Best solution for wet/moist crawl space...

[CEE1NG_RED]

Hello. What is the best solution to dry up moist/wet crawl space ground after the repair of a main line?? I hear cat litter, lime, but what is best and if possible cost effective? Lastly, what solution do you use to remove some minor black mold that can be assessable in stores? Thank you...

 

[plbgbiz]

Lime and airflow for the dirty waste water and left over moisture.

Chemicals do not remove mold. The materials affected (wood, drywall, etc..) has to be dry, sanded, and vacuumed with a HEPA vacuum that you really do not want to buy. This is not the HEPA you see on Hoovers at WalMart. A really cheap one will be $500-$1,000. Or the material must be removed and replaced.

 

[Mr_David]

Hello. What is the best solution to dry up moist/wet crawl space ground after the repair of a main line?? I hear cat litter, lime, but what is best and if possible cost effective? Lastly, what solution do you use to remove some minor black mold that can be assessable in stores? Thank you...

bleach diluted with water

 

[plbgbiz]

Bleach is not effective for mold remediation.

 

[frodo]

Bleach is not effective for mold remediation.

yes it is, use 1/2 bleach 1/2 water in a sprayer. [I use 100% bleach, cause i'm cool] [respirator]

spray all surfaces, coat the area with lime, set up fans and air it out
only time will get rid of smell.

there is no "magic" over the counter remedy. all you can do is control the enzymes with lime
and let water evaperate

air flow and time

 

[plbgbiz]

A close friend of mine teaches mold remediation at two colleges. According to the mold remediation industry which is held to specific scientific standards....

Bleach is anti-bacterial, not anti-fungal.

 

[plbgbiz]

If by chance the mold is only on non-porous hard surfaces such as tile or porcelain, then sodium hypochlorite (household chlorine bleach) can be effective.

It is ineffective on porous surfaces such as wood, carpet, and drywall because it fails to get to the roots of the mold. Thus allowing it to regrow.

The EPA has removed bleach from its recommended methods for mold cleanup. The CDC states it is only for hard (non-porous) surfaces. Even then, with only a 1 cup to 1 gallon ratio.

"... Mold growth can be removed from hard surfaces with commercial products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water."
http://www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm

 

[frodo]

with all due respect. Mr. plbgbiz I disagree.


screw the cdc. they say it does not work. my 35 years of experience says it does. those pencil pushing idiots do not know there hand from the butt.

1 cup to 1 gallon is the reason it is not effective. they are afraid someone will breath the fumes and get sic. like i posted
use bleach AND a respirator at a 50/50 solution or MORE it will get into the porous cracks and crevious
ITS POROUS of course it will get into the cracks

it will kill mold on wood. I have done it. it will kill mold on concrete, brick. I have done it


bleach is anti bacterial AND antifungal

 

[plbgbiz]

Also with respect Frodo...

Bleach does not remediate the mold. It bleaches the stain. Because chlorine does not soak into porous materials very well, only the water soaks into the material. Actually it stands a better chance of feeding the roots, rather than killing them.

Besides the EPA, OSHA, and the CDC, this is One of countless other sources...
http://rhinohide.com/never-use-bleach-clean-mold

Bleach being effective in remediating mold on porous surfaces is a very common misconception. Bear in mind, we are talking about toxic types of mold, not simple bathroom mildew.

Supposed success in toxic mold removal by bleach can be more accurately attributed to the bleaching out of the stain and elimination of the moisture. But the spores are still there, just waiting for humidity to show up again.

 

[CEE1NG_RED]

...ok. So cat liter is not a good solution to absorb the muddy crawl space? I was thinking of applying lime after the cat liter dries up the area. :T Anyways, will heat kill these molds like a heat gun, LOL!

 

[plbgbiz]

...ok. So cat liter is not a good solution to absorb the muddy crawl space? I was thinking of applying lime after the cat liter dries up the area. :T Anyways, will heat kill these molds like a heat gun, LOL!

No, no, and no.

If the source of the water has ben remedied, and lime/air flow is not producing quick enough results, then you need to bring in a professional. Cat litter will retain the moisture which is the exact opposite of what you are trying to accomplish.

If mold has gotten a foothold, you are not going to find a quick fix at the dollar store. If you get the area perfectly dry, bleach will remove color from the stains but you will still have the roots of the mold imbedded in the wood and drywall. With the least amount of moisture in that area in the future, it will return with a vengeance.

 

[journeyman]

or you could call a restoration company that deals with that kind of stuff so you dont have to.

 

[plbgbiz]

or you could call a restoration company that deals with that kind of stuff so you dont have to.

And on the 8th day, God created homeowner's insurance.

 

[CEE1NG_RED]

Will this be effective enough?? HomeDepot has a Lime 30lb sack that coves 5,000 sq ft.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Penningt...-SearchPLPHorizontal1_rr-_-NA-_-202246360-_-N

Or any of these other bags??

http://www.homedepot.com/b/Outdoors...nded/Ntt-lime?Ntx=mode+matchpartialmax&NCNI-5

Lowes

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...gId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...gId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1