How to remove mold from a log cabin ceiling ?
Removing log home ceiling mold can be a booger bear. There are two kinds of log cabin mold that I run across in the field. The first type we will call a surface mold. Surface mold grows on the dirt and pollen that collects on the outside of the log home finish. A top shelf water based stain will keep the mold on the surface if maintained. A proper wash will remove this type easily. When log home stain is old or poorly maintained it can allow for the second type of mold. We will call this second type deep root mold. Once the mold grows deep roots into wood fiber, it is almost impossible to completely remove without sanding. Chemicals are not really effective and bleach strong enough to kill just creates stain problems and spots. Sanding is my number one method. Sanding works great but sometimes the amount of sanding required to remove mold roots and stains, will cause visible divots in the wood. When sanding logs this is not really a problem. When sanding ceilings or soffits this can become problematic and very costly.
Once ceilings get to a certain point of mold growth there is no way to stain with a light transparent stain in a cost effective way. Reaching the joinery in the tongue and groove can be difficult and expensive as well. One method, is to solid stain the ceilings or stain with a darker color/less transparent stain. I know that painting logs is a big no-no but solid staining ceilings is acceptable when the right steps for prep are taken. First step is washing the ceilings with a very light bleach solution of jomax cleaner or TSP. When you clean the ceilings you must scrub every inch, hard with a good brush. When I say light on the bleach solution , I mean follow the instructions on the jomax or tsp. DONT GET ON LOGS. Make sure that you rinse very thoroughly. Then rinse again. When rinsing is complete, you should not be able to smell bleach or cleaner at all with your nose touching ceiling. At this point after everything dries you can sand lightly to help adhesion. Then wash again with water. I recommend this extra step but it is not always required. You can go two ways with the finish. One, you can stain with a darker less transparent stain with mixed milde-cide that will cover stains.
Guild Log and Timber offers all facets of log home repair in Texas. Visit our Restoration page. Subscribe to my blog post for the upcoming blog on all types of log home issues. Guild log and Timber also offers detailed consulting for General Contractors, Real estate agencies, Architects, homeowners and do-it-your-selfers. We can help give some insight on a broad range of in depth issues with existing log home construction problems and the planning of new log homes and historic cabin restoration. Let our two generations, of log home hard knock experience, be an advantage to you. Contact me for pricing and availability.
