Treating mold and rot

[Netspud2K]

Hi All,


First time poster, so I hope I am in the right area.


My son has just purchased a house that had a pipe burst in the loft, and has sat for years since (water was turned off after soaking most of the house). The mould is through most of the house, we are in the process of ripping out all the plasterboard, insulation etc.


We will be essentially left with bare wooden studs, beams, floorboards (which shockingly appear to be OK) and the mains rings.


We now need to treat the wood for any mold, and potential rot etc.


I've been looking at this type of stuff "Everbuild Triple Action Wood Treatment", but I noted it can't be applied to felt or plastic (so this would be a problem for roof felt and wires I assume). We need to use something that can be sprayed on, because we need to do a whole house, scrubbing is a defo no, and painting stuff on is not going to be fun. And yes I know how nasty this type of stuff is to use. I have had to use similar stuff for wood worm on a different job.


We have had the house checked and there doesn't appear to be any significant rot, but anyone can see the mold is everywhere.


Looking for suggestions for the best (and hopefully cheaper) solution, please.


Thank you in advance.

[randlemarcus]

White vinegar? Kills mould spores, unlike bleach, which feeds some sorts.

[LooneyTunes]

Netspud2K said:

I've been looking at this type of stuff "Everbuild Triple Action Wood Treatment", but I noted it can't be applied to felt or plastic (so this would be a problem for roof felt and wires I assume). We need to use something that can be sprayed on, because we need to do a whole house, scrubbing is a defo no, and painting stuff on is not going to be fun. And yes I know how nasty this type of stuff is to use. I have had to use similar stuff for wood worm on a different job.

We have had the house checked and there doesn't appear to be any significant rot, but anyone can see the mold is everywhere.

Looking for suggestions for the best (and hopefully cheaper) solution, please.

You can also brush the everbuild stuff on in areas where you can’t spray. Perhaps consider masking off any small areas you don’t want to spray?

It’s also much cheaper if you buy it in 20/25l drums than the screwfix/toolstation sized tins. Don’t trust their leadtimes though. Waited ages for some quite recently when it was always just a few days away.

Astonishingly it claims to be quite safe, but I wouldn’t be spraying it without a decent respirator.

[Simpo Two]

LooneyTunes said:

Astonishingly it claims to be quite safe, but I wouldn’t be spraying it without a decent respirator.

You can download safety info at https://www.everbuild.co.uk/products/wood-care-and...

The word 'safe' is slippery at any time because nothing can be proven 'safe' - crossing the road being an example. The important thing is to use the product (I speak generally of all pesticides) in accordance with the instructions, because that's what's been tested.

Would you want 'triple action' wood treatment if the only problem is mould? You might be spraying insecticide around needlessly, and generally those are the nastiest ones.

Edited by Simpo Two on Monday 22 April 18:55

[Netspud2K]

I want something that will deal with mold, and to holt any rot that may have set in and I/the inspection have missed. I am not an expert at finding rotting wood.

And yes I have a full face mask with the appropriate organic vapor filters for it, I think it's abek are the required filter letters.

[C Lee Farquar]

There will be little benefit in treating the rot, removing the source of moisture does that. In addition, the timbers at most risk will be embedded in the masonry and inaccessible for treatment.

The mould can be treated by scrubbing with a bleach solution, which is the active ingredient of the more expensive branded products.