I have a window that's been leaking and now there's mold. I can't replace the window right now (probably not for a few weeks or a month), so my focus is on getting this moldy section of sheet rock out. My question is, should I just cut that panel and toss it or should I try to cover it with something first so I don't disturb the spores?
if you're worried about spores then just cover all of the spots with duct tape before cutting the piece out
Clean and kill it with vinegar. Then remove it.
You’re moronic. The spores will spread regardless, unless cleaned and killed.
>The spores will spread regardless
so mold spores can phase through solid matter? quit spreading the irrational fear of big bad mold
thank you. It's near my heat return so I'm pretty concerned. I want to just remove the panel entirely. It's a small (1x3 maybe) sheet. I was going to have to replace all the sheetrock around the window anyway when I put a new window in this spring
For that small size of leak you don't really need to overthink it. Just open the windows for ventilation, wear an N95, and try to remove the moldy material in large solid pieces if possible. This will keep spores to a minimum.
Any reason why OP cant soak the wall in bleach for a few days? Just make a 10% solution in a spray bottle and spray the walls down. Make sure to wipe up any excess. After a few days the mold disappears but this wont stop it from growing inside the wall so you should cut it out and replace it soon. Also your house will smell like bleach since its near the return vent.
vinegar works better than bleach on porous surfaces
this is what I've read
definitely going to do this (but with vinegar)
>definitely going to do this (but with vinegar)
use borax instead, bro
It doesn't smell (unlike bleach and vinegar) and it soaks in and leaves a residual effect, unlike both vinegar and bleach which dissipate rapidly
borax and water paste?
The problem with this is that you soak the drywall in water, which breaks it down and makes removal as a solid piece more difficult. If you want to use liquid to kill the mold, then you should apply it, let it sit for the recommended time period (eg. a couple minutes for bleach) and then begin the demolition immediately. Leaving it for days just leads to more problems.
i have lived in a very humid house for a long time,
first spray diluted bleach to kill the spores, then you work on it. Is possible that the bleach on itself will make the wall look decent again so you can wait until you change the window
>it. Is possible that the bleach on itself will make the wall look decent again so you can wait until you change the window
cool. I think I'd prefer to get that piece out of here even if it's still ok to be inside. I'll just tack something up temporarily