How to Remove Mold From Sheetrock
Sheetrock, a trademarked name for drywall, becomes a breeding ground for mold if it gets wet. Before you begin removing moldy drywall, eliminate any source of moisture, like a water leak, and ventilate the area to dry everything out. Don't use fans. Mold spores travel on air currents, so fans may spread the problem. After you finish the removal process, watch the area carefully for several weeks to make sure the mold doesn't return. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Rubber gloves
- Mask
- Measuring tape
- Plastic drop cloths
- Utility knife
- Hammer
- Trash bags
- Hot water
- Stiff brush
- Non-ammonia detergent
- Wet-dry vacuum
- Bleach
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Instructions
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Put on rubber gloves and a mask. Open external doors and windows to ventilate the area.
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Measure the moldy section of drywall. If it extends more than 25 square feet, the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends calling a professional to eliminate the mold problem. If it is less than 25 square feet, you can clean it yourself.
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Close off other sections of your home to prevent mold spores from migrating out of the repair area. Use disposable plastic drop cloths to cover entryways. Shut off central air and heating systems that could suck mold spores into your vents and ductwork.
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Throw away any nearby porous materials that are moldy or that you think may become moldy. For example, if a carpet near the moldy Sheetrock is wet, chances are that it will develop mold. FEMA says, "When in doubt, throw it out."
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Use a utility knife to score around the moldy area of drywall. If the area is large, use the utility knife to score the drywall into several smaller pieces.
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Break a hole in the drywall with a hammer. Pull away the drywall with your gloved hands by snapping it at the score lines. Put each piece into a large trash bag. Seal each bag tightly as soon as it is full.
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Use hot water, a stiff brush and a non-ammonia detergent to rinse all hard, non-porous surfaces near the area, including the inside of the wall. Use a wet-dry vacuum to remove the water and to vacuum the surfaces inside the wall.
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Make a solution of 90 percent water, 10 percent bleach. Disinfect the repair site and its surrounding area with the solution. FEMA recommends letting the solution sit on surfaces for at least 10 minutes, rinsing with clean water and using the wet-dry vacuum to remove the excess.
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Tips & Warnings
Wait until the area is completely dry before replacing the sheetrock with a new piece. FEMA says this typically takes two to three days.
References
- Photo Credit leaky ceiling 1 image by askthegeek from Fotolia.com
