Mold On Drywall Should I Clean
Apartment next door got flooded and some water sipped underneath the wall. The floor buckled and had to be replaced. After removing floor trim I discovered some mold under the baseboard.
I cut out a portion of drywall and sure enough, there is mold on both sides of both layers of drywall. But the mold formed only on the surface, in the paper coating. The gypsum itself looks white and clean. So here’s the dilemma: should I simply scrub and clean with 1:10 bleach solution, or should I cut and replace affected part of the wall? I already made the decision to replace trim boards.
Bonus question: is there something I can do to prevent this from happening again? For example, can I put some kind of water barrier inside the wall, since it is likely that I will have to open it up anyway?
What Is White Mold
White mold is often found in cool, damp environments such as in basements on walls and other structures. It is often confused with efflorescence, which is a mineral deposit that forms on foundation walls and other masonry surfaces due to water seepage. You can test to see if its mold by spraying it with water. If it dissolves, it is a mineral deposit if it does not, then its most likely white mold.
How To Remove Mold From Drywall
Did you know mold on drywall can lead to serious respiratory disorders? It is important to remove mold as soon as you notice it has started to grow.
Methods for killing mold differ depending on if the walls are painted or not. In case the drywall is coated, it can be easy to clean by merely using water and an appropriate cleaning agent. However, the task is a lot more difficult when the wall is not painted.
There may even some occasions even where you need to simply remove the drywall and start again. But before we get you into a panic, lets take a look at how to remove the mold using good old elbow grease.
Our recommended way of removing mold on drywall is to use a mold fogger, however if you want to try other methods first then keep reading.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. All opinions are our own we pride ourselves on keeping our articles fair and balanced. For more info see our disclosure statement.
You May Like: Can I Test Myself For Mold Exposure
How To Remove Mold On Any Type Of Drywall
Mold discovered on the interior walls of a rental is an environmental hazard that can cause concern among tenants. Not only does it look unpleasant, but exposure to toxic mold is a health hazard that could cause health problems such as respiratory issues, rashes and chronic fatigue.
As a landlord, you can be held liable for any issues caused by mold in your building. Tenants have won multi-million dollar cases against landlords for significant health problems caused by exposure to toxic mold in their rentals, so its best to take care of the problem not only for the health of your tenants, but for your wallet.
If you suspect mold in your rental, learn what to look for and how to safely remove mold on drywall so you can avoid any rental complaints and ensure a safe and healthy living space for your tenants.
Seal Moldy Areas After They Dry
- Set out dehumidifiers and new fans to dry the now-cleaned areas for at least three days, then check them by sight and smell for mold.
- Pro tip: If you discover more mold, clean again with bleach for mold remediation.
You May Like: How To Clean Mold And Mildew From Washing Machine
What To Do If You Have Mold
If you do find mold in your home, youll need to take action as soon as possible. The longer its left to grow, the worse it will get. Its vital to start working to get rid of it, as soon as you see it.
As a homeowner, its tempting to get involved with some DIY to get rid of the mold, if you can easily access it. There are lots of sprays and remedies available for mold, but they may not be effective for the mold in your home. You may clear away the surface layer, but there will still be mold underneath. As well as this, when dealing with mold there is risk to your health. If you dont have the right equipment, you could aggravate any allergy symptoms youve already experienced with the mold.
Firstly, what you should do is look for the cause of the mold. Whats giving it the right conditions to grow?
- For example, is there poor ventilation? Look at bringing in a contractor to improve ventilation in the room.
- Has there been a flood? Youll need to properly dry out the room before you can start dealing with the mold.
Once you know whats caused the mold and corrected it, then you can call in the experts to tackle the mold itself. Theyll be able to remove the mold entirely, removing the risk to yourselves and your home. In some cases, this may require the removal and replacement of drywall, if the mold has been growing for some time. Whatever the case, its always best to call in the professionals to handle it for you.
What Does Black Mold On Drywall Look Like
Black mold on drywall generally looks like a circular black stain on your drywall.
While the color can vary from a dark gray to dark black depending on how long the mold has been there, it is normally black often with white fuzz.
Black mold usually will have a fuzzy texture, similar to a cotton ball, when it is first growing. Fuzzy spores are less common in older black mold.
Black Mold that has been sitting for a long time will look more like a flat black stain than fuzzy spores.
Black Mold patches on drywall usually grow in a circular shape that are denser toward the middle.
The thickest part of the black mold will be closest to the cause and hardest to eliminate.
