Guide to Use of Fungicidal Sealants on Wood Building Materials InspectAPedia® -
Use of Fungicidal Sealants and Anti-Mold Coatings to Kill Mold or Prevent Mold Growth
Mold spray paints, mold prevention by painting?
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This section of our "How to Clean Mold" article discusses the use of fungicidal sealants to reduce moisture uptake and retard future mold growth.
This article offers advice on cleaning mold found on surfaces of un-finished
wooden building materials such as framing lumber (rafters, floor joists, wall studs), and
building roof, wall, and floor sheathing such as plywood, tongue-and groove pine boards, and other structural wood surfaces
in buildings. Our page top photo shows fungicidal paint sprayed on demolition debris in a building. The debris should have been removed before this sealant was applied.
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3. TREAT & SEAL - cleaned building surfaces such as lumber or plywood if used indoors - an optional step to reduce retard future mold growth
Optionally, you may elect to treat cleaned lumber by coating its surfaces with a sealant intended for that
purpose and following the recommendations of the manufacturer.
Applying Fungicidal Sealants after Mold Remediation
The mold remediator/cleaner may elect to apply a fungicidal sealant such as Fosters™ 4020 or 4051, the Anabec™ two-step cleaner-sealer system,
or non-sealant fungicides
may be applied
in an effort to reduce the chances of future mold growth on the cleaned surfaces. But readers should review the advantages and warnings
about using fungicides and fungicidal sealants described next.
The photograph shown here was taken in our forensic lab during examination of a mold remediation clearance dust sample.
The
photo shows how a clear fungicidal encapsulant (mold sealant) can encompass and immobilize small particles, in this case
fragments of fiberglass insulation and sub-micron microscopic debris which were coagulated and encapsulated into now-solidified droplets of
a clear commercial mold encapsulant/sealant.
ADVANTAGES - of applying a fungicidal sealant to retard future mold growth
This photograph, taken during a mold remediation clearance inspection, shows the use of a clear fungicidal sealant
applied to previously-cleaned building framing and subflooring. The shiny coating makes evident where the coating
has been applied.
The transparent nature of the coating permits the inspector, building owner, or a subsequent buyer
of the property to view the quality of the cleaning job. Clear encapsulants have this advantage of showing the
condition of the coated surface, assuring us that the mold remediator didn't simply "spray-over" a dirty moldy
surface.
On the other hand, white or pigmented fungicidal paints and sprays are easier to detect, and it's easier to
see if the application missed any surfaces that were supposed to be coated.
Our photo (left) shows a moldy crawl space after expert cleaning, application of a clear fungicidal sealant on wood surfaces, and installation of a secure plastic barrier over a dirt and gravel crawl space floor.
Here are some advantages of using a fungicidal sealant following mold remediation
Sealants may reduce future moisture-uptake in wood, making it less quick to support future mold growth
The use of sealants after a mold cleanup project can immobilize particles left in hard to clean crevices
Fungicidal or microbial sealants contain a chemical which the manufacturers claim retard future mold growth. However the long-term chemical stability, thus the durability or "lasting power" of the chemical effects may be in doubt. I have been unable to find any long term study of the enduring effect of the fungicidal or microbial effect, and some studies, such as those done on microbially-treated fiberglass duct insulation indicate that the treatment is not long-lived.
The few remaining particles not removed by cleaning are immobilized - sprays and sealants are never a substitute for cleaning however.
WARNINGS - about using fungicidal sealants to control mold growth
Our photo (left) shows a white fungicidal sealant paint spray coating that has been applied to all surfaces in a building basement fas the last step in a mold cleanup project. The remediator did a great job of removing moldy materials, cleaning all surfaces, and leaving no demolition dust or debris in the building - all before this mold spray paint was applied.
Remember to clean: Fungicidal sealants or non-sealant fungicides should not be used as a substitute for physical cleaning of moldy or suspect surfaces and materials. Application of fungicides without cleaning risks leaving high levels of toxic or allergenic particles in the building. Even if a fungicide could "kill" every mold spore, which in our experience is unlikely, non-viable spores may still be toxic or allergenic. (See our page top photo).
Biocides or Fungicides which are not sealants have the same shortcomings as sealants and more: they are unlikely to kill 100% of their target, they do not immobilize remaining dust or debris on a surface and they do not provide future moisture resistance.
