How to Take Care of Mold in Basement Drywall
Mold in a basement is a serious problem. Some types of mold produce a chemical called mycotoxin that is dangerous to breathe. Mold reproduces by sending out invisible spores that can travel across large areas. To remove mold from your basement drywall, you must cut out and throw away the mold-damaged drywall. Then you need to remove any spores that may have traveled to other areas of the basement. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Plastic drop cloths
- Disposable rubber gloves
- Goggles
- Respirator mask
- Utility knife or drywall keyhole saw
- Non-ammonia cleaner
- Hot water
- Bleach
- Wet-dry vacuum
- Fans or air-exchange unit (optional)
Instructions
-
-
1
Repair any water leaks or moisture problems to prevent further mold problems.
-
2
Ventilate the room as much as possible. Open windows and doors that let in fresh air. But close doors that lead to other areas of your home to keep the mold spores from spreading.
-
-
3
Use plastic drop cloths to cordon off the moldy area, if necessary. Hang them from the ceiling using thumb tacks or tape.
-
4
Put on rubber gloves, goggles and a respirator mask. Check with the manufacturer of each if you are unsure whether they are approved for mold removal. For example, the Michigan state government advises people to use goggles that have no ventilation holes, and respirator masks with an N-95 or HEPA cartridge.
-
5
Cut out the moldy section of drywall with a utility knife or drywall keyhole saw. The cutout section should be 12 inches larger than the mold-contaminated area. Throw away all debris.
-
6
Clean any nonporous areas with hot water and non-ammonia cleaner or detergent. Remember that mold spores can land anywhere, so ceilings will have to be scrubbed as well.
-
7
Rinse the area with hot water. Use a wet-dry vacuum to remove water and debris.
-
8
Make a bleach solution to disinfect the area around the cutout section. Add 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. Wipe down the area with this solution.
-
9
Allow the area to dry. This may take days, but you can speed up the process by setting up some fans or an air exchange unit.
-
10
Monitor the entire basement for further contamination. If the problem does not go away, you may need to hire a professional mold-removal contractor.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If your mold problem keeps returning, you may have to remove floorboards and check behind walls to find the source.
Some people are allergic to mold, and will need to be especially careful. Some symptoms are a runny nose, sinus congestion, sneezing, eye or skin irritation, and fatigue.
