I need the expertise of my AAHID comrades to understand any infection control concerns with perforating vinyl wallcovering to prevent mold growth between the vinyl and the gyp board wall.  Here in Colorado we have so few moisture issues with wallcovering that this is new to me.  If we specify perforation for the vinyl wallcovering in a health care environment have we created a new infection control issue?

Hi Sara:

Although we would love to use vinyl wallcovering more readily, designers here in Hawaii are always wary and concerned with mold issues.  Unlike Colorado, we have to deal with humid conditions most anytime of the year.

Our healthcare clients have standards that will either not allow VWC on their property at all - whether for exterior walls or interior areas.  Other healthcare clients will allow its use, but only in interior areas that may be conference, consultation or certain waiting areas.  When our local vendors are asked about perforated VWC and its use in Hawaii, almost all of them say, it’s not the VWC, it’s the substrate and the proper ventilation system in use.  In other words, they feel their product is only the most exterior layer that may exhibit the problem and that the real culprit lies beneath.

I would not use VWC - perforated or not - in patient care areas or on exterior walls, especially in our region.  In your area and with perforated VWC, its use in interior areas is probably a much safer install.  You might want to check with your local installers who have to correct any VWC issues their clients take to them.

Aloha,
Karen

Hello Sara,

I would expect you would have to weigh the benefit of vapor transmission
versus the creation of small nidia which could harbor microbes.  Certainly
vapor transmission would be very important on exterior walls where water moves from warm wet to cool dry and then could condense and form mold on
the back side of the vinyl.  The ultimate combination spec for humid
environments electing to use these materials would be to specify Georgia
Pacific Dens Armour Plus dry wall and a preforated vinyl.  Considering
the mostly arid environment in Colorado and the lack of documented infections due to wall (and for that matter floor) contamination I do not foresee an issue with using the preforated vinyl.

Daniel Price, Ph.D.
Director of Microbiology
InterfaceFLOR
1603 Executive Drive
LaGrange, GA 30241
Tel. 706-812-6266
Fax 706-883-6198

In the past we perforated the VWC to help prevent mold growth.  The problems were with the walls around the perimeter.  We have actually stopped putting VWC (perforated or not) on any “exterior” wall.

Gail Burns, FIIDA, AAHID
Principal
___________________
WHR Architects, Inc.
1111 Louisiana, 26th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
713-665-5665

I try to avoid vwc in patient care areas and on exterior walls now and use paint or painted techniques.  Also specifying non-paper faced drywall substrates. Some contractors will refuse to install vwc on exterior walls.  I would hesitate to perf vwc in any patient area as you want a sealed, scrubble condition.

Daniel,

I am so appreciative of your expertise. pn

Peggy Noakes, FIIDA, AAHID
Associate
__________________________

WHR Architects, Inc.
H o u s t o n . D a l l a s
3131 McKinney Ave.,Ste.340
Dallas, TX 75204
214.468.8505p 214.468.8526f
214. 239-2159 direct

It is also my understanding that you can perforate the vwc, but when you put adhesive on the wall…..and the vwc after that……….the adhesive will then go into the perforation and therefore it is no longer breathable.

Connie Burton, AAHID, ASID
Sr. Associate

http://www.gallunsnow.com

GALLUN . SNOW
1920 Market St. Suite 201
Denver, Colorado 80202
Main: 303 433-9500
Direct: 720 407-6003
fax 303 433-5624

Designing interior environments
that support health, delight the spirit,
and always surpass expectations.

As a construction project manager with a network of aging buildings, it has been my experience that any vinyl wallcovering perforated or not will allow mold growth. 

As long as conventional gyp board is used any moisture which finds its way between the VWC and the gyp board will likely result in mold growth.  Even moisture from incorrectly cleaned carpet will cause issues.

The only successful solution that we have found to inhibit the mold issue in our buildings has been to replace the infected sheet rock with Dens Armour (previously mentioned in this thread) and to use only painted finishes.

The pervasiveness of the mold issue has required a total ban of vinyl wallcovering in our facilities.

Patricia Fortenberry, IIDA
Facilites Project Manager
Seton Family of Hospitals
1300 West 34th Street
Austin, Texas 78705
512/324-3240