Forums > Specific Focus > Home, Garden & Construction in Mexico

brokenkettle

Sep 1, 2008, 7:25 AM

Post #1 of 8 (10162 views)

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mold problems in our winter home in Jalisco

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We have learned from friends who overlook our property in Mexico that our home has mold growing in the ceiling, apparently in the grout. There is also mold on the floor tile, and other flat surfaces in the house.

As we are here in the States until late November, we just hope someone out there might have an idea about how to kill the mold and curtail it until the end of the rainy season.

Of course we need to learn why the problem has evolved. The house is about twenty years old, never had roof problems, and has remained dry in the past. However, I am wondering if the time has come to put a new surface on the roof (flat) in hopes that it might solve the problem.

Any thoughts out there would be very much appreciated!

cristalhombre

Sep 1, 2008, 9:15 AM

Post #2 of 8 (10137 views)

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Re: [brokenkettle] mold problems in our winter home in Jalisco

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Could be that you have a roof problem? But I would start by simply opening a couple of windows. Molds grow easily in a closed environment with limited humidity. Some cross ventilation - air flow might solve this.

"NOT ALL WHO WANDER ARE LOST...."

brokenkettle

Sep 1, 2008, 10:45 AM

Post #3 of 8 (10124 views)

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Re: [brokenkettle] mold problems in our winter home in Jalisco

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Wish it were that easy. They have been opening windows and running fans for a while now. Thanks for the quick reply, though.

jl1

Sep 1, 2008, 11:26 AM

Post #4 of 8 (10121 views)

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Re: [brokenkettle] mold problems in our winter home in Jalisco

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I think they were referring to using ventilation as a preventive measure, not after the fact. Once the mold is established, ventilation will not make it go away. If it is only in the grout, a mild solution of bleach and water, applied while wearing masks and goggles might do the trick.

IslaZina

Sep 1, 2008, 11:42 AM

Post #5 of 8 (10120 views)

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Re: [jl1] mold problems in our winter home in Jalisco

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Hire an experienced local muchacho to do the bleach cleaning. Consider sealing your roof roof with 5-year sealant after bleaching it too. And I agree about opening the windows! You might also try Walmart or a Costcp for granules that aborb ambient moisture into the bowl they are placed in. That requires mutliple bowls and frequent changing and is only good if your mold is under control.
http://islazina@blogspot.com

robrt8

Sep 1, 2008, 1:36 PM

Post #6 of 8 (10111 views)

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Re: [IslaZina] mold problems in our winter home in Jalisco

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Has someone gone up top to see if the drains are clogged?

Willie1

Oct 20, 2008, 8:33 AM

Post #7 of 8 (10019 views)

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Re: [robrt8] mold problems in our winter home in Jalisco

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We purchased -many years ago - lov voltage rods that plug in which we keep in our closet in Mazatlan, year 'round & they work wonderfully. In fact, in the summer, it feels cooler in the closet than in the house, due to the lower humidity! Another thing you can do is to leave on a light or 2, the small amount of heat they produce might help eliminate the moisture. We used to use the crystals on our boat, but what pain in the a^% they were to keep emptying...very messy & in the end quite expensive!

Good luck.

Moisheh

Oct 31, 2008, 6:33 PM

Post #8 of 8 (9974 views)

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Re: [Willie1] mold problems in our winter home in Jalisco

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Please give me an explanation of your roof construction. You mentioned grout in the ceiling. Is the ceiling tiled? Is your roof concrete? Does it have any foam insualtion, either sheet form or spray on. There are many things you can do but I suspect you have a roof leak. Our home in Kino has no mold problems and the summer heat here is 100 degrees with 80 plus humidity. If you are going to apply impereabilizante do not buy any cheap stuff. Impac makes one of the better products but I would get the Gold 10 year. It should be installed with an underlying tella. More info would help with a better answer.

Moisheh