Help with mildew

Question

We have a 1950's brick ranch with only Celotex for insulation. I have discovered mildew where the ceiling and walls meet on the outside corners of the rooms. We have installed soffit vents every 2 ft and have a ridge vent the length of the roof. We have insulated the attic the best that we could, having a hip roof with a very slight incline makes it hard to get to the edges very well. Is it the lack of insulation in the walls that is causing this? If so, If I cut patches of wall paper off, drill through the plaster and blow in some insulation, do you think this would work? I don't want to remove the wall paper, I love it and it was very expensive. I thought then I could replace the wall paper over the patched hole. I am at a loss, no one seems to have an answer for me.

Michelle · Answer

time for professionals, you don't want to continue with patch jobs. I have a 50's house and eventually new insulation and removing the aluminum siding will be replace with vinyl siding. Once mildew begins it will spread. Get 3 estimates and lots of references

SLS Construction & Building Solutions LLC · Answer

The first thing is you need to control the moisture in your house - the moisture in the air is condensing on that nice cool corner. For more on this: http://thehtrc.com/2015/faq-window-wall-condensation-iced Try wiping down the areas with a mildewcide & hope that it hasn't gotten to far Do I take it you recently had the roof done with ventilation added? Did they put baffles in each bay? That will allow for you to insulate that area better without causing problems with insulation touching the sheathing, etc... Did you close off the gables? Insulation in the walls - first I am not sure what you mean by celotex is all you have. You really want to know how to insulate the walls, you need someone in there to see what you have & how to do it - whether it is blown in insulation via small holes drilled in, etc...

Mandy Brown · Answer

Do you know when the celotex was installed?  I'm assuming when the house was built. Celotex contains asbestos and that company went bankrupt fighting lawsuits over asbestos-related deaths and damages back in the 80's or 90's and eventually sold out to a British based company. That type of wall board insulation sold in the US today is usually made by Owens Corning (the Pink Panther kind).  You might want to ask a contractor about it. I know the City of New York and several others sued and won because it was installed in schools and there was a chance that fibers could get into the heating/cooling vents. That doesn't mean that you have the same type.

Pam Bednar-Huff · Answer

Thanks for responding....the ventilation, vents in soffits/ridge vent, were done on the current roof, not the new one we are planning on. We are scheduled for late winter, early spring. Gables are not closed. 
 I'm surprise the you are unfamiliar with Celotex! Maybe my age is showing! Celotex is or was a 4 x 8 sheet of black treated stuff, not sure what the contents are, cardboard or maybe paper. I really don't know what it is made of. But when the home was built they didn't use much insulation. The walls consist of the following: 
 1 brick 
 2 celotex 
 3 studs 
 4 plastered walls 
 All there is is about a 2 inch void between the Celotex and the plaster. Pretty cut and dried. 
 If you have any other suggestions, please post.
Forgot to mention the paint on the ceiling in the mildewed areas is now peeling.

Diana Deiley · Answer

I agree, seek professional assistance. Do not live with mold in the house. 
Best of luck.

DORLIS · Answer

oUR HOUSE WAS BUILT IN 1980AND WE HAVE A DEHUMIDIFIER IN THE BASEMENT. tHE ONLY TIME WE HAD A PROBLEM WAS WHEN THE PIPE FROM THE WELL INTO THE HOUSE SPRUNG A PINHOLE LEAK. tHE ONLY PLACE WE HAD ANY MOLD DEVELOPE WAS AT THE BOTTOM OF A WALLBOARD MY FATHER HAD PUT IN TO MAKE A CRAFT ROOM. i HAVE SPRAYED WITH CLOROX AND SPRAY PAINTED THE BASE OF THAT WALL TO SEAL IT AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEM SINCE.

Johnchip · Answer

It seems you have hired professionals to do the new roofing, make sure they address the entire issue, including the possible need to extend your budget and re-insulate to modern code. This asbestos product my not be 'friable' so don't let it scare you off just yet. Also there are government tax programs that can be of help. And remember, the house is your biggest investment and when resale time comes, which it will, all these issues will take more from your pocket down the line than to fix them right.

Lulu · Answer

clorox is great for stopping mold and clearing it up

Help with mildew

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Help with mildew

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