How to treat mould on chipboard in closet under carpet?

I understand the expense might be a lot now, but the potential cost of not taking action could be far greater. The most important thing now is to stop the cause of the issue.

Unfortunately, the only way to know if your insurer will help is to contact them.

Your subfloor is damp, but it doesn't look to be in too bad of a condition. At present the joists and bearers look to be solid, but continued exposure to water is not going to be good for them.

You could use this Air Blower in your crawl space to help dry things out. I'd suggest hiring it for 7 days and running it for as long as possible.

You can use Concrobium 946ml Mould Cleaner to clean the mould off, but please ensure you wear protective clothing including a mask, eye protection and gloves

If you can locate the cause of the leak, I may be able to offer advice on how to stop the leak, but it is likely best to contact your insurer before taking action on this.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

All comments

EricL

Hello @angelique5

Thanks for sharing your question about treating mould on chipboard in your closet. I propose looking at using Dulux 1L PRECISION Stain & Mould Blocker. It has been specially formulated to inhibit mould and mildew growth. But for a guaranteed long-term repair, I suggest engaging the services of a builder or handy person to cut out the infested board and replacing it with fresh new flooring. It's highly probable that the handy person will be using a multitool to cut the mould infested board out of the area and will patch it with YellowTongue or similar flooring board.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Nailbag

Hi @angelique5

There is two parts to your issue, the cause and repair.

1. The cause as you mentioned is most likely from recent heavy rain flooding under the house. This needs to be rectified otherwise it's just going to happen again over time. A plumber would be the best person to call on.

2. I would take on-board @EricL recommendation to call on someone to replace just that damage section of board. It's a relatively easy job that a decent handyman could perform. He would cut the section out larger than the damaged area to the nearest floor joist (what the board is fixed to). The replace it with a new piece cut from the smallest floor board available which is around $40. The new board would be nailed to the joist and glued along all edges to seal any gaps. The board, liquid nails plus a couple of hours labour, I would expect the job should be well under $300.

Nailbag

Good Evening @angelique5

Im following along with @EricL and @Nailbag 's suggestions as well. Id replace the board but the problem should be fixed so it just dosnt come back to haunt you again. A plumber first as has been suggested and a handyman to replace. The board once cut will give access so you can see what state it is in. Do you know how far the nould goes?

Dave

I need to crawl underneath,it’s very hard cause it is on a slope and not much room up at the bedroom area I had a handyman who said it’s a big job and I’m thinking it’s best to get insurance people to assess the situation and take it from there as it’s just going to get worse if it keeps flooding into my courtyard, and up the wall as so close to ground

Good Morning @angelique5

Thats a good first step to start with. No point in doing something if its covered by insurance.

Dave

JacobZ

As @Nailbag has said, rectifying the cause of the issue is the most important thing. If this isn't fixed, then there's no point in replacing the chipboard as it will just happen again with the next big downpour.

Speaking with your insurer about the root cause of the issue is definitely going to be a good first step.

Jacob

Hi Jacob, thanks everyone for great suggestions, I actually took a video not sure if I can upload it and lots of pictures the floor is all damp/wet there’s a lot of mould growing on joists and a part where there’s some black mould too , I’m in serious debt and , money is a real issue but also my health isn’t great either, I asked the neighbour to please check her downpipes as too much excess water comes from hers o top of mine it’s just a avalanche, she’s finically taken notice of what I say and said she will , insurance is 500 to get someone to come assess and I have to start claim , it’s obviously got bad from the recent weather event and a couple of constant rainy weather events but as this is something that has been happening for a while would insurance even help ? There’s worse pictures but I’m having trouble seeing which ones and need to start working soon , I will need to drawl back under there which is just so small to clean it but it’s the only thing I can think of for now to spray vinegar and throw the rags in bin , any other suggestions will be greatly appreciated thank you,

I’m not sure that if you can see but the mould is really bad on this joist will I need to eventually replace it and how is it up there from floor

JacobZ

I understand the expense might be a lot now, but the potential cost of not taking action could be far greater. The most important thing now is to stop the cause of the issue.

