Quck answer
Mold on a wood subfloor can be a health hazard and cause damage. To kill mold on a wood subfloor, follow these steps:
1. Safety first: Wear protective clothing, gloves, and a mask to avoid inhaling mold spores.
2. Identify the source: Determine the cause of the moisture and fix any leaks or water issues to prevent mold from returning.
3. Remove visible mold: Use a scrub brush and a mixture of water and detergent to clean the affected area thoroughly. Rinse with clean water and dry completely.
4. Apply a mold-killing solution: Use a commercial mold-killing product or make your own solution with vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. Apply it to the subfloor and let it sit for a few minutes.
5. Scrub and rinse: Scrub the subfloor again with the mold-killing solution, focusing on any remaining mold spots. Rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly.
6. Prevent future mold growth: Ensure proper ventilation and maintain a dry environment to prevent mold from coming back.
By following these steps, you can effectively kill mold on a wood subfloor and protect your health and the integrity of your flooring.
If you have a moist subfloor that has become moldy, it’s important to understand that this is not a simple cleaning task. While you can clean mold from other surfaces in your home yourself, killing mold on a timber subfloor is not an easy job. Not only do you need to treat the mold, but sometimes it’s even difficult to detect signs of mold under hardwood floors. If you notice mold on a plywood subfloor, it is highly recommended to hire a professional to resolve the issue.
What is Subflooring?
Subflooring refers to the layer or layers of flooring underneath a finished floor covering, and it is typically attached to the floor joists. The finished flooring can be made of carpet and padding, hardwood, laminate, vinyl, or ceramic tile. If you have vinyl or sheet vinyl flooring, you may have multiple layers of subflooring.
The majority of subflooring is made of plywood or oriented strand board (OSB), which is a type of engineered wood. Since plywood is commonly used for subflooring, it is highly susceptible to mold growth.
How Does Mold Form?
Unfortunately, mold can grow with minimal effort, and it can remain undetected in subflooring for extended periods. Since there are layers of flooring, mold can become trapped between those layers. Mold in subflooring can develop due to various reasons. For example, if there is a plumbing leak that causes the subfloor to become wet, mold can grow in the moist area.
In addition, if there is excessive moisture in the subfloor, possibly from damp ground beneath it or consistently high humidity, mold is more likely to thrive. Mold is also more prone to develop in warm houses, as the combination of warm temperatures, water, and materials like plywood or OSB creates an ideal environment for mold growth.
Health Risks Associated with Mold
Although mold may seem like a major threat, it is actually present everywhere, and only a few strains are harmful. It is important to be aware of the type and amount of mold in your environment. Mold exists in nature and even in our homes, but visible mold growth is usually an indication of a problem.
While not all types of mold are toxic, those that feed on cellulose typically are. If mold spores or mycotoxins (chemicals produced by mold) are released into the air and inhaled, they can cause allergic reactions in individuals with mold sensitivities. Contact with mold can lead to nasal congestion, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, skin irritation, or severe allergic reactions.
Individuals with chronic lung diseases can also develop severe lung infections due to exposure to mold. If you have a chronic lung illness, it is advisable to avoid compost piles, freshly cut grass, and heavily wooded areas.
Indications of Mold Under Hardwood Floors
Detecting mold growth underneath your floorboards can be challenging initially. In most cases, you should be able to see it, but if mold is growing beneath finished subflooring, it may not be visible. However, you can often detect the presence of mold by its distinct smell. If you notice a musty, pungent, earthy odor, there is a possibility of mold.
The most straightforward way to identify mold in sub-flooring is to observe any changes in color, warping, or distortion in areas with hardwood or laminate flooring. It is even possible for mold to grow underneath vinyl plank flooring. Plywood and OSB tend to absorb moisture, which can cause the layers to separate or warp. While warping may not guarantee the presence of mold, it is a strong indication of a problem.
If you suspect mold because of warping in your flooring or the ease with which your carpet and pad roll back, further inspection of the sub-flooring is necessary. To detect mold in plywood sub-flooring, you will need to remove a small area and check underneath. In most cases, you can reinstall hardwood, laminate, or vinyl planks without damaging the overall flooring.
Using bleach to remove mold is a common misconception. The truth is that bleach cannot always kill mold, especially on porous surfaces. Chlorine bleach is mostly water and only contains a small amount of chlorine. While chlorine can kill visible mold, its high surface tension prevents it from penetrating wood or any other porous surface, such as tile grout, and killing the roots.
Bleach can be effective in killing mold on non-porous materials like glass, countertops, and ceramic tile. However, to eliminate mold in sub-flooring, you will need to scrub it with soap and water. It is recommended to hire a professional for this task to ensure that all traces of mold are eliminated.
If an inspection reveals the presence of mold, immediate coverage and cleaning of the affected area are necessary to prevent the spread of mold spores. Removing mold from subflooring can be a complicated process, and improper handling can lead to the spread of mold to other areas of your home. It is important to have a plan in place to contain and remove the mold before starting the removal process. Hiring professionals is advisable, as they have the necessary equipment and expertise for the job. They will use a negative air machine or air scrubber to remove mold spores from the air and prevent cross-contamination. Additionally, they will wear protective equipment such as masks, gloves, and specialized clothing when dealing with the mold infestation.
Aftercare is essential in the mold removal process. If any porous materials come into contact with mold, they may become contaminated and need to be removed and discarded. A professional mold removal crew will ensure that any additional materials are not affected and take steps to prevent the reappearance of mold. They will also clean up any excess water, as mold spores can reform if there is moisture present. It is crucial to have professionals thoroughly eliminate all traces of mold to prevent its resurgence.
