Mold can be a serious issue, especially if it is growing on your drywall. Not only does mold look unsightly, but it can also cause respiratory problems. In this blog post, we will discuss how to remove mold from drywall. We will provide tips for both painted and unpainted walls, so you can choose the method that works best for you. Keep in mind that if the mold is severe, it is best to hire a professional cleaner.
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How Mold Forms
Mold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid areas. Mold can be black, green, gray, or white, and it often appears as spots or streaks on walls. You may see mold on the wall after a water leak, such as when you have had a flood or pipe burst, but there are many other reasons why mold might form. Mold can grow in any environment that is warm and moist, such as bathrooms, kitchens, basements, crawlspaces, and attics.
How to Remove Mild to Moderate Mold from Painted Walls
If the walls are painted, you can clean them by using water and an appropriate cleaning agent. Here are the steps:
- Make sure the area is well-ventilated.
- Wear gloves and a mask (the CDC recommends a disposable, NIOSH-approved N-95 filtering facepiece respirator, or an N-95 respirator) to protect your hands and lungs.
- Pour water onto the moldy areas and scrub them with a mold cleaning agent or a vinegar and hot water solution.
- Rinse the walls with clean water and allow them to dry.
How to Remove Mild to Moderate Mold from Drywall
If you are removing mold from drywall, you will need to take a more aggressive approach. Before you begin removing mold from your drywall, make sure the source of moisture has been eliminated. Whether it’s a leaky window, a plumbing fault, or water vapor seeping through a concrete floor, you must correct the issue otherwise mold will just grow right back.
You must also decide if removing the mold is really the best choice. If your drywall is soft to the touch, it has been damaged by moisture and fungus. In this situation, it’s preferable to remove the drywall, destroy the mold on the framing beneath, allow it to dry, and get new drywall. In other cases, cleaning the drywall thoroughly may be able to salvage it.
Here’s how to remove mold from drywall:
- Wear rubber gloves and an N-95 mask
- Remove the surface spores with a vacuum and a brush attachment
- Use a special mold cleaner or a solution of hot water and vinegar
- Spray or brush the drywall with your solution and leave it for 10 minutes. Then, sweep the surface in a circular pattern with a medium-bristled brush
- Repeat as many times as needed to remove mold
- Dry the wall. Set up a box fan to point at the wall, and wait at least 24 hours
- Use mold-killing primer and paint to conceal any remaining discoloration
Hire Professional Mold Mitigation Services
If you have severe mold growth on your drywall, it is best to hire a professional cleaner like Shepherd’s Disaster Recovery & Remediation. Our pro cleaners use specialized equipment and techniques to remove the mold quickly and effectively. Give us a call today at (650) 459-4557 or visit our website to learn more about our mold removal services.