Possible health risks of fungicides and disinfectants: If your contractor is planning to use a disinfectant or fungicide on building surfaces be sure to review the chemicals to be used as possible irritants or hazards themselves. The remediation industry is of mixed opinion regarding the efficacy and advisability of using such treatments.
Some people have allergic reaction to these chemicals. The contractor should be asked to provide documentation identifying the chemical(s) used, the concentration and manner of application, and the areas where they were applied, as well as providing pertinent health information from the manufacturer, as some occupants or owners may prefer to avoid these chemicals.
Directory of Producers of Mold Remediation Products, Fungicidal Sprays, Sealants, Biocides, Washes
We have no financial interest in any of these products. This data was discovered by internet search. We have no
independent scientific data as yet regarding the effectiveness, toxicity, chemical composition, nor durability of these products.
Anabec Systems - 9393 Main St. • P.O. Box 433 • Clarence, NY 14031 see http://www.anabec.com/index.cfm Tel: 800-369-8463 Anabec NG2000™ and Bioshield BST Protectant RTU75™ are also products used in mold remediation projects.
Bioshield BST - Bioshield Technologies - Bio Shield Technologies
P.O. Box 15,
Clarks Summit, Pa 18411, Tel: 717-489-1728
Fax - 717-489-0228
Email – info@bioshieldtech.com
Web – www.bioshieldtech.com - http://www.bioshieldtech.com/Contact-Us-a/138.htm The company indicates that it
"... offer a wide assortment of ... antimicrobial and personal protection products .... We work with only the industry’s leading manufacturers—DuPont, Agion, Discovery Medical, Anabec Systems, Woodward Labs, ..."
Fiberlok Technologies, Tel: 800-342-3755 - http://www.fiberlock.com/products/8360.html
MSDS sheets for the company's products can be found at http://www.fiberlock.com/products/msds.html
The company refers website visitors to a dealer locator network and states
"In the event you are unable to locate a distributor near you, please call us at 1-800-342-3755 "
Foster Products, 1105 Frontenac St., Aurora IL 60504, Tel: 800-231-9541, Email: fosterproducts@hbfuller.com - http://www.fosterproducts.com/ -
MSDS sheets for the company's products can be found at http://www.fosterproducts.com/default.aspx?PageID=msds
Microban Antimicrobial Products - http://www.microban.com/. The company indicates that
"Microban® antimicrobial protection is built-in to products during manufacturing to provide continuous antimicrobial product protection. Microban protection can be found in hundreds of consumer, industrial and medical products around the world."
Protex 63, Trask Research, W.M. Barr, P.O. Box 1879, Memphis, TN 38101, - http://www.traskresearch.com/contact.html -
Tel: 1-866-370-2499 The company indicates that
"Protex 63 is an EPA registered fungicidal sealant that seals against mold, mildew, and green algae" and
"Protex™ 63 is a durable, sealant and coating that resists mold, mildew and algal growth. Protex™ dries clear and does not affect the appearance of most surfaces. Protex™ is especially formulated for exterior use."
MSDS data sheets are available from the manufacturer.
Rocima™40, produced by Dow Chemical Company's subsidiary Rohm and Haas, is a
"Broad spectrum, non-metallic liquid fungicide for a wide variety of fungal organisms"
http://www.rohmhaas.com/wcm/products/product_detail.page?display-mode=tds&product=1120851
The MSDS can be found at http://www.rohmhaas.com/wcm/products/product_detail.page?display-mode=msds&product=1120851
Other Mold Cleaning Products, Paint Additives, Fungicidal Sealants, Paints, Coatings
Waterglass (Sodium Silicate) used as a binder in paints may also be a possible coating. It is water soluble and
produces a "heat resistant and intumescent" film. However to date we have no data regarding its use in this
application.
Readers and product suppliers are welcome Contact Us by email (please do not telephone) to suggest additional products to this list and to provide technical literature on product use and effectiveness.
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Prevention: Avoiding Mold Problems in Buildings by Using Mold-resistant Construction Products & Practices
Prevention of Mold list of articles on how to Correct the Causes of Mold and Prevent Indoor Mold or other indoor environment problems
Standards: Mold Cleaning, Remediation, & Clearance Testing Standards list of documents
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The Mold Information Center: What to Do About Mold in Buildings, When and How to Inspect for Mold, Clean Up Mold, or Avoid Mold Problems
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