On Feb 19, 5:18 pm, "MiamiCuse" wrote:
On Feb 19, 1:31 pm, "Michael B" wrote:





Don't know where the OP is located, because Miami is not
necessarily the place.
If the wall is chilled in the winter, the moisture will accumulate.
That's the reason for excellent insulating, or the wall will
be a condensate site. And when humidity is above 55%,
mold happens.

On Feb 19, 11:08 am, "Lawrence" wrote:

On Feb 19, 2:36 am, "MiamiCuse" wrote:

In a property I recently purchased, while peeling back one of the bathroom
wallpaper, I found mold behind the wall paper.

Most important is to take a look at the exterior wall on the other
side from the mold. Take a look if you can see where moisture might
be getting in. Do what you can to direct water away from that wall.

This might mean extra soil to build up the ground so that water will
drain way from the house. It might mean effective gutters on that
side of the house. You might also be able to caulk and paint the
siding to further prevent moisture infiltration. After all this is
done, then it it worth it to gut the walls and bring in fans and
heaters to dry out the framing bays. Then you can feel at least
somewhat more confident the situation will not be repeated.

I am in Miami Florida. Lots of rain here and hurricanes. But that
wall is an interior wall and the moisture problem came from the shower
not the exterior weather elements.

In that case there is no downside to gutting the damaged area right
away. Dry is out as best as you can. Scrub with bleach if necessary.
Use a vapor barrier on that wall and use oil based primer and top
coat. In the worst case scenario you may have to remove and replace
some framing.