Tips on how to deal with mold & mildew

[Kapohocat]

quote:

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...I suppose this should go on the Building Forum, but maybe folks who are renovating could also use this info? Thanks!

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Renovating is building.. ha ha

Catherine Dumond
Blue Water Project Management
808 217-7578
http://bluewaterpm.125mb.com/index.html
"We help make building your dream home a reality"

[DanielP]

Home depot has a new mold inhibiting product called Concrobium. Comes in a bucket for direct application; also, they rent a fogger for it that you can fog a 20x 20 room in 30 minutes. Cewwwulll!

Dan

[HADave]

Interesting little gadget I found while checking prices for dehumidifiers at Sears. Now Sears is Sears no matter where you are right? Whether stock is available is the question.

Eva-Dryer, closet dehumidifier http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605...humidifier


Tips from an earlier post on storing books, paintings and photos (Star Bulletin article)Quick tips
Books
» A cool, dry environment helps prevent mold and the cracking and drying of pages.

» Stand books up squarely; avoid angling; if laying them flat, don't stack them. Use polyester squares to prevent rubbing.

» Keep away from sources of light.

» Don't wrap books in plastic; they will emit gas during decomposition.

Paintings

» Keep temperature constant and humidity at 40 to 60 percent (find hygrometers at hardware stores).

» Use indirect lighting; halogen is a good choice. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight.

» Use a soft, sable-hair brush such as a makeup brush to clean surface every four to six months.

» A good storage method is to place paintings in a closet with a stiff board protecting the image side and a backing board at the reverse.

Photographs

» Keep away from dust and light. Use acid-, sulfur- and peroxide-free, chemically stable plastic or paper enclosures.

» Ideal storage temperature is 68 degrees and a humidity range of 30 to 40 percent.

» When framing, use rag-board mats, archive-quality material and ultraviolet-filtering Plexiglas.


Source: American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works


Aloha HADave

[Les C]

Something that we heard (I think from the picture framer at the Hilo Ironworks bldg.) that framed artwork hung on outside walls ("backed up" to the outdoors) will be more subject to condensation, and, by association, mold/mildew. I don't know if double- or single-wall construction makes a difference. We haven't tested this out to see if it's true or not. Has anyone heard this, too, or found it to be true?

[Kelena]

Has anyone tried this Concrobium stuff? It sounds like what you do is "fog" the room and then it "sticks" to the walls somehow? Wouldn't it stick to everything else, too (mirrors, cabinets, electronics), or are you supposed to cover all that stuff up?

[gtill]

A company, Zinsser is marketing a mold resistant paint for the interior and mold blocking for exterior applications. It's priced about equal to any good paint. Is fully certified by EPA and seems to be pretty effective. Their primers (Zprime) are top rated. They also offer a bag of powder additive to put in any paint or sealer.
We have mixed it with a clear sealer and applied between walls before closing. The paint works and covers as well as most paints. Cost effective and seems to work.
Paint used to have mercury which helped resist mildew but was banned even on exteriors. Today the mercury is back in light bulbs, soon to be mandatory. Mabe this mercury is safe and when a bulb burns out, put in a shoebox, place it in your closet and break it, leave till the fog soaks in and instant fumigation.

[Carey]

The mercury is in fluorescent lights is NOT safe, and is why they should be disposed of at the Household Hazardous Waste collections (The mercury in them is what makes them hazaroudous waste that should not be disposed of in your normal garbage, ANYWHERE!).
Please be smart & DO NOT CRUSH fluorescent lamps, no mattter what is posted above...
There are newer technologies lamps (including LED lamps) that have a much gentler impact on the environment than even the newer Fluorescents (that have vastly reduced, but not eliminated the mercury content)

[Les C]

Regarding anti-mildew additives to paint, Home Depot says that all of their paints have an anti-mildew component added to them.

[gtill]

Carey, that was tongue and cheek, but did you know that flourescents are going to be mandated as required replacments for our incadesents, which may be banned. Tell me how many homeowners are going to recycle their lightbulbs. The flourescents are touted to be long lasting, but require 15 minute warmup before shutting off or they burn out fast try to find that on the label. So now we change the rules (or at least the haz requirments for what was hazardous but energy efficient, global warming wins. Ask those who make the rules, what do we do when 2 bulbs break in a fixture(earthquake) dropping glass on the floor and a cloud in the air. By fed standards you evacuate and call the hazmat team who will clean it and certify it's safe.
Would they assure you in writing it is?
Are led or whatever, new bulbs capable of the same luminescense properties of the common bulbs, and about cost. Not knocking at all , I wouldn't buy any other flashlight, but have they upgraded to larger sizes? I like the clear white glow they make better, closer to natural.
Solar tubelights beat them all! Plus I believe natural lighting should have an effect on mildew?

[gtill]

Les, yea, it probably does,they all used to until the mercury was banned, then it took awhile before any effecttive and safe additives were developed and approved.
Home Depot carries good lines, but is mildew reduction a primary objective in their blend. In most parts of the country it would be fine, but Hilo & Puna aint normal.
The Zinsser product is formulated for max mildew effect, and specific for interior and exterior, with the safe max in either. Plus they have 2 powder additives for any paint but can't guarantee no effect on color etc, probably not but try a quart first.
I don't sell it by the way, i apply it, and have had good feedback.