Unfortunately, the only way to know if your insurer will help is to contact them.

Your subfloor is damp, but it doesn't look to be in too bad of a condition. At present the joists and bearers look to be solid, but continued exposure to water is not going to be good for them.

You could use this Air Blower in your crawl space to help dry things out. I'd suggest hiring it for 7 days and running it for as long as possible.

You can use Concrobium 946ml Mould Cleaner to clean the mould off, but please ensure you wear protective clothing including a mask, eye protection and gloves

If you can locate the cause of the leak, I may be able to offer advice on how to stop the leak, but it is likely best to contact your insurer before taking action on this.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

Afternoon @angelique5

Thank you for the photos, as @JacobZ says it looks in a resonable condition just wet.

I dont know of insurers charging to assess claims? I would follow that up by checking your insurance documentation as much as thats a pain. Also Fair trading Australia may be able to help you out with that type of question. As to an issue long term that would be assesed by the insurer. (Ive been through a process with a water leak for a bathroom and it ended up not being covered 😕 but no fee for assesment)

I really like the idea of a blower to dry the area out as much as possible. At the very least that will aslo help narrow the issue down if something else is causing the water to be around.

Dave

Thank you so much for advice, I will look into the air blower hire and is this something from Bunnings or a separate company, I also have a question about what to replace all the parts that have been washed down hill with is it just sand or a specific underneath house mix as some of the structural posts are empty around parts where it’s been washed away as it’s downslope to the front of house, my other strata lady next door has told me she’s going to finally get someone to check her downpipes as she’s constantly not listening to me and with gutter guards never cleaning her gutters this is where the problem has started I feel with her consistent overflow into this area and recent weather has caused a major period of constant rains. I actually just cleaned my gutters on both sides of the house, but yet to get onto the very top which is at the front high up , at least I know mine is draining well at the back , I will do my best to use as much protective protection from spores while cleaning once I can finally get under there again, I did also noticed that a few areas might be leaking near the front small patch but I’ve contacted my plumber to come and tix when he can even though it’s not near the other area I’m glad I spotted it .
do you think vinegar will be ok as a mould cleaning also as I know it’s supposed to kill most of mould , I really appreciate your advice as with no one here to help or family it’s very daunting and I’d like to be able to keep my unit if I can and sometimes I am ready to give up and sell but I guess no matter what there’s always issues with a home especially in this crazy weather world we live in now and humidity is extremely high perfect conditions for mould

Good Evening @angelique5

Your ground looks pretty good 🙂 Seriously I have deeper chanels under my house. The piers that you have shown all look ok and as to the earth that has been moved by water its not bad.

Before using vinigar I would go the route with the blower. Dry it out will kill mould and then use the application @JacobZ or @EricL mentioned from Bunnings.

Fans/blowers can be hired from the Bunnings hire section. Just hit them up. Factor in gettingthem out of your car and wherethey need to be placed size wise when hiring.

As to water damage under strata law. It may be a worthwhile look up with the goverment body over strata title as to whoose responsibility it is for the guttering that is joined/causing issues.

I think you will be nicely surpprised once you get the underfloor dired with a blower/fan.

Dave

MitchellMc

Here's the link for the blower hire.

As @Dave-1 mentioned, I wouldn't be overly concerned about the soil that has been removed from runoff, but it could be something to keep an eye on in case it gets worse.

Vinegar is quite effective at killing mould.

Mitchell

Thanks everyone for so much great advice, my neighbour is getting plumbers to check the downspouts if any are blocked next Monday, I researched the air blower and my only concern is will it blow all the mould spores around, I crawled under again right to back common wall and it’s worse on far left side with a bit of timber that seems eaten away , so much water on ground, and extensive mould, she wants me to wait for plumbers to check before lodge claim to asses , here are some more pictures