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sparks

Jun 22, 2012, 12:29 PM

Post #1 of 6 (3580 views)

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Mold on palm wood palapa

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The guys that built it treated it for bugs but the wood is still super porous and with a week of steady rain it's starting to mold. I sprayed much of it with a 20-30% mixture of cloro yesterday and it looks good but something else will have to be done when it drys out. Something else is the question

Sparks Mexico - Sparks Costalegre

Bennie García

Jun 22, 2012, 5:05 PM

Post #2 of 6 (3563 views)

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Re: [sparks] Mold on palm wood palapa

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Is the mold because it got wet from the rain (free moisture) or is it just from the bound moisture in the wood?

If it is just getting moldy from its own moisture because it is now in the shade than you can't do much about it except wait until November when the humidity drops. Most of the palm beams sold in your area are still pretty green. It takes some time for them to air dry and with the high humidity of the rainy season it will take a long time to dry.

If it is getting wet from the rain water then you need to fix that problem.

sparks

Jun 22, 2012, 7:07 PM

Post #3 of 6 (3555 views)

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Re: [Bennie García] Mold on palm wood palapa

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No leaks in the palapa and it's only 2 months old. Saw no sign of mold or discoloration until the rains started a week ago and the humidity has been 80-90%. One estimate is we've had 15 inches of rain in the last week

Sparks Mexico - Sparks Costalegre

Sculptari

Jun 24, 2012, 10:18 AM

Post #4 of 6 (3499 views)

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Re: [sparks] Mold on palm wood palapa

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I would recommend a dry steam machine, often called a 'vapor cleaner'. I see one advertised on Mexican TV all the time. They come in a varierty of models. They kill molds to the roots - so it is not a permanent solution. The steamer is also good for burrowing insects, land crabs and garden weeds (it cooks and kills them). It is also great for cleaning mildew, like grout, fridge rubber, etc. I'm starting sound like a vacuum cleaner salesman!

The permanent solution is to seal the wood when it is dry, the secret is to find one with a non-glossy look - unless you like that shiny, varnished look.

You just acquired something which will need regular maintenance.

sparks

Jun 24, 2012, 12:52 PM

Post #5 of 6 (3487 views)

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Re: [Sculptari] Mold on palm wood palapa

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So far the bleach spray works well and I'll stick with that for the time being.

Yes the tree was live when they cut it 2 days before building so I'm assuming a minimum of 3-4 more months to dry if we we don't have a lot more rain.

Lots of sealers out there so I'll be looking around over the next few months

Sparks Mexico - Sparks Costalegre

Bennie García

Jun 24, 2012, 6:33 PM

Post #6 of 6 (3463 views)

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Re: [sparks] Mold on palm wood palapa

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It won't get dry until well after the rainy season like next May. Since it was freshly milled prior to installing it has a very high moisture content. And it can only get as the air. Plus no sunshine can reach it. When you seal it I would use a silicone based sealer that won't change the appearance. Unless you like the varnished look, then that will work also.