Help with mold - SW t/house

About a year ago, we had a leak in our bathroom sink. We caulked the base of the faucet and hoped that it would work. I placed a pan underneath in case it starts to leak again. Well last night, I decided to check and lift the pan which was bone dry, but underneath, it was wet and moldy (black spots and some white). I honestly don't know where the water came from.
Did anyone else have this problem? And what's the best way to clean up mold?

My husband just called Michael & Sons (has anyone used them?) to look at it.

 

Hard to tell from what you wrote - not sure of there is enough information to make more than a guess... but I think where you had your original leak remained wet and had trapped some moisture. And with you putting a pan on top of that area, you gave mold the perfect breading ground - dark and cool.

Not sure what surfaces you are dealing with, but products such as X-14 Mold/Mildew remover and Tilex are great. Just be careful, as some of these cleaners should not be used on wood. You just need to treat the area a few times I think and you might be ok.

 

Dave -
The affected area is wood, the bathroom cabinet floor.
I cleaned it up months ago and made sure the area was dry before placing the pan on top. It's baffling where the water came from as like I said the pan on top of the wet area was dry.
Thanks for the advise regarding cleanup.

 

when you say you cleaned it up and made sure it was dry - was it "dry" for along period of time? Or was it dry to the touch? Under my cabinet in the basement I had a similar issue. I let it air dry with nothing in it for several weeks after I found mold after a few days - now there is no issue.

 

I wiped it then left it to dry for only 3-4 days.

 

I would clean it good and then let it air dry for a week or more.(with nothing in the cabinet at all.)

 

We cleaned it using detergent/warm water, then bleach/water ... after 20 minutes, cleaned it wth borate (borax) solution. The dark spots did not completely go away but I think we cleaned it good. We just hope it doesn't come back.

When you say 'air dry', do you mean keep the cabinet open?
Thanks.

 

and I think you could re-paint. That may help to seal it too. It is inside a cabinet so I was assuming white? Or if it is wood color, you could try a stain/sealant.

 

Thank you. My other concern is if there's mold under the cab' floor. I guess the only way to find out is to cut a hole through. Ayayay!!! am I worrying too much? :-(

 

I left the cabinet doors open for the two weeks I left mine dry.

 

CCY and others--

Beahmer is right about keeping the cabinet dry. Here is a web site with links to common mold questions for you to peruse. It explains mold and how to keep the area(s) in question dry, etc.

www.gleassociates.com/mold/homeowners/havemold.html (Gle Associates is a good resource for homeowners' questions on mold issues.)

Bleach mixtures are good for cleaning just be careful--

Good luck--

Foodie