You may be wondering if simply painting over the mold in your house will kill it. The answer is simple. No, paint won’t kill mold, even if it is advertised as mold resistant. Mold is a fungus that thrives in any area that has enough moisture for it to take root and grow. You’ll see it as ugly patches of gray, brown, or black on your walls and ceiling. It is often accompanied by mildew, which is seen as a gray, yellow, or white substance that is fuzzy, fluffy, or powdery. Painting over it will temporarily hide those unsightly splotches, but the mold will continue to grow underneath.
Even when using a paint that claims to kill mold, you need to remove all this fungus before painting. If you don’t, your paint will bubble and chip. You can call Pur360 for help. Our mold remediation services will remove and kill the mold safely, and we will leave you with a clean, fresh surface to paint.
Things To Remember When Painting Around Mold
Always keep in mind that paint won’t kill mold. Some paints are described as mold resistant, but this only means that they’ll proactively prevent new mold. They won’t affect existing mold and mildew. Products like Kilz say that they will kill the mold, but you’ll still want to remove it before painting if you want the walls and ceiling to look good for a long time to come.
You can find mold-inhibiting additives at your local home improvement store to put in your paint. This is a good alternative if the ready-made mold-inhibiting paints aren’t available in the colors you want. Keep in mind that the additives aren’t as effective as the actual paints.
Understanding Mold and How to Combat It
Mold is a sign of a serious moisture problem that needs to be addressed before you paint. When painting inside or out, use a mold-killing solution to wash off the mold, or contact Pur360 to remove it for you. Allow the area to dry completely before applying mold-inhibiting primer and paint. The primer is an important step that you don’t want to skip.
After painting the area, you need to make sure the mold doesn’t return. This is done by controlling the humidity within your home. The bathroom is the most likely room to experience mold and mildew issues, followed closely by the kitchen. A high-powered exhaust fan can help. Install the fan as close to the source of the moisture as possible. In the bathroom, leave the fan running for 30 minutes after showering. Clean the fan often to remove dirt and dust that will inhibit its power. Mold on the exterior of your house can be avoided by cutting back shade trees so that the outside surface is exposed to direct sunlight.
Instructions for Removing Surface Mold
You’ll want to ensure that the source of the mold has been taken care of. In addition to high humidity that you can avoid by using an exhaust fan, mold can result from leaky pipes in the walls. You’ll need to contact a plumber to fix the leak before moving forward with your painting project. The drywall may need to be replaced if the damage is extensive. Simply cleaning the surface won’t remove mold spores that have made their way into the porous drywall material. We offer drywall removal and repair services that you can take advantage of. When dealing with the mold on your own, be sure to wear an N95 mask, eye protection, and rubber gloves.
Begin preparing the wall or ceiling for painting by scraping off all the peeling paint. This can be done with a scraper purchased at your local home improvement store. When painting indoors, go over the surface to be painted with a detergent recommended for mold removal. Use a rag to thoroughly clean the entire surface, even the areas where you don’t see mold.
Use a recommended cleaner for exterior surfaces when working outdoors. Apply it with a spray pump. Let it sit for the required time, and then rinse it off with a power washer. Whether the surface is inside or out, let the area dry completely before painting.
If you want to use a non-chemical cleaner, there are options available to you. Many people use a mixture of bleach and water in a spray bottle to wash off surface mold. This won’t penetrate into the drywall. White vinegar may be a better natural solution, as it will go deeper into the area to kill the root of the problem. Do not mix bleach and vinegar together. This will create a toxic gas.
Always prime your walls or ceiling before painting. Choose a high-quality mold-resistant primer and paint. The paint alone won’t kill mold, but it certainly helps prevent future growth and keeps the stains from showing through. Use two coats of paint. Semi-gloss and satin finish paints are best. They repel moisture better than a flat paint.
Common Areas Where You’ll Find Mold
Rooms with high humidity will be the most likely to see mold growth. This typically means the bathroom, but it can also be the kitchen. Showers and baths raise humidity levels substantially. Even boiling water on the stove adds moisture to the air. These are also areas where you could experience a leaky pipe that causes excessive moisture within the walls.
Other places within the home where you’ll find mold would be rooms that aren’t heated. This could be a seldom-used guest bedroom, office, or garage. Attics are susceptible to mold, too, especially if the bathroom fan exhausts into this area rather than outside. Leaky roofs also contribute to mold growth in the attic as well as poor ventilation. Any exterior area that is shaded can provide the perfect setting for mold, and porch ceilings don’t always get enough ventilation to prevent mold.
Health Issues Related to Mold
You want to make sure that all the mold is removed before painting in order to keep yourself and your household healthy. While there are home solutions for removing mold, you can also benefit from our mold remediation services. We make sure that the problem is solved completely before you begin painting. Mold comes in many varieties. None of them is safe to breathe. Doing so can cause chronic symptoms such as:
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Fatigue
- Irritated eyes
- Headache
- Sore throat
These symptoms can be extremely serious for anyone who suffers from chronic allergies or has an impaired immune system.
Trust the Professionals
Pur360 provides mold remediation, testing, and sanitizing services that can help you with your painting projects in areas where you have mold growth. Our team will remove the mold and any odor left behind with chemical-free solutions. In addition to mold removal, we can help with the actual painting. Additional services we offer in and other areas across the country include removal and repair of drywall and removal and disposal of carpet. We have fans and dehumidifiers you can rent as well for eliminating moisture within your home. Call Pur360 today to learn more about how we can get rid of the mold in your home.
