Mold Damage Removal Advice

[Jessica Mendez]

Hello my husband I just bought our first property to fix in Jacksonville Florida. The roof had a leak and now there is water damage and mold, anyone has recommendations on either fixing/removing the mold ourselves or a cheap mold specialist? Thank You! Jessica

[Robert Rayford]

@Jessica Mendez. Be very careful in the term you use in describing "mold". In most areas of the country this word can cause many problems. Here in California and the west cost a mold issue can attach its self to a property under the disclosures until a certified mold abatement professional removes it. VERY EXPENSIVE! I have found the in the Southeast area's of the country including Jacksonville it is approached more lightly.  For now on refer to this issue as mildew or staining. The last thing you want is for someone with respiratory problems to say they got it after buying your house and it wasn't disclosed that there was a prior mold issue.  Now removing it, while wearing a mask spray the area with a 50/50 bleach solution. Let it stand for 24hrs. After the waiting period go in and remove the stained damaged material. Go to H.D or your local hardware store and purchase mold/mildew remover and abatement spray which should be a bleach free product. Zeps make a good product.  If is a bleached based solution don't buy. These products contain over 80% water and the bleach corrodes the nails and hardware This product will not bleach the stain but it will kill the spores. Treat all remaining material including wood stud, drywall and surrounding areas. It would be a good ideal to paint all treated areas with a stain blocking primer including the wood members, studs and sub-flooring if affected. After complete drying proceed with your rehab. Good luck and have fun with it. If you need any other advise feel free to reach out to me. Also, remember to take pics as you go as proof of the work.