Mold on Concrete Block

Mold is a problem with structures, and can be a health concern for occupants.

Mold Needs 2 Things to Grow:

1. Something to grow on (a substrate)
2. Something to eat (food)

Unlike some structural materials like wood or drywall, concrete is only a substrate for mold. Mold is unable to eat concrete. Mold is merely growing on the surface, and there must be a source of food—often moisture.

Modern masonry and concrete construction uses a “belt and suspender” approach to avoid mold. It uses water repellents and proper detailing to first keep water out of the masonry wall. This strategy is then complemented by weeps and vents which gives moisture that bypasses the physical and chemical barriers a preferred way out of the wall. If mold is present it means these systems are not functioning correctly.

Find the Food Source

A root cause investigation should be undertaken to determine how the moisture is getting into the wall, and feeding the mold. Corrective actions will remove the food source, and then allow for the mold removal to be permanent. Common moisture sources include: air conditioner condensate, improper waterproofed roofs, poor drainage on the farside of the wall, and clogged weeps.

Clean the Mold

There are a number of cleaning strategies to remove mold.

• Pressure washing
• Allow bleach (sodium hypochlorite) to stand and then remove with a stiff bristle brush.
• Proprietary cleaners designed to remove mold from concrete

Have other types of stains you need to clean up?

Masonry Sales RepresentativeMatt Henshaw

Phone

443 852-0917

Location

MD: Bladensburg

Email

[email protected]

Languages

English