Read Also: Can Mold Form On Concrete
Know Your Mold And Mildew
Mold can grow in your home wherever theres an abundance of moisture, especially when its allowed to remain for extended periods of time. Mold usually appears on walls, ceilings and floors of homes where moisture management is not at its best. In particular, basements, shower walls and windowsills are areas where mold commonly likes to live. Mold and mildew, for all intents and purposes, are essentially the same thing mildew is generically used to describe many minor mold problems in the home, such as on shower tile grout. However, some molds can become highly toxic to people if left to prosper. Mold can cause allergic reactions, asthma and other respiratory complications, and is especially a risk for small children, the elderly and those with existing respiratory illnesses or weakened immune systems. Mold can appear in many shapes and colors, none of which accurately determines the actual species of mold. However, it does commonly present itself in various tints of black, white, green or blue, and in many combinations of these and other colors.
How To Remove Mold From Walls
Black mold has become a buzzword in house buying and selling, and it is undoubtedly a cause for concern if the mold in question is Stachybotrys, which has the highest toxicity. However, the fact is that all kinds of mold are everywhere, both inside and outside your house. The real problem is when mold levels are more concentrated inside than outside.
Often gray, white, green or black in appearance, mold in your house is most commonly found in damp, poorly ventilated, and warm places such as bathrooms, basements, kitchens, and laundry rooms. And whether or not it poses a high level of toxicity, you still dont want it on your walls. In this post, we will discuss how to remove mold from walls.
Also Check: Does Home Insurance Cover Mold Remediation
Should I Replace Drywall Covered With Black Mold
Black mold grows well in drywall because it is porous ,made of organic material and can hold water well perfect material for black mold to flourish.
Black mold Can even eat through your drywall and cause structural damage.
If Uncontained ,black mold can spread quickly through drywall causing very significant damage.
If the wall itself is soft to the touch, there is too much mold to clean off the drywall needs to be replaced. Remove the affected drywall and let any framing or remaining drywall dry thoroughly before you replace the drywall.
When mold growth has gotten this far, it is often better to call a professional instead of doing it yourself.
A professional will be able to assess the extent of the damage and ensure that all drywall is safe and secure.
Black mold on Drywall?
Scrub Moldy Surfaces With Mold Cleaner
- Scrub the surface mold stains from walls and wood trim with a mixture of one quart water and 1/2-cup bleach mold cleaner to kill the mold.
- Use a soft brush and work until signs of the mold disappear.
- After scrubbing the surfaces, allow the bleach solution to continue to penetrate the surfaces and dry.
- Wipe off, but DO NOT RINSE these surfaces.
- Set trim in direct sunlight to dry. Scrub concrete with TSP or automatic dishwasher detergent.
Read Also: What Gets Rid Of Mold In The Shower
Use A Bleach/water Combination
Using a mixture of 0.5 cup bleach to 1 quart water, take a scrub brush and lightly brush the drywall until all of the signs of mold disappear.
Youll want to wipe off the surface once it has disappeared, but make sure you dont rinse the surface. By leaving the bleach on, youll be able to kill the spores which may be in the drywall.
Expose the drywall to sunlight if at all possible.
Is This Part Of A Home Sale
Homebuyers who request that the seller remediate the mold prior to purchasing the home usually want to see professional work. Equally importantly, they want to see an invoice reflecting that the work has been done. If you do the work yourself and it doesn’t pass the second inspection, the home sale comes to a halt until the work is complete.
Don’t Miss: Can You Recover From Black Mold Exposure
How Long Does It Take Drywall To Dry After A Small Leak
It completely depends. If you experience a leak but quickly dry the affected drywall and the room its in, with ventilation and heating it will usually dry after in about 3 days.
But it can take several weeks, wet drywall ceilings will usually take at least a week.
If your drywall is covered in flat or semi-gloss paint then the moisture probably isnt sealed inside the drywall, this is good news and should lead to a quicker drying process.
If however your drywall is covered in vinyl wallpaper or high-gloss enamel, it will likely take longer to dry.
We have Water Damage Restoration Technicians that can help Dry out your Wet Drywall and Repair any Water Damage.
For Disasters of all Sizes,available in 95% of the USA
Remove Mold On Unpainted Drywall
If youve discovered mold on unpainted drywall, the issue is much tougher to deal with since there was no protective barrier to help prevent mold from penetrating deeper.
In this case, youll need to remove the affected and surrounding areas on drywall and replace it. First, make sure you stop the source of moisture and then follow these steps to remove mold on unpainted drywall and replace it.
