DIY Network

Mold Problems From "Kitchen Renovations" episode DKTN-402

In this third segment of the second episode of "Contemporary Kitchen Expansion," Shane (contractor) shows host Paul Ryan and the homeowners (Keith and Miquel) a variety of equipment options to check for moisture problems. They decide that the back wall in the dining room needs to be torn down to see the extent of mold. They seal off the area and put on a full protective gear.

[Materials List and step-by-step instructions are below.]

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	The homeowners are unhappy with the cramped kitchen area...
	and the cabinets are too antiquated.
	The solution: Knock out the adjoining wall and open the kitchen up...
	into a spacious, eye-popping, contemporary treasure.

Materials and Tools for Installing Mounting Fixtures for Lights --

Laser level
Tape measure
Speed square
Hammer
1" screws
Pencil

Materials and Tools for Wiring for Lights --

Switch box
Hole Hawg
Wiring
Hammer
Electrical tape
Wire cutter

Materials and Tools for Mold Problems --

Tyvek suit
Respirator
Gloves
Eye protection
Poly sheeting
Hammer tacker
Fan
Hammer
Garbage bags
Tape
Vacuum
Putty knife
Pressure sprayer
Bleach
Scrub brush
Mop

When the homeowners pulled up the subflooring they found that it was wet underneath from wall to wall.

Checking for Moisture and Mold

• Visually -- subfloor is wet, dark in color and paint doesn't adhere to the drywall.

• Use a wet-wall detector (figure A, which works much like a stud finder and will read moisture up to 3-/12" deep inside the wall cavity.

• Use a pen-type tester (figure B) with longer probes to go into the wall cavity -- knock holes in the walls for probes, stick it into the wall and read the meter.

• Drill a hole in the wall to put in a desiccant (silica gel) spike. Insert into the wall cavity and run tape over the top. Check over several hours later and if descant changes from a yellow to a green color, then you have a moisture and possibly a mold problem.

Figure A

Figure B

	Figure C
	Figure D

If you find mold in the walls, you will need to remove the wall to determine the extent of the problem. Follow these steps:

1. Bag off the entire area with poly sheeting (figure C).

2. Set up a fan blowing out to create a negative pressure -- any dust created will be blown outside.

   Safety Alert: Wear a Tyvek suit, protective eyewear, a respirator and gloves to be safe.

3. Tap a row of holes in the drywall with a hammer and break it off in chunks.

4. Remove the insulation, put it into garbage bags (figure D) and tape them shut before discarding to keep the mold contained.

5. If you don't have more than about two square feet of mold you generally don't have a health hazard -- but you will need to clean up the mold.

6. Let the area completely dry for about three to five days.

In the final segment Paul and the contractor determine that the mold isn't as bad as they had first feared, and the homeowners clean out the wall cavities.

RESOURCES :

White Ridged Pendant Lights
Model #: F5020-36
Color: White
Brand Name: Forecast
Manufacturer: Forecast Lighting
Website: www.forecastltg.com

Desiccant Spike Moisture Indicator
Brand Name: ARI
Manufacturer: Autumn River, Inc.
Autumn River, Inc.
We apologize no contact information is available.

GUESTS :

Shane Kretsinger
Vice President, Operations
Autumn River
We apologize no contact information is available.

Brian Hart
Vice President
Forecast Lighting
1600 Fleetwood Dr.
Elgin, IL 60047
Toll-free: 800-989-3000
Website: www.forecastltg.com