

sister before I bought it). If I don't keep the windows closed and the

window

unit on in this part of the house it starts to smell moldy.

I am now adding a closet in the extra room. I have discovered damp wood at

the base of the exterior wall. I have already sealed the concrete on the

exterior and caulked. I believe the moisture is coming from condensation.

The

tile will get wet if the windows are left open over night. There is

insulation in

the walls but not in the attic space. I am having a central air system

installed

today for the addition. There were 2 other interior walls opened up during

previous renovations. There wasn't any evidence of mold in those 2 walls

which were once exterior walls. It appears to be at the base of several

walls.

Upon opening up the wall sockets I can smell mold. When up in the attic I

can

not. Will the mold go away if I keep the moisture out? Any suggestions to

fix

the problem? Would a dehumidifier help?

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