If you’ve spotted mold on your drywall, you may be dealing with water damage from a leak or perhaps a flood. Whatever the case, getting rid of it should be top on your priority list. Mold can pose a significant health risk if you or a family member has allergies. For instance, it can worsen asthma symptoms or lead to Aspergillosis. Also, according to WHO, mold growth in homes can trigger bacteria production that may result in bronchitis and other respiratory conditions. Removing mold from your drywall is possible. Here’s a guide to mold in homes, eliminating mold, and preventing it from reappearing on your drywall and other surfaces.
What Is Mold?
Mold is a fungus present outdoors and indoors and comes in different colors, including pink, black, and white. There are at least 300,000 mold types. However, most of them are harmless, specifically those found outside, like on grass clippings. The black type called Stachybotrys chartarum is the most destructive. Other classes to watch out for are:
- Penicillium- typically green or blue-colored and appears after water damage
- Alternaria- present in damp spaces like showers or beneath sinks
- Cladosporium- naturally grows on wood and fabrics
- Aspergillus- an indoor mold that grows on drywall and food products
Mold can enter your home by attaching itself to you, your items, or your furry friend. It may also enter through the air through entryways. After landing in an area with ideal conditions, the spores will grow, typically in a damp surface with food sources.
What Is the Mold Remediation Process?
Mold remediation identifies the area suffering mold damage, restores it, and adopts suitable preventive measures. Generally, it involves two processes; mold reduction and removal—the former requires tearing the drywall, applying a chemical, and encapsulating the structure.
How To Get Rid of Mold on Drywall
There are various home DIY methods of eliminating mold on drywall. Depending on the level of damage, you may need to use cleaning agents of varying strengths, from household products like vinegar and regular bleach to commercial mold killers.
Whatever agent you choose, we recommend using heavy-duty gloves and a mask. Also, it would help to go for environmental-friendly cleaners to limit health problems.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to mold removal on drywall.
You will need the following supplies.
- Bleach
- Cleaning cloth
- Stain removers
- Scrub brush
- Mold remover
- Rubber gloves
- Anti-mold primer
- Waterproof sealant
- Heavy-duty sponge
- Dehumidifier
- Bucket
- Painter’s tape
- Mold-resistant paint
- Safety masks
- 3% Hydrogen peroxide
- Baking soda
- White Vinegar
- Box fan
Step 1: Determine the extent of mold damage
Assessing the area affected by mold guides you in determining whether scrubbing will suffice for the mold removal process. Otherwise, you may have to replace the entire drywall. Check whether the mold is at surface level or if it has permeated the wall. It would be best to seek mold remediation services from a trusted restoration company if it’s the latter.
Plus, if this isn’t the first time experiencing mold on a particular drywall area, consider checking for damaged insulation, unusual humidity levels, or improper circulation.
Step 2: Gather necessary tools
Once you’ve determined the extent of mold growth, the next step is to gather what you need. The must-have items are a safety mask, scrubbing brush, cleaning cloth, and a cleaning agent. The choice of agent will depend on the damage and whether you prefer an organic type to a chemical one and vice versa.
Step 3: Prepare
It would be best to prep the area before you begin mold removal. Remove all items that may suffer damage from bleach and other agents. Also, ensure children and pets stay away.
Step 4: Begin mold removal
Start by wearing all personal protective equipment, including the respirator and heavy-duty gloves. Open all entryways to promote circulation as you shall be using agents that release fumes.
Typically, bleach works to kill mold in non-porous areas. Consider using bleach if the damage is surface level. All you need is to mix one cup of bleach with a gallon of water. You could pour it into a spray bottle and spritz it onto the damaged area. Alternatively, you could dip the cleaning cloth in the solution and place it on the affected area. Leave it to sit for ten minutes, then rinse the area using a clean cloth.
A mold remover combined with hydrogen peroxide, water, vinegar, and baking soda is much more effective at eliminating mold from its roots. Spray the solution and leave it on the drywall for ten minutes before using the scrubbing brush to remove the marks. Next, wipe the area using a cleaning cloth.
Alternatively, you can use these eco-friendly solutions to kill mold.
- Baking soda and water- mix equal parts of these products and leave them on the affected area. You don’t need to rinse the area. This mix offers additional protection from mold.
- Distilled vinegar-spray the vinegar on the drywall, scrub gently, then wipe
- 1 part Hydrogen peroxide and two parts water- mix the two and spritz, then wipe it off
Bring out your box fan, face it towards the treated area, and then leave it on for a day to speed up the drying process.
Step 5: Cover and repaint
Ensure the drywall is completely dry. You’ll probably notice discoloration on the treated area. Fortunately, this stain is from the cleaning process and not a sign of mold formation. Use the mold primer to cover the treated area. This product contains a fungicide that kills any untreated spores. Once covered, use a mold-resistant paint product to restore the drywall.
Step 6: Monitor humidity levels
Keep the treated area dry and under humidity levels ranging from thirty to fifty percent to discourage mold reforming.
Mold Prevention Tips
While it is nearly impossible to prevent spores from entering your house, you can make the house unsuitable for indoor mold growth through moisture control.
Repair all leakages
Repair all leaking faucets and pipes to prevent water damage and the reformation of mold on your drywall. Ensure the surface and subsurface drainage systems are also working.
Lower the humidity levels
High humidity equals mold growth. To keep the levels in check, install dehumidifiers and ac units in bathrooms and other areas susceptible to moisture build-up, e.g., the laundry room and the kitchen. As for dehumidifiers, the electric types are more effective than the chemical ones. However, they are pricier and louder.
If you prefer chemical dehumidifiers, the initial cost will be pocket-friendly. However, you will need to buy replacement tabs for absorbing moisture constantly.
Insulate your home
Insulating your pipes, roofs, windows, and walls can help prevent condensation that facilitates mold growth. Sometimes, insulating a specific area can turn one area of the room susceptible to mold growth. Therefore, we recommend working with an insulation expert rather than going the DIY route.
Conclusion
Mold can significantly damage drywall resulting in structural problems. It can also pose health risks if you have allergy-sufferers in the house. For this reason, you must address this problem immediately.
DIY mold remediation is okay for surface-level damage on drywall. However, if the growth is present in more than ten square feet of drywall, it would be wise to call a professional restoration company. A trained mold remediation team will kill the mold, reconstruct the building and help you with your insurance claim. Don’t wait until the mold damage affects your entire home; speak to an expert and restore your home to its pristine state.
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