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

Carianna

Jan 18, 2008, 8:14 PM

Post #1 of 17 (8071 views)

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Mold removal from exterior walls

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Hi, all

I live on Cozumel. Humidity is hideous year round. Black and red mold really loves the soft plaster and plastic Mapla coating we used to cover the walls instead of paint. I've tried bleaching and that takes away the color but it always comes back. Research on the internet seems to indicate a fairly new product called Concrobium Mold Control for killing mildew/mold and also keeping it away. Supposedly 'encapsulizes' the mold so it can no longer grow and was used a lot after Katrina in the U.S. South.

Anyone know if this is available yet in Mexico and, if so, where to get it? Bleach is so toxic, hurts the plants and I don't think it works all that well.

I will continue to do the research and report anything I find. But I would love any input.

Thanks in advance
Carianna on Cozumel

girdhar

Feb 6, 2008, 4:25 AM

Post #2 of 17 (8017 views)

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Re: [Carianna] Mold removal from exterior walls

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Hi,
I found one product named Kair MAE.I sure that would assist you.You just have to add 50ml in the paint of emulation of 2.5liter .paint

marvin_smith

Sep 19, 2012, 4:56 AM

Post #3 of 17 (5581 views)

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Re: [Carianna] Mold removal from exterior walls

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Mold is easily removed by using vinegar. Just spray some vinegar outside the wall and then wash it after 4-5 hours, meanwhile also scrub it with a long handled brush or sponge. Don't forget using mask and gloves.

(This post was edited by tonyburton on Sep 19, 2012, 9:10 AM)

Vichil

Sep 19, 2012, 7:56 PM

Post #4 of 17 (5527 views)

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Re: [Carianna] Mold removal from exterior walls

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funny you asked.
I have been using chlorine and it is hard work and does not work that well. I washed the bricks with Oxy clean and it is hard work as well. Tomorrow I will use vinegar..The locals tell me to use muriatic acid which is the standard answer on how to clean tiles but I hate using it.
What do the local say in Cozumel or Merida for that matter?

YucaLandia

Sep 19, 2012, 9:53 PM

Post #5 of 17 (5520 views)

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Re: [Carianna] Mold removal from exterior walls

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Bleach etc do not work well on the black stuff that grows on exterior walls in the Yucatan peninsula, because the black stuff is not mold. It is actually symbiotic colonies of algae and dynoflagellates. Notice that our black stuff grows readily on surfaces exposed to direct sunlight, where sunlight kills mold but algae love the sunlight.

Knowing the actual problem helps point to the solutions. We use a pressure washer to blast off the algae/dynoflagellate colonies. 4 years later, the paint is still fine.

Note: locals here may call it "moho" for mold, but they don't actually know what it is.
-
Read-on MacDuff
E-visit at http://yucalandia.com

Vichil

Sep 20, 2012, 5:31 AM

Post #6 of 17 (5512 views)

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Re: [YucaLandia] Mold removal from exterior walls

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If you did not have a pressure washer what would you use?

robt65

Sep 20, 2012, 7:17 AM

Post #7 of 17 (5504 views)

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Re: [Vichil] Mold removal from exterior walls

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Hi Vichil,

Most cities even smaller cities have a tool rental company where you can usually rent a small pressure washer that should do the trick. If you can't find one near you ask around and usually a neighbor or other person in your pueblo will have one and for a few pesos will be happy to do the work for you. Just put the word out at your local "Construama" and they will usually be able to hook you up with a person that has one.

Regards,

robt65

Vichil

Sep 20, 2012, 8:13 AM

Post #8 of 17 (5495 views)

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Re: [robt65] Mold removal from exterior walls

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There is no retal place in that area and my neighbors do not have pwer washer, this is nota place where you have many foreigners , no forum either.

