There’s nothing more distressing to a homeowner or renter than discovering mold on the walls of a home. Mold grows fast in moist, dark environments, and it can cause a number of health problems if left untreated.
In rooms with tons of moisture, it’s not uncommon to find black mold peppering the walls, but there are ways to get rid of it. Here are X efficient steps to getting rid of mold on walls.
Reasons Why You Get Mold on Walls
It’s never fun to find black mold on your walls, but it doesn’t just grow there by accident. You, your family members or renters on your property may be doing or not doing something that’s contributing to the problem.
As mentioned, mold usually thrives in dark, damp spaces, so bathrooms, kitchens and basements tend to be the favorite place for mold growth on walls. These rooms are also usually more humid than others in the home. If that moisture has no chance to dry, it will almost certainly help mold grow on walls.
Poor ventilation can also cause mold to grow on your walls. If you don’t have an exhaust fan or a window in a bathroom or kitchen, then the humidity from the shower or boiling water has nowhere to go. If your home or rental property doesn’t already have an exhaust fan in the bathroom, install one immediately.
Rotten insolation in your walls can also contribute to mold growth on walls. Restore the insolation in your walls to prevent mold from taking root on your walls.
Best Treatments to Get Rid of Mold on Walls
If you do detect mold on your walls or ceiling, don’t panic. You probably won’t need to hire someone to rip out and repair your ceilings. You may be able to do the work yourself.
There are different sprays that you can buy at your local hardware store or you can mix your own at home. Follow the instructions on the bottle to take care of the mold on your wall. This should clean your wall, though not all sprays will kill the mold spores deep in your drywall.
The other best treatments for getting rid of mold on walls are really preventative. First, install an exhaust fan in bathrooms to get rid of humidity. After showering, open the window and let the exhaust fan run for about 20 minutes once you leave the room (keep that door open, too).
Leaky pipes can also cause mold to grow on walls, so if you see a leak, fix it right away. The longer you wait, the greater — and more expensive — the damage might be.
How to Remove Black Mold from Walls
Here’s how to remove black mold from walls easily using a mixture that you can create at home.
Step 1: Mix one part bleach to three parts water in a spray bottle (think ¼ cup of bleach and ¾ cup of water).
Step 2: Spray the mixture onto the mold on your walls. Open the windows and let a fan run so you’re not inhaling the fumes from the bleach.
Step 3: Let the spray soak into the wall for several minutes.
Step 4: Use a scrub brush to remove the mold from the wall.
Step 5: Once the space is mold-free, spray it with undiluted distilled white vinegar and leave it for an hour. The vinegar will kill any mold spores deeper in the drywall.
If there’s a lot of mold, then you may need to repeat this step several times to get rid of it all.
Cleaning White Mold off Wood
If you find white mold spreading from walls to wood floors (or if you have wood panels on your walls), then you do need to remove it quickly before it spreads further. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Vacuum the space. This will help catch mold spores and stop them from spreading. Empty the bag after use.
Step 2: Wash the moldy spot with soap and water first using a scrub brush.
Step 3: Mix baking soda and water in a spray bottle and swirl until the powder has dissolved. Spray the mixture onto the wood surface.
Step 4: Once the mold has been cleared, spray the area with undiluted distilled white vinegar and leave it for an hour. This will help kill the mold spores lingering deep in the wood grains.
If needed, repeat the steps as many times until the mold is gone.
Fighting mold on walls and wood can be a serious problem, especially if it’s in your rental property. If you’re having trouble with mold, let the experts at Atlas Lanes help you make your property habitable once again. Contact us today.
