Posts
1363
Joined
8/3/2014
Location
Annapolis, MD
US
One Last Comeback
5/3/2016 10:42am
5/3/2016 10:42am
Edited Date/Time
5/3/2016 7:52pm
I am looking at a rental house, and the basement has this vapor barrier on the walls. The pics show some algae/mold on the outside of the basement walls. This is in a very wet area, with a high water table. We have had a lot of mold problems in other rentals.
What is the purpose of this stuff? Is there probably a mold issue under there if the basement flooded at a certain time?
What is the purpose of this stuff? Is there probably a mold issue under there if the basement flooded at a certain time?
If they won't let you do that, walk away.
Even if there's no mold, I'd pull it down and apply some positive waterproofing, just in case.
Maybe that's already been done?
I'm guessing that's integral color stucco with no paint or sealer.
The Shop
Once you get sick from mold, your susceptibility goes up and makes it easier to get sick again. My wife and I have been through the wringer with this stuff.
http://www.rhinohide.com/blog/never-use-bleach-to-clean-mold
Look for cracks in the concrete, bubbles in wall paint, damp smell, water or drip marks.
Basements really need to be sealed from the outside to make them truly waterproof, but that is very costly...
Usually you can get away with bigtime interior sealing, but it isn't as effective.
The funniest part is, they say, "OH, NO! Bleach is 90% WATER!"
They don't think anyone is going to notice that you have to mix their powdered product with water?
Once it's ready to use, it's almost 100% water.
Bleach is fine for mold and mildew.
As there is no insulation above, they went with blanketing the walls.
This also makes this area, since it is in what is called the conditioned envelope, liveable sq footage.
The duct man didn't have to insulate the ducts that way also, it's considered inside the house.
Cut a grill in the sheet metal box next to that step ladder, maybe 6 inches from the floor.
That's a return air box, the air is sucking back into the furnace. 14 x 6, 14 x 8, something like that.
Cut in 2 4x 10 registers in that duct running along the ceiling, that's supply.
This will give you air circulation, and dry that place out.
I wouldn't worry sbout the mold, dry that place out, it's gone.
The water splashing on the outside wall, the gutters need cleaning or attention, if there are any.
If not, install them.
That basement is not that far below grade, believe me, I'm in a lot of them, that's a blank canvas just waiting
for a bedroom or club room.
Post a reply to: Remodeling/construction guys (question)