Re:Mold Prevention Techniques / Insulation Compaction

[Guest guest]

Re: RSMC- Mold Coalition site

<http://www.responsiblemoldsolutions.org/whatismold.htm>

At that site there is a statement that a sign of

possible mold problems is 'compacted insulation'.

Does anyone know why compacted insulation would

be a sign of mold??

>>

Myth: Once mold starts, it will always be present

Answer: Mold can be stopped in its tracks, but

only if moisture is minimized or eliminated.

Therefore, leaks should be corrected as soon as

they become apparent. Building experts urge

homeowners to be aware of some of the telltale

signs of mold, which include:

....dampness, odors, discoloration, peeling paint,

condensation, ***compacted insulation (?)and

actual mold outbreaks.

>

[Guest guest]

Barb,

You probably mean reducing new mold growth by removing one, usually the

main, source of water, right?

If you can get the humidity inside the wall below 40% then you have probably

stopped new mold growth " in its tracks " yes.

Buying energy efficient windows would probably dramatically reduce moisture

in that respect.

But if you have existing mold inside of your walls, which is/was making you

ill, you really should either clean it out or seal it up very well, which is

hard. It all depends on your tolerance level and ability to do the cleanup

yourself or pay others to do it.

Many species of mold can continue to grow on levels of humidity routinely

found in homes, anything above 50%.

The humidity inside of walls is often MUCH higher than either interior or

exterior humidity. Also, mold left inside of walls can continue to be both

allergenic and toxic.

I think that if you really thought it through, it probably is possible in

many areas like the Southwest to completely stop NEW mold growth, there is

still a strong probability that at least some of the contents of any

existing mold reservoirs inside of the walls would continue to communicate

via tiny holes with the living spaces, especially for the smaller particle

sizes.

That may or may not be a problem. It depends on how bad it is and how big

and many the holes are..

Read those crawlspace papers I posted links to last week, they go into

length about under what conditions the leaks happen and what can stop them..

(slightly pressurizing the living space seems to be the only way)

Actually, many species of mold can

On 12/17/06, bbw <barb1283@...> wrote:

>

> Re: RSMC- Mold Coalition site

>

> <http://www.responsiblemoldsolutions.org/whatismold.htm>

>

> At that site there is a statement that a sign of

> possible mold problems is 'compacted insulation'.

> Does anyone know why compacted insulation would

> be a sign of mold??

>

> >>

> Myth: Once mold starts, it will always be present

>

> Answer: Mold can be stopped in its tracks, but

> only if moisture is minimized or eliminated.

> Therefore, leaks should be corrected as soon as

> they become apparent. Building experts urge

> homeowners to be aware of some of the telltale

> signs of mold, which include:

> ...dampness, odors, discoloration, peeling paint,

> condensation, ***compacted insulation (?)and

> actual mold outbreaks.

>

> >

>

>

[Guest guest]

They are pointing out that water makes some (fluffy) kinds of

insulation clump up...

With fiberglass though, it would probably depend on how much was there

in the first place and how it was attached to whatever it was attached

to or stuffed into..