How to Treat Mold in a Home and Remove Drywall
Even though mold is an annoying and possibly dangerous growth, you can remove it from various household surfaces using common household items. However, when mold begins to grow on the porous surface of drywall, removing it becomes more difficult. According to North Dakota State University, it is impossible to remove all traces of mold from drywall. Instead, you must remove the moldy drywall and replace it after you have dealt with the mold in your home. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Rubber gloves
- N-95 respirator
- Safety goggles
- Spray bottle
- Oxygen bleach
- Bucket
- Sponge
- Paper towels
- Utility knife
- Plastic bag
- Replacement drywall
- Plaster and drywall tape
- Plaster scraper
- Plaster
- Sandpaper
- Cloth
- Paint
Instructions
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1
Put on rubber gloves, an N-95 respirator and safety goggles before removing the mold.
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2
Mist the surface mold with water to prevent the fungus from releasing spores into the air during removal.
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3
Dissolve 1 cup of powdered oxygen bleach in 1 gallon of water. Dampen a sponge in the diluted oxygen bleach.
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4
Wipe the mold off hard surfaces -- such as tiles, countertops, plastic, wood, sinks and tubs -- with the damp sponge. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes before wiping it off with a clean, damp paper towel.
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5
Cut the moldy area of the drywall, using a utility knife. Cut several inches around the drywall in a square. Discard the molded drywall in a plastic bag and place it inside an outside garbage can.
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6
Cut the appropriate size of clean drywall from a piece of sheetrock. Drywall comes in various widths, so make sure you cut the replacement piece from a piece of drywall the same width as the one you removed the mold from.
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7
Position the new piece of drywall inside the hole. Apply plaster and drywall tape across each seam and cover with plaster. Let the plaster dry for 24 hours.
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8
Sand the dried plaster smooth. Wipe it clean and paint it.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