Also Check: How To Clean Up Mold On Carpet
Remove Mold From Drywall/painted Walls
Mold can often grow on drywall and painted interior walls, especially in areas where moisture and humidity are a factor, such as kitchens and bathrooms. Walls can also be affected if your roof or exterior walls are infiltrated by water. If the drywall remains wet, mold can begin to grow and penetrate the drywall throughout. When this happens, the drywall must be removed and replaced, as you will not be able to get rid of all mold under these circumstances.
Tools And Protective Gear
Cleaning up mold requires basic tools like a spray bottle, old rags, bleach, detergent, plastic and garbage bags. You should also use protective gear including high-quality latex gloves, a personal respirator, and safety goggles. This prevents you from breathing in mould spores that can trigger allergies or cause serious health problems.
Also Check: How To Eliminate Mold In Crawl Space
Different Types Of Mold
Although most mold on drywall looks like black splotches, mold can appear in various shapes and colors, none of which actually determines the species of mold. Learn the different types of mold so you can detect which kind has affected your home.
Black Mold: Black mold is often found inside houses with excessive moisture damage. The mold itself isnt harmful, but it has the potential to produce mycotoxins that could potentially cause harm to people and pets if left untreated over a long period of time.
White Mold: White mold often grows in cool, damp environments such as basements and is often confused with efflorescence, which is a crystalline deposit of salts that can form when water is present. To test it, spray it with water if the spot doesnt dissolve then its most likely mold.
Blue Mold: Blue mold has a bluish-green color, can grow within 24 to 48 hours and requires little moisture to develop. It can be found in drywall, wallpaper, ceilings, and insulation that has been damaged by water. It can also be found in areas that are often damp such as bathrooms.
Green Mold: Green mold may be identified by its greenish hue and is found in dark, damp recesses. Like blue mold, its often found in damp areas like bathrooms or dark corners.
Cause Of Black Mold On Drywall
Drywall is basically the best place for mold to grow. It loves growing on something that is made from gypsum which is a white colored powdery material that is encased in two soft papers. Paper is a great source of food for mold to take in and grow in. It loves making itself a home in a material such as this. Since drywall is quite large, it has plenty of room to make space for itself.
However, it can only grow in the presence of moisture. If your drywall has some moisture coming out of it, youll soon realize why there are small patches of mold all over it. It can be found in washrooms, basements, or even walls of your room where the waterlines go from. Since the material is so light, drywall takes in water very quickly and absorbs it into itself. It would take a lot of careful consideration before you begin clearing up the wall.
Don’t Miss: How To Get Rid Of Mold Under Kitchen Sink
When To Call A Professional
Should the drywall be completely soaked by floodwater and you suspect there is a lot of moisture that needs to be dried out inside the wall its probably best to call in a professional to do the job.
They will have the industrial-grade equipment required to properly remove the water & dry out any remaining moisture.
With water damage to drywall, you dont want to waste time. You dont want to let it sit there and deteriorate even more. This can lead to mold taking over your wall and causing structural issues within all your home.
We have Water Damage Restoration Technicians that can help dry out the walls & Repair any Water Damage to Drywall.
For Disasters of all Sizes,available in 95% of the USA
When To Consult A Mold Remediation Expert
Most types of mold spores multiply within 48 to 72 hours of moisture, and black mold becomes more of a possibility the longer water damage remains, usually after 7 to 10 days. So, if you have an area that has been damp or wet for a period of more than a few days, its best to consult with an expert in mold remediation for professional services. You should also call mold remediation experts if the mold covers areas of 10 square feet or more, if it is in hard to reach places or reappears after your cleaning efforts.
Recommended Reading: How To Remove Mold From Curtains
Diy Mold Removal Options For Drywall And Wood
As you can see, removing black mold on drywall and wood is not very difficult. It basically requires some elbow grease and a mold stain remover cleaning agent.
Check out our DIY mold removal eBook for more detailed steps on how to be successful with this. This link also contains some important safety information and equipment you will want to use if you decide to remove it yourself!
If youre not comfortable doing it yourself, and you live near one of our locations in Chicago or St. Louis, you can contact us to get it done. Either way, removing black mold on drywall and wood is nothing to be afraid of.
Black Mold On Drywall
Are there black spots on your drywall that might be Mold? Looking for the best ways to Get rid of Mold from your drywall walls or ceilings?
In this guide you will learn:
- How to recognize black mold on drywall or ceiling,
- Common causes and how to remove black mold from drywall,
- How to prevent black mold from starting on drywall and spreading further.
Black mold grows and spreads extremely quickly on drywall and can show up when even small amounts of moisture are present.
Its extremely important to Get rid of Black