Mold Resistant Products and Ideas

Once mold is allowed to propagate in the home it can become a big problem, not to mention expensive to fix. Therefore, it is best to nip it in the bud before it starts. There are some great products on the market to help to prevent mold growth, along with some some common sense strategies to make sure mold is never invited into your home.

Products

Mold Resistant Drywall

Traditional drywall uses paper facing, which creates a way for moisture to adhere to the organic paper and create a food source for mold. Mold resistant drywall is composed differently to prevent the attractive feeding ground for mold.

1) Uniform: This means that the drywall has a? uniform composition of materials, meaning no facing materials of any sort. USG’s Fiberock Aqua-Tough is a good brand.

2) Mat-Faced: This is drywall that has gypsum core and fiberglass mat facings on both sides of the board. A good brand is Georgia-Pacific’s DensArmor.

3) Paper-Faced: Like traditional drywall, it has? a paper face. However, the difference is, the paper is treated to resist the growth of mold. Georgia-Pacific’s ToughRock and Certainteed’s M2Tech? Moisture & Mold Resistant Gypsum Board have 100% recycled paper facing.

Greenboard

Like mold-resistant drywall, greenboard is a product that will inhibit mold. It is a paper-backed drywall that has a light green tint to it. It is often used for high-moisture areas such as in showers and in bathrooms. Although greenboard it less expensive then mold resistant drywall, it is not as effective as mold resistant drywall.

Mold Resistant Drywall Tape

Mold resistant drywall tape compliments the mold resistant drywall. FibaTape? produces a tape that is covered by an anti-microbial coating.

Mold Resistant Wood

Companies like Frame-Guard? manufacture wood that is treated with anti-mold chemicals. This product also keeps termites away.

Mold Resistant Stucco

Amerimix? manufactures a mold resistant stucco. Their stucco is also pre-blended with a waterproofing and anti-microbial product.

Mold Resistant Carpet

Carpets made of Olefin (polypropylene) fibers or acrylic fibers offer resistance to mold growth. You can purchase mold resistant carpet at a wide range of manufacturers.

Mold Resistant Caulk

Manufacturers like Dap? have introduced products like Kwik Seal Plus Adhesive Caulk with Miocroban?. The caulk is treated with fungicide so it helps prevent mold growth on the caulk. It also is stain and odor resistant.

Mold Resistant Sealant

Mold resistant sealant can be applied to wood, OSB, concrete, stucco, brick, tile, gypsum, and other surfaces in the home. The sealant has a protective coating that has been blended with anti-microbial chemicals. Mold resistant sealants come in either spray or non-spray forms.

Mold Resistant Insulation

There are companies producing insulation that has been treated with a fungicide. A good company is Nu-Wool that manufactures a Premium Cellulose Insulation that is one of the few insulation products which contains a fungicide registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Mold-Resistant Paint

Mold-resistant paint can be good to use on basement floors, walls and ceilings and a very effective way to prevent mold in your home. Mold-resistant paint contains antimicrobial ingredients that prevent the growth of mold. There are lots of brands and colors to choose from that you can find at most any home improvement store. Pay attention to the bottom corners where walls meet when you apply the paint, because this those are vulnerable areas for mold to grow.

Mold Resistant Shower Pan

The Tile Redi Barrier Free Black Shower Floor? claims to be the best water intrusion solution available. The product is leak free and mold resistant. Plus, no further waterproofing will be required with use of their product.

Other Mold Resistant Ideas

?Dehumidifier

A dehumidifier takes moisture out of the air by sucking in moist air on one side and pushing the dry air out the other side.

Hydrometer

A hydrometer is an is an instrument that measures the the amount of moisture in the air. Mold usually grows in places with high relative humidity, above 50 percent. By monitoring the moisture in the home, you can take steps to reduce the amount of moisture in the air if it gets too high.

Ventilation Fixtures

Ventilation fixtures should always be installed in the bathroom and the kitchen. Also, make sure these are vented to the exterior.

Waterproofing

Waterproof the home to prevent bulk water intrusion. This means everything from kick-out flashing on the roof to installing a drain system.

New Technologies

Every year, new methods, technologies and products are hitting the market.? So, yourself keep up-to-date on new mold resistant products and tips.