I've recently bought a fixer-upper from the 50s that's been dealing with excessive moisture and has mold in all the bathrooms. We're planning a major renovation and will likely tear out about 75-90% of the drywall. My contractor suggested just removing the bad drywall and spraying the 2x4s with a 50/50 bleach-water mix. However, I'm seeing a lot of conflicting opinions online about the best mold remediation practices. Some people recommend calling in professionals, while others say DIY methods are fine. What's the right approach to ensure we're handling this safely and effectively? Any advice or tips would be really appreciated!
3 Answers
I totally agree with not using bleach! It just doesn't do the job properly. You really need to focus on stopping any water intrusion, then treat the mold with the right products. It’s not necessary to tear out everything if moisture is controlled. A lot of mold remediation advice online is driven by fear tactics, so make sure you’re following reliable sources.
You shouldn't rely on contractors who advise using bleach for mold! It's actually better to use a commercial moldicide instead. Bleach can just spread spores into the air and make things worse. Proper mold remediation involves wearing PPE, using negative air machines with HEPA filters, and HEPA vacuuming all surfaces after demo. Just removing the drywall isn't enough if moisture isn't fully dealt with first, so make sure you've fixed the underlying issue before anything else.
Yeah, I'd definitely pass on bleach. Instead, just remove the moldy drywall and insulation, then use a commercial mold killer. Let everything dry completely before putting up new drywall. I think a lot of the fear surrounding mold spores is exaggerated by social media. As long as you handle the moisture issue first, this should be a pretty manageable task.