Remove mold, then take care of ceiling

Q: Our 7-year-old finished garage, built on a slab, has mold on the ceiling in all three bays. One can see the outline of the ceiling studs. The walls are clear. There is an apartment over the garage. Where should we start, please?

A: Before starting, an explanation, complicated by the apartment above the garage, is this: The garage ceiling is not insulated, and the ceiling joists (not studs) are a bit cooler than the whole ceiling, and water vapor builds up in the garage and condenses on the ceiling under the joists, and mold grows, hence the mold is only on the outline of the joists.

To start, treat the mold stains with a mix of 1 part bleach and 3 parts water. If the ceiling is not insulated, have cellulose blown in. If the garage ceiling is already insulated, then ventilate the garage to release all that water vapor outside.

Q: I recently took three wool shirts out of the closet for winter wear, and found moth holes in two of them. I washed and froze both of them to kill any eggs, and hung a "Safer" trap to catch any live moths. What else can I do? I really don't like the smell of mothballs.

A: Go to a store that sells anti-moth products, and you should be able to buy a non-odor treatment.

Keeping rodents out of car

A caller recently asked if there is a way to keep rodents from chewing electrical wires in his car. The car is parked outdoors, and he has no garage. The Handyman suggested he find a garage he could rent and make rodent proof, or install deterrents in the car.

Here is what Dick Shohet of Carlisle suggested: "We find that fabric softener sheets work wonders to discourage rodent damage in our vehicles. We put a sheet under the hood, in the trunk, and a third somewhere in the cockpit. Shazam! No rodents. And they smell nice."

Thanks, Dick. Your answer went right into my archives.

Q: We have a very long ranch that is over 50 years old. We have forced hot air heat/air conditioning through floor grates and overhead ducts. Every year the furnace is cleaned, I ask about cleaning the ducts. No one ever recommends it. But, I have not understood why. Please let me know the company you would suggest and how often.

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Remove mold, then take care of ceiling