Wood in water
VTMOM
| Posted in Building Code Questions on
New construction- got some rain and water sat in basement….some of the wood is not PT and soaked up wood. Daughter has serious reaction to mold – will this “dry out once the heat kicks in” or do I make them pull it off?
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Replies
Elizabeth,
What type of wood got wet? Are you talking about the bottom plates of some partitions? Or your stair stringers? Or was there a pile of construction lumber sitting down there?
From day one did you explain your mold concerns? Water damage companies are who to call to examine your build and remediate if needed.
9 jack studs ( no PT wood), plywood w/ luaun on it (absorbed water), stair stringers touching cement but do not think water got to them.
Elizabeth,
I would start by letting the wood dry out and seeing how it looks. If your daughter has medical symptoms, talk to her doctor and follow the medical advice given.
Elizabeth,
I'd suggest washing the wetted areas with a strong solution of "20 Mule Team Borax", say 2 cups per gallon. let it air dry. The Borax will kill any mold present AND prevent re-growth.
I am sure you all know that mold spores are universally "everywhere" .
Don't panic if you don't see mold.it won't grow magically on the wood,
unless you leave the humidity high enough.
Get a nice dehumidifier, and set it to 40%
let it be ..
visual inspection every few days ..If the wood dries and there are no mold to be seen,
it will never grow unless wet again or humidity higher than 60-70% for long periods.
Don't wait till you turn the heating ON ... act now.
You should always have a dehumidifier in a basement set to a speficic point neway ..