LESLIE: Our next caller is Margo from Oregon who has a window casing issue.
Margo, what’s going on?
MARGO: Well, I’ve got a home that was built in the early 60s and we have treated it for mold several times. And it’s to the point that the window casings are starting to (inaudible) crumble in. And I’m kind of at a loss what to do.
TOM: Now, are you talking about the outside or the inside?
MARGO: It’s on the inside.
TOM: The windows’ casings on the inside are rotting away?
MARGO: Well yeah, just basically waving goodbye.
TOM: Well then you have a bad condensation problem? You getting a lot of moisture on those windows that’s getting the casing wet?
MARGO: Before the house was ours, it had a lot of – somebody wasn’t very kind to these windows.
TOM: OK.
MARGO: The mold is just like voracious. Does this stuff not die? (Tom chuckles)
LESLIE: Well, you have to kill it.
MARGO: It won’t die.
LESLIE: You have to kill it. You need to use a mildicide; otherwise, you’re going to keep getting that mold back. Because unless you’re killing it, it’s just going to keep regenerating and what you need to do there is some sort of like a bleach and water solution. Because the bleach will kill that mold.
MARGO: Yeah, that’s what we’ve been using; bleach and water.
TOM: I think your bigger problem is with your windows because they obviously are too leaky and moist and you’ve got to have a good, strong moisture source here. And so have you thought about using replacement windows? Because replacement windows don’t have to be that expensive today and they’re – if you’re getting that much moisture in there, you’re probably losing a lot of energy to boot.
MARGO: That’s what I’m thinking, too. I’m thinking Pella.
TOM: Well, certainly a Pella window’s a great window.
LESLIE: And I also know that Marvin has a really good replacement window that’s so easy to install that they even come with a kit so the homeowner can do it themselves.
TOM: And Andersen has a whole new line of replacement windows as well.
LESLIE: There’s a lot of choices.
MARGO: We’ve been fighting long and hard with this and I’m done.
TOM: Alright, well give up. Get yourself some new windows. You’ll really enjoy them. They all tilt in for cleaning and they’re super energy-efficient and they’ll make that moisture problem go away once and for all.
MARGO: Well, thank you both.
TOM: You’re welcome. Thanks again for calling us at 1-888-MONEY-PIT.
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