Green Board or Durock?

[Larry Caldwell]

When you pull down the existing ceiling you will have access to that tough-to-access space. The rule with insulation is "seal the warm side and vent the cold side." Make sure there is adequate attic ventilation, and ditto on venting the fan to the outdoors. While you have the ceiling down is the golden opportunity to install a vent fan in the shower. A good vent fan will move a lot of air.

After you upgrade the insulation, staple visqueen on the joists before you put up green board. Your problem is not the sheetrock, it's condensation. Paint is just putting a bandaid on the problem.

 

[ultrarunner]

The problem I run into with mold is almost always lifestyle.

One family zero and the next a disaster…

Windows closed… don’t use exhaust fans, gas cook all day and add many showers in a day.

The closets are real problrm spots when outside wall on the North Side with lathe and plaster walls and clothes crammed in like a clothes hamper…

 

[ponytug]

Funny how some folks don't learn and change their daily habits, isn't it?

All the best,

Peter

 

[ultrarunner]

Funny how some folks don't learn and change their daily habits, isn't it?

All the best,

Peter

Managing residential rentals is a window into many lifestyles…

How can the same home have $100 a month PGE for one family and near $500 for another followed by a family with $150?

It’s all lifestyle… some conserve and others don’t.

The $500 tenant was like 80 all the time inside the modest 2 bedroom 1 bath home…

 

[Torvy]

^this is also why some people are 'poor' or don't earn a 'living wage'.

It used to be that when you didn't have much, you lived as cheaply as possible. Now, some (not all) people who don't have big incomes still spend like they do.

 

[ultrarunner]

The $100 month couple were older and liked fresh air and wore sweaters and heated sparingly in our mild climate…

The $500 worked for UPS nights and was home all day in her nightgown saying she would not be cold in her own house… never saw a window open…

Proper paint selection can mean avoiding future problems…

 

[goeduck]

So, you need to atleast access the back (top) side of the board, scrub, treat, and seal the top. While you are up there, do the same to the truss if it shows any water damage.

With a tenant being in the home, I kinda worry what they will see if you go full demo mode. Atleast look in attic/whatever (if no access, you can cut a 12x24 window flap in the sheetrock, that is easily repaired.

I have already removed the old sheetrock. I had the air tested ahead of time by a licensed mold guy, there was nothing bad going on as far as breathing goes and that was shared with the tenant. The roof issue was repaired about 6 months ago after which the mold came back through fresh paint (applied about 2 months after roof work), so I went full demo. However in the last 3 months there had been no increase in the mold spots, so I think I am on the right track. I think the mold was on its last gasps and it is not that big of a bathroom. I just want this issue with the house behind me. I also might move into it in my older years when I scale down, so best to get it done right. At this point I was looking for the best paint and primer for a bathroom to go on the green board I have up.

 

[goeduck]

Perma White by Zinsser has solved many a rental problem for me…

I have not kept up with formula changes but in the last 15-30 years ago it was common to have problems in baths and closets with exterior walls… the Zinsser product eliminated it as long as 2 coats used.

Zinsser® PERMA-WHITE® Mold & Mildew-Proof™* Interior Paint Product Page

PERMA-WHITE® Mold & Mildew-Proof™* Interior Paint is specifically designed to prevent mildew growth on the paint film in moisture prone areas in your home.

www.rustoleum.com

Interesting that they don't call that bath and kitchen paint yet they show a bathroom on the can. They do label the paint/primer combo as bath/kitchen. Thanks for the link. Eddie mentioned an exterior paint, which might also be an option.