We just bought our house a year ago and the previous owners put up a
wallpaper trim on the top of the bathroom walls, including over the
shower area. The bathroom for some reason doesn't have an exhaust fan
so we got a dehumidifier, but the wallpaper trim is starting to show
dark spots, which I suspect are mold.
Would it be worthwhile to try and bleach the wallpaper as a temporary
solution? The bathroom is probably going to be remodelled in a few
months. Or should we rip down the trim as soon as possible?

Stacia

On Tue, 20 Feb 2007 09:08:07 +0000 (UTC), (Stacia)
wrote:

We just bought our house a year ago and the previous owners put up a
wallpaper trim on the top of the bathroom walls, including over the
shower area. The bathroom for some reason doesn't have an exhaust fan
so we got a dehumidifier, but the wallpaper trim is starting to show
dark spots, which I suspect are mold.
Would it be worthwhile to try and bleach the wallpaper as a temporary
solution? The bathroom is probably going to be remodelled in a few
months. Or should we rip down the trim as soon as possible?

Stacia


I suspect the former owner had a persistent mold problem and used wall
paper to cover it up for the sale as it was visually more effective
than clean and repaint. It will better to remove the wallpaper and
hopefully dry out the wall as much as possible before your
remodelling. If you can check behind the drywall for hidden moisture
damage.

Stacia wrote:
We just bought our house a year ago and the previous owners put up a
wallpaper trim on the top of the bathroom walls, including over the
shower area. The bathroom for some reason doesn't have an exhaust fan
so we got a dehumidifier, but the wallpaper trim is starting to show
dark spots, which I suspect are mold.
Would it be worthwhile to try and bleach the wallpaper as a temporary
solution? The bathroom is probably going to be remodelled in a few
months. Or should we rip down the trim as soon as possible?

Stacia


Just use your normal method of cleaning and add a little bleach to the
wash solution. If you are remodeling in a few months, it isn't worth a
lot of bother now. If you like doing bothersome work, it might help
keep humidity down to squeegee shower stall and take out damp towels ..
I'm not that ambitious.

On Feb 20, 4:08 am, (Stacia) wrote:
We just bought our house a year ago and the previous owners put up a
wallpaper trim on the top of the bathroom walls, including over the
shower area. The bathroom for some reason doesn't have an exhaust fan
so we got a dehumidifier, but the wallpaper trim is starting to show
dark spots, which I suspect are mold.
Would it be worthwhile to try and bleach the wallpaper as a temporary
solution? The bathroom is probably going to be remodelled in a few
months. Or should we rip down the trim as soon as possible?

Stacia


check the attic for roof water leak stains.
also, carefully: using a hole saw drill attachment drill a hole in the
problem area and have a look inside the wall cavity with a bright
small flashlight and inexpensive small pocket mirror.

On Feb 20, 3:08 am, (Stacia) wrote:
We just bought our house a year ago and the previous owners put up a
wallpaper trim on the top of the bathroom walls, including over the
shower area. The bathroom for some reason doesn't have an exhaust fan
so we got a dehumidifier, but the wallpaper trim is starting to show
dark spots, which I suspect are mold.
Would it be worthwhile to try and bleach the wallpaper as a temporary
solution? The bathroom is probably going to be remodelled in a few
months. Or should we rip down the trim as soon as possible?

If it was me I would go ahead an remove the wallpaper there are
several methods. If the trim is in the way then remove it as well.
When the remodel occurs be sure to have an exhaust fan installed and
make sure it is vented directly outside an not into the attic.

On Feb 20, 3:08 am, (Stacia) wrote:
We just bought our house a year ago and the previous owners put up a
wallpaper trim on the top of the bathroom walls, including over the
shower area. The bathroom for some reason doesn't have an exhaust fan
so we got a dehumidifier, but the wallpaper trim is starting to show
dark spots, which I suspect are mold.
Would it be worthwhile to try and bleach the wallpaper as a temporary
solution? The bathroom is probably going to be remodelled in a few
months. Or should we rip down the trim as soon as possible?

Stacia

Whatever you decide to do temporarily, when you remodel be sure to
install a top quality exhaust fan with a decent exterior vent pipe and
dampers, then get rid of as much of the present drywall in the
bathroom as you can and replace it with mold resistant drywall. Mold
has been known to grow on ordinary drywall compounds in the past, so
using a settimg type compound might be best. Treating the exposed
studs and other accessible areas with a mold killing solution should
be considered before the drywall goes up. HTH

Joe

On Tue, 20 Feb 2007 09:08:07 +0000 (UTC), (Stacia)
wrote:

We just bought our house a year ago and the previous owners put up a
wallpaper trim on the top of the bathroom walls, including over the
shower area. The bathroom for some reason doesn't have an exhaust fan
so we got a dehumidifier, but the wallpaper trim is starting to show
dark spots, which I suspect are mold.
Would it be worthwhile to try and bleach the wallpaper as a temporary
solution? The bathroom is probably going to be remodelled in a few
months. Or should we rip down the trim as soon as possible?

Stacia


Sounds like mildew, but then not a mold expert. Here is some good
info: http://www.epa.gov/mold/

tom @ www.MedJobSite.com

"Lawrence" writes:

If it was me I would go ahead an remove the wallpaper there are
several methods. If the trim is in the way then remove it as well.
When the remodel occurs be sure to have an exhaust fan installed and
make sure it is vented directly outside an not into the attic.

Thanks for all the advice guys. We're definitely going to get an
exhaust fan installed when the remodelling happens. I have no clue why
none was installed originally, because the bathroom wall is right next
to the kitchen wall, and very close to the kitchen exhaust.
I hope the wallpaper spots are just mildew and not mold, but I've got
a bad feeling about it. The previous owners may very well have been
trying to hide mold, and I'm a little irked that the inspector didn't
find it (he didn't find the rotten wood drawer in the bathroom vanity,
either).

Stacia

(Stacia) wrote in :

"Lawrence" writes:

Thanks for all the advice guys. We're definitely going to get an
exhaust fan installed when the remodelling happens. I have no clue why
none was installed originally, because the bathroom wall is right next
to the kitchen wall, and very close to the kitchen exhaust.
I hope the wallpaper spots are just mildew and not mold, but I've got
a bad feeling about it. The previous owners may very well have been
trying to hide mold, and I'm a little irked that the inspector didn't
find it (he didn't find the rotten wood drawer in the bathroom vanity,
either).

A few of points:
* Don't hook the bathroom fan to the existing kitchen duct. It will blow
the moist air into the kitchen. Each fan needs its own ducting, unless
you put in complicated baffles.
* Check the warranty from your inspector. His insurance might cover the
things he missed.
* Check with your real estate agent about the mold. If the previous owner
purposely hid defects, he might be on the hook to fix them.