Building Homes or Extensions/black mold

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Expert: Ted Barnhill (Principal, Design45 LLC) - 11/27/2010


Question

mold
I need help, I have black mold growing on underside of osb flooring at rim joist area. This is a brand new house first winter and rim joist area was uninsulated and its wintertime. (bad condensation). My question is will it be ok to dry it out with high heat 800f(will that kill the mold?)and insulate or do I need to remove mold better. I have pics of before and after, wet,dry and insulated 3" eps caulked around floor joist. Please help I'm in need of immediate assistance.

Answer
John,
You are doing the right thing by addressing this mold issue immediately, and properly.  I don't know if high heat will kill mold, but since it is likely to be growing within the OSB, I doubt that you can achieve temperatures high enough and for long enough to do the job.  Fortunately, there are many products which will kill mold, including household bleach.  There are also several less harsh, more natural options.  Be sure to take care with any of these products, as chemical burns can be severe, and may not appear until the skin contact is over.

As for insulation, I would recommend that you have the rim sprayed with closed cell foam.  The costs have come down considerably, and in your case it would be wise to prevent any air movement whatsoever, both to encapsulate any mold that is left and to prevent any future moisture migration (and resulting mold growth).

Ted Barnhill
Design 45 LLC

Ted Barnhill (Principal, Design45 LLC)

Expertise

I can answer questions about architectural design, how to work with a designer, and best construction practices for most trades. I specialize in cold-climate design (I'm in Minnesota), older home renovation, and energy-efficient/sustainable design.

Experience

As a Principal of Design45, I design and detail new homes and remodels. I am formally trained in architecture, but have also been a contractor and have experience with many trades. I strive to provide beautiful, durable, and efficient homes for clients and communities of all types and budgets.

Education/Credentials
Undergraduate work at Princeton University (Mathematics), Master's work at the University of Minnesota (Architecture)

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