Removing Mold From Walls

Repair water problems to prevent mold growth.

Mold growth on walls is the result of moisture or water problems. Water damage can occur from broken pipes, floods or living in a naturally moist environment. Mold is a dangerous issue. If left unchecked, mold will spread and can cause several health problems. It also poses a danger to the structural integrity of your home. If you have a lot of mold, you might need professionals to remove it. However, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, "If the moldy area is less than about 10 square feet, in most cases, you can handle the job yourself."

Things You'll Need

• Mold-approved respirator
• Rubber gloves
• Safety goggles
• Fans
• Dehumidifier
• Mold killer or chlorine bleach
• Spray bottle or paintbrush
• Nylon scrubber or stiff scrub brush
• Rags

Instructions

1. Wear a mold-approved respirator, rubber gloves and safety goggles.

2. Open windows and doors to provide adequate ventilation. Set up large fans to circulate the air. Install a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air.

3. Spray or brush the moldy wall with a commercial mold killer. Some mold killers are available in a concentrated form and require dilution prior to use. Allow the mold killer to remain on the wall according to the manufacturer's directions, which can range from 15 to 60 minutes, depending on the brand. Chlorine bleach is also an effective mold killer. Spray moldy walls with chlorine bleach, and allow the bleach to remain on the surface for 15 to 20 minutes

4. Scrub areas of stubborn mold wild a nylon scrubber or stiff-bristle scrub brush. Wipe the wall with a rag to remove the remaining mold killer. Repeat if necessary to remove any remaining mold.

Tips & Warnings

• Apply a commercially available mold-inhibiting spray or mold-inhibiting paint to prevent mold from returning. Apply paint to dry walls only; if the water issue is not resolved, mold inhibitors will not work.

• If areas of mold cover a space larger than 10 square feet, hire a mold remediation specialist.

• If mold is due to sewage or unclean water, consider hiring a professional to clean the mold.

• Keep a dehumidifier running in mold-prone areas to help prevent future mold growth.

• Unless you locate the source of your moisture problem and fix it, mold probably will continue to appear.

References

• EPA A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home
• EPA Mold Clean Up
• "Reader's Digest Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual"; Family Handyman Magazine Editors; 2005