How to Paint Moldy Walls
Home-repair pros recommend taking care of a mold problem before painting any walls. Tackle only small mold infestations yourself -- a patch no larger than about a square foot. For larger areas, contact a professional, as a mold infestation is to be taken seriously. Mold can trigger a variety of health problems, ranging from headaches to asthma. Removing larger infestations generally involve the use of high-efficiency particulate air vacuums. Once the mold is completely removed, paint the walls, but use a few mold-prevention techniques.
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Things You'll Need
- Safety glasses
- Dust mask
- Rubber gloves
- Bucket
- Unscented detergent
- Scrub brush
- Water
- Clean cloths
- Paint
- Primer
- Mildew-resistant latex paint
Instructions
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Wear safety glasses or goggles, along with a disposable dust mask when cleaning up the mold. Also wear a pair of household rubber gloves.
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Go over the moldy area with a scrub brush dipped in a solution of unscented detergent and water. The unscented detergent makes it easier to detect any residual moldy odor. Mix a couple of drops of detergent in a bucket of warm water to make the solution.
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Rinse the area with a clean, wet cloth to remove any soap residue. Wipe dry with a clean cloth.
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Wait a few days to see if the mold comes back. Recurring infestations indicate a more serious problem deeper in the walls. Contact a professional mold-removal contractor.
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5
Apply an even coat of stain-killing primer to seal the walls once they dry and show no signs of mold growth.
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Paint the walls with mildew-resistant latex paint.
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