If the mold test comes out negative, and some minor preventive measures are taken in the mean time, I think Flight’s plan will work out.
Of course, there is always the WHAT IF factor, but hopefully the mold scare is of the 9 out of 10 variety as noted earlier. Never pooh pooh mold concerns. But be balanced. If it doesn’t test for any, it probably isn’t there.
Still, just like nuking the site from orbit, there’s only one way to make sure. Flight. if you have any other concerns or questions about the mold possibilities, shop around for an inspector.
As is, I think, from what you’ve disclosed, that you will be fine. Without seeing it all in person tho, I won’t give anyone a total green light. It’s on your head. Weigh the risks vs benefits and make an informed descision. (As you are doing in this thread.)
Have I been wishy washy enough for all concerned? Mold is a risk. But it’s a testable and treatable risk.
The paper tape that’s come loose? Might as well cut it out now. It won’t get any better. The temp patches you do should be fairly inconspicuous on casual observation for a little while.
Thanks for the info. So how much of a problem would it actually be if I missed it and there was a good bit of mold up there? I don’t think it causes structural problems does it? If it is fully closed in, I also don’t see there being too many issues with spores getting anywhere else. Is it just a question of how nasty it will be when I replace the ceiling?
This is a good read. Be sure to follow the links at the bottom of the page. Answers most questions and concerns.
In my personal experience, I’ve seen a lot of mold. Anywhere in the house that’s near water can be infected. Under sinks, behind wall paper in bathrooms and laundry rooms, down behind the baseboard in a living room because of a small roof leak that travelled across the beams, rafters, and studs.
In one home we were about to start (basic remodel and repair), it ended up being condemned. The mold had started with a fairly severe, but hidden, siding leak. Almost the entire home’s floor joists were covered with it and it had travelled up all but a couple of walls. Behind the drywall. The homeowner had been getting sicker and sicker until another relative suggested having us come out and look for a leak in his bedroom/bathroom.
But, that’s a worst case scenario. That’s what I’m trying to get across. Mold can be sneaky. And it is indeed a concern. But the tests do seem to work. If the test is negative, you are probably safe. Any lingering worrries can be addressed by a home inspector.
The bolded part: This is usually noticable somehow. The smell, discolouration of water damage, visible fuzzyness … Tho, it doesn’t have to be right under the water tank. As in roof and siding leaks, sometimes the water travels along the wood in interesting ways. But, if your place had a previous longterm leak that travelled, you should see some wallboard discolouration where the water tended to pool up. Even a tiny leak, given enough time, will telegraph where the water damage ended up. It’s the colour.
So, take a good leak around your old ceiling. Look for previously patched places, bubbles, or off-colour plaster or paint. Don’t see any? Probably not any mold behind it then. Not a 100% guarantee, but likely a good sign.
Crap, crap, crap. It took a while, but the medium in the mold test is sprouting all over the place. Ugh, looks like I will be doing this job sooner than I wanted to.
That sucks. But look at it as the opportunity to kill all the problems at one go - it’s so much easier to fix everything you can think of (plumbing, electrical, insulation) with the drywall off, and you’re hopefully getting it before it turns into a massive Fungus Farm up there. Might be good to get some professional advice but tarp everything & bag the debris, vent with a couple of good box fans in the windows, and keep the room toasty warm and dry (a couple of cheap halogen task lights work great for this). I would assume that anything in the ceiling could have crud on it (insulation and whatnot), might as well replace it all (insulation is relatively cheap). If there’s some kind of recommended mold-killer (a la Killz) apply that or perhaps a 10% bleach solution will do the trick, just make sure everything is bone dry before you finish work and hang the new sheetrock.
Yeah, I am going to look into what I can do. I am pretty sure the vents are leaking like a sieve into the walls, and this project should uncover a few. Those will get a bunch of mastic. Then I am going to look into proper drainage for the utility closet. I am not sure how easy that will be to route into the existing drainage since the place wasn’t designed with that in mind.
One last thing is insulation. There is no interior insulation, and I don’t see a need for it heat-wise, but does anyone know anything about acoustic insulation?
Flight, you might want to check out what local regulations are in your area concerning mold abatement. Some municipalities get quite specific.
And don’t worry too much, if you were planning on moving a wall yourself, you should have most of the skills needed to take on this new project. We’ll be on the lookout for any new posts or threads.
Thanks. I am not too worried about being able to do it as I have done this sort of work before. I just don’t have experience determining when it has to be done NOW due to mold issues, and it looks like with everyone’s help I have determined that it must.
