Get Rid of Mould (or 'Mold' in the U.S.) and Mildew Forever

Golden Mouldies
The joy of conquering rogue fungi

 

Our mudroom recently developed the pong of rot. On the olfactory scale the odour registered somewhere between Teenaged Boy’s Running Shoe and Fried Cabbage.

 

If you sat there for a while you could hear the spores growing.

 

I was putting off dealing with the smell because I had a guilty conscience. The truth is, I had known the roof was leaking during the fall but I ignored it. I kept thinking the cold weather would come soon and the leak would freeze up until spring when, borne on a frenzy of renewed ambition, I would re-shingle the roof.

 

But the cold didn’t come. So the leak persisted. Mould started to colonize on the interior walls.  At first it was a gray blush. Then it turned angry black. Then it reeked.

 

I needed a mould control plan.  And boy did I get one.

Same Mould Story

In older houses with stone foundations, mould comes around so often it might as well be a cousin.

 

And in the damper regions of the planet, like England or Vancouver or my basement, mould is a permanent tenant.

 

The health effects of indoor mould include allergic reactions and respiratory symptoms, and mould also exacerbates asthma. The moisture behind mould can also lead to much bigger and more alarming problems.

 

For example, when I lived in San Francisco worked on a remodel where there was so much moisture damage that when I opened the door to the closet, mushrooms were growing out of the wall.  Mushrooms. Big ones. Ew.   

 

Bleached Wail

In the past, the only treatment for mould or mildew was scrubbing the mould off with a strong solution of bleach and water. But the mould always grew back.  Mould spores are no intellectuals, but they’re crafty.

Paint manufacturers have fought back by adding fungicides to their formulas. This helps to discourage mould growth, but who wants to repaint? Besides, there’s a cutting-edge mould solution that’s much easier (and cheaper).

 

O Happy Spray

I first found out about Concrobium at a building supplies trade show. I was approached by serious men in lab coats and when I realized they weren’t trying to take me away, I stopped screaming and listened to their story. They had invented a revolutionary mould control product. They were so excited their nostrils were slightly dilated. (For scientists, this is totally blowing your cool, but I overlooked it.)

 

The only product of its kind, Concrobium is a spray-on, 100% natural, odourless, biodegradable formulation that costs about $9 a bottle (available at Home Depot home centers and hardware stores).

Concrobium creates an invisible envelope around mould spores, killing existing fungi and preventing new growth. It also eliminates the musty reek of mould and mildew and is safe to use around kids and pets. Concrobium provides continuous protection against mould recurrence.

I washed the mudroom walls, let them dry and then sprayed on the Concrobium.

Result? No mould. No smell. No roof leak either because it’s now colder than a well-digger’s belt buckle. Which just goes to prove the old adage: The only people who like winter are kids, skiers and homeowners with a roof leak.

Comments

[Tracey]

Hi there,

I was just wondering if you still have to take procautions like using masks, goggles etc while using this product?

From all that I've been reading about black toxic mold, it's very dangerous! So I guess this product just seems TOO easy.

Please let me know any other things involved with the clean up.

Thanks in advance,
Tracey

[Don Reykdal]

Hi Mag,

I'm enjoying your web site.

And I was just wondering if you still have to take procautions like using masks, goggles etc while using this mold killing Concrobium spray-on product?

Everything I've read about black toxic mold, it's very dangerous! So I guess this product just seems TOO easy. Also,what product did you use when you washed your walls before using this product. Could a person use household Bleech?

Please let me know all aspects involved with the clean up.

Regards

Don Reykdal
info@moneyzone.ca

[Mag]

Hi there,
No masks or goggles are required with Concrobium. It's not toxic. We didn't have black toxic mold, just black mildew. I know the product seems too easy but it's just a solution of borates, the stuff that Stradivarius soaked his violin lumber in hundreds of years ago, and the reason why his prized instruments still exist. Boric acid compares in toxicity to table salt, so that's why you don't need protective gear.

And yes, Don, I used hot water and bleach in solution - like a cup of bleach to a gallon of hot water. The bleach is strong smelling but it quickly fades. Use gloves and goggles when working with bleach since it tends to splatter.

Concrobium is odourless.

Hope that helps.

Mag

[jives]

Does this work outside on bricks?

[Mag]

No it won't work outside because the salts get washed away in the rain. There are some new formulations coming out that DO stop outdoor mould but as far as I know they haven't been released yet in the States - assuming that's where you are. If you're in Canada let me know and I'll give you some suggestions.

Mag

Mag

[Galliena Gornet]

I guess that's a big lesson learned, huh? Ignoring roof leaks can lead to more problems, which can progress and affect the insides of your house too. Good thing you also presented the bad effects of mold to human health, Meg. If all people only knew that, everyone would treat mold more diligently.