[Greenbuilding] Mold questions

[Alchemy Construction Inc]

We are builders in Northern Coastal California.  We understand the mold 
problem all too well.  We have had great luck with our homes using 
cellulose iinsulation and radiant heat.
Our county allows dense packing of roof insulation with no roof venting. 
The city of Arcata Does not.
As early as possible we begin running the radiant.  This pulls the 
moisture out of the framing, insulation, Sheetrock mud and paint process. 
Here in Humboldt i don't see many vapor barriers besides in slabs.
I'd be careful .........
The insulation we use:
http://www.cocooninsulation.com/CocoonInsulation.asp

Stephen Bohner
Alchemy Construction Inc.
www.alchemyinc.com
707-822-8013



Jefro wrote:
> We live in northern coastal California where mold is a special problem.  
> Relative humidity averages something like 80% here.  Mold is a big 
> concern for us, as my wife has asthma and we both have allergies.  We 
> are currently living in a 70s home that has some moisture infiltration 
> issues, and just today we discovered that our expensive organic cotton 
> mattress is moldy.  (Anyone know how to get mold out of a mattress?)
>
> However, I am most concerned about the house we are building this fall.  
> Positives:  it will be in a warm meadow a few miles inland with lots of 
> sunshine, out of the fog.  It will be very well-insulated and will have 
> hardwood floors and a house vac, and the cats will live outside 
> (mostly).  None of these things are true right now; we live under the 
> redwoods in the fog zone with wall-to-wall carpeting and unruly indoor cats.
>
> Some potential negatives we have identified:
>
> - The aforementioned humidity, though we can deal with that with a 
> dehumidifier if necessary. 
>
> - We are planning to use cellulose insulation.  Mold loves cellulose.  
> Do the borate additives help prevent mold growth?  Since this is a 
> health issue for us, should we be looking more seriously at icynene foam? 
>
> - I am concerned about getting vapor barriers right.  We are building a 
> double 2x4 wall on 2x10 plates, with plywood sheathing and stucco 
> outside, plaster inside.  I have been expecting to use a vapor barrier 
> outside the plywood.  Should I plan for a barrier under the interior 
> plaster as well?  How about in the floor?
>
> - Our building cycle is very close to the winter rains, as our escrow on 
> the property in question has dragged out unceasingly.  We are worried 
> about embedding moisture in the house as we build it, particularly as we 
> are building with green lumber that we will be milling on-site.  Right 
> now the plan is to get the framing, sheathing, and roof done before the 
> winter rain starts and work on the interior carpentry all winter, and 
> probably won't put in the insulation until next spring in order to get 
> the framing good and dry.  How do we make sure everything dries out 
> completely before we seal things up? 
>
> I understand that these are questions for the contractors who are 
> advising us and actually doing the bulk of the work, and I am asking 
> them as well.  However, my experience talking with many contractors, 
> engineers, architects, tradespeople, etc. in this process is that people 
> often base firm opinions more on their limited experience than on 
> widespread research.  Also, many people don't necessarily see mold as a 
> serious problem. 
>
> Any advice is helpful!
>
> thanks
>
>
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