Mold Removal?
Recently we have looked into buying a home that seems like a great deal, except that there is some major whitish green mold ALL over the basement from the recent melting snow. (the sump pump had been shut down for "winterizing".) Has anyone used the mold removal products available at Home Depot or other homestores? How easy or difficult was it to use? Was it effective or was there lingering or returning mold? Would you reccommend one of these "do it yourself" removal products? Thanks to all for any information you can give us. 
We have already had an inspection of the mold and have recieved estimates in the 5-6 thousand dollar range. The mold is not imbedded into the woodwork or walls of the basement yet, so we are hoping we can do the work ourselves to save money. The property is a bank owned foreclosure and is being sold "as is" so the seller will not fix any problems to make this sale. The home is an incredible deal. The ONLY issue is the mold.
5 or 6 thousand dollars sounds like a contractor is ripping you off, this doesn't sound like a certified mold professional or certified mold removal company that came out to assess the damage.
A Certified mold professional will take air samples and do a thermal imaging of the house/basement and base there results on this, if the mold is not in the dry wall or other hard to get areas the mold removal for this job should be no less than 2 thousand dollars, but I have not personally seen the mold and or/ know what kind of mold it is and where it is growing.
NEVER! try to attempt to do the mold removal unless you know what kind of mold your dealing with if it's toxic mold you don't wear the right suit, full mask face respirator and gloves your putting yourself at risk for VERY serious health effects that may not go away for months or years after full contact with toxic mold while removing it.
If for some reason you can't find a better company for a lower price than your stuck with the big payment but it's well worth it to get it all removed than to have serious chronic health issues from trying to do it yourself and even if you do take the proper steps your not a mold professional and if you miss certain spots or don't kill the mold the first time and it grows back your putting yourself at extreme risk of health problems.
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I had mould in my bathroom really bad, I use pure bleach in a spray bottle, watered down. about 1 to 6 parts. just spray it on the mould and it disappears in no time, no scrubbing…
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Whoa Nelly,
regardless of your method for removing the mold, do not go near purchasing this home without a evaluation for mold, home inspection etc.
If this mold is in the walls, etc. you have bigger problems than getting it off the basement walls.
at this point, proceed VERY cautiously, do not take the sellers or the realtors word for anything !
best of luck,
j
References :
My best advice is to negotiate with the seller on this issue. Tell them you love the house, but would need the mold problem resolved before buying, and you also want that sump pump in working order. I think the "winterizing" thing is bull – usually they’re on all year, unless there is sub-freezing temperatures for some reason in this basement!
If they want to sell this house, this is not an unreasonble request, and they should comply. You want to make sure that there is no mold behind walls or under floors, in places you can’t see!
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10 yrs home repair
Run Baby Run!!!!
Find a house WITHOUT mold, even if it cleared up it will come back.
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If you have your heart set on the house you can use concrobuim mold control .Its a water based formula that kills and prevents mold coming back.It can even be primed and painted over and will still protect from mold.As far as the whole sump pump thing, there is no winterization deal im familiar with (as far as the one in my house) they are always on not always active but they always have power, untill the water level rises which activated the pump to lower the water level.
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House hold experience
Years of hardware retail.
http://www.concrobium.com/
Since the mold has gotten to that level I doubt that you’ll ever be able to get rid of the "musty" odor; the moisture has permeated any porous materials (WOOD) in, and likely above the basement. I personally would pass on it. Don’t trust anybody except a certified lab chemist to examine it, and don’t believe anything you hear from others who stand to benefit from the sale.
References :
5 or 6 thousand dollars sounds like a contractor is ripping you off, this doesn’t sound like a certified mold professional or certified mold removal company that came out to assess the damage.
A Certified mold professional will take air samples and do a thermal imaging of the house/basement and base there results on this, if the mold is not in the dry wall or other hard to get areas the mold removal for this job should be no less than 2 thousand dollars, but I have not personally seen the mold and or/ know what kind of mold it is and where it is growing.
NEVER! try to attempt to do the mold removal unless you know what kind of mold your dealing with if it’s toxic mold you don’t wear the right suit, full mask face respirator and gloves your putting yourself at risk for VERY serious health effects that may not go away for months or years after full contact with toxic mold while removing it.
If for some reason you can’t find a better company for a lower price than your stuck with the big payment but it’s well worth it to get it all removed than to have serious chronic health issues from trying to do it yourself and even if you do take the proper steps your not a mold professional and if you miss certain spots or don’t kill the mold the first time and it grows back your putting yourself at extreme risk of health problems.
References :
Certified Mold Profesisonal, Paramedic and current medical school student.