DavidMcL

Sep 20, 2012, 12:02 PM

Post #9 of 17 (5472 views)

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Re: [Vichil] Mold removal from exterior walls

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What we have found very effective is vinegar and tea tree oil in a 1 cup vinegar to1 teaspoon tea tree oil ratio.
Spray on, wait a couple of hours and then wash off with either hose, power washer or hand power.

kills and prevents.

David
David McL
WebJefe

sfmacaws

Sep 20, 2012, 3:01 PM

Post #10 of 17 (5458 views)

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Re: [Vichil] Mold removal from exterior walls

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there is a reason the locals use muriatic acid, it works. Use a mask if you want and keep the area well ventilated. A spray of m.a. and a strong brush will take it off.

Jonna - Mérida, Yucatán

GringoCArlos

Sep 20, 2012, 7:32 PM

Post #11 of 17 (5437 views)

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Re: [Vichil] Mold removal from exterior walls

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If using muriatic acid is not your kind of thing, you could check with someone who cleans out tanks (aljibes) - many of them use a pressure washer (hidrolavadora de presión) in their work and could probably come to do any type of cleaning that would require a pressure washer.

In the Chapala/Ajijic area, John has some on his recommended list.

(This post was edited by GringoCArlos on Sep 20, 2012, 7:33 PM)

Vichil

Sep 20, 2012, 8:02 PM

Post #12 of 17 (5429 views)

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Re: [GringoCArlos] Mold removal from exterior walls

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The problem I have is in Chiapas not Ajijic and I do no know a plumber with a power washer but I will try the muriatic acid .

sparks

Sep 20, 2012, 8:22 PM

Post #13 of 17 (5426 views)

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Re: [Vichil] Mold removal from exterior walls

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Gloves !!!

Sparks Mexico - Sparks Costalegre

Vichil

Sep 20, 2012, 9:43 PM

Post #14 of 17 (5419 views)

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Re: [sparks] Mold removal from exterior walls

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I wear gloves for that type of work bu hate the smell of muriaic acid...a least I will be outside.

sfmacaws

Sep 21, 2012, 12:06 PM

Post #15 of 17 (5391 views)

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Re: [Vichil] Mold removal from exterior walls

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I doubt there are a lot of swimming pools there but there should be people who clean out tinacos and cisternas as mentioned above. I'd ask around for that and hire them, it's a grungy job but not as bad as getting into a cisterna. Here, the pool guys will use m.a. to clean the tiles on empty pools and there are guys who clean cisternas and tinacos. It would have to be really bad for me to think about doing it myself.

Jonna - Mérida, Yucatán

Sculptari

Sep 21, 2012, 1:25 PM

Post #16 of 17 (5382 views)

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Re: [sfmacaws] Mold removal from exterior walls

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I'm going to post about dry steam, vapor cleaners, again! It is superheated steam (275 degrees F), and about 65 p.s.i. It works by cooking the algae/mold right down to the roots, and then the blast pushes it out of it's hidey hole. Most other techniques just lop the top off, leaving the roots. The pressure washers can cause a lot of damage in the wrong hands if you have masonry joints, like stone or brick. Many of these machines go up to pressures of 2,000 psi plus - that is way too high, about 99 should be the max. This mortar should be softer than the stonework or brick, so that if there is any shifting, the joint gives way - not breaking or cracking the block. The water can weaken or wash out the mortar. Anyways - the best part - no chemicals! No cleanup of puddles (in Vancouver, all water used in pressure washing must be picked up) Finding a unit in Mexico requires hunting on mercado libre.

These machines are finding their way all over North America now. There may be a service near you. They are also about the only way to quickly remove years of chewing gum from streets and malls.
no longer active on Mexconnect

micahmilton

Jun 16, 2013, 9:53 PM

Post #17 of 17 (1876 views)

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Re: [Sculptari] Mold removal from exterior walls

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You can scrub away the surface mold common to bathrooms, decks and siding in a matter of minutes with a 1-to-8 bleach/water solution. But often mold grows and spreads in places you don't notice, until you spot surface staining, feel mushy drywall or detect that musty smell.
mold south Florida