Can mold grow behind ThermalDry?

[tk421]

I recently moved into a home where I discoverd mold growing on the concrete block walls of my basment. This was hidden behind paneled walls. I suspect the reason for the mold growth was that whoever finished the basement had tacked poly sheeting up against the concrete block exteriot walls and as condensation etc built up moisture, it had no place to go and mold grew. How would Thermal Dry protect against this? I'm leery of basement systems which want to put more sheeting up on my walls for fear mold may grow back.

[Master Waterproofer]

Are you sure it is mold and not efflorecense?

Is this only on the concrete walls or is it on the paneling as well?

If it is only on the concrete it is probably efflorecense and not mold. If it is efflorecense the only thing you can do is cover it up. Scrubbing and washing is temporary and the efflorecense will come back. It would be best to cover the walls with a wall system like the Thermal Wall System. It is a permanent solution to an unsightly problem.

[tk421]

Thanks for replying.

The areas are dark in color, and effloresence is white, correct?

It certainly looks like mold to me. The firring strips which held the panelling to the concrete blocks were rotted on the bottoms so I'm guessing it's mold due to moisture getting trapped between the wall and the poly sheeting.

[rfaller]

since he didnt answer your question, i will. yes, mold can(and likely will) grow behind the wall panels. i've seen this question askes a number of times and the moderators give the same carefully worded answer. it is true that it will not mold on the wall panels. the ywill not support mold growth.however, your walls will. you need to address the wall situation before covering it. think of it like this. if your dog poops on the floor, and you dont want to see it or smell it, do you throw a rug over it and forget it? nope, you clean it up.whatever is going on with the wall before you cover it will continue after you cover it

[Ron C]

Thank you for your continued answers to our forum. Yes we do carefully answer our forum questions. We would not recklessly answer questions we are not experts in the field of like mold. Consumers should ask mold experts and receive advice accordingly. Answers given on this forum are based on the information given. When a question or statement is posed, the best answer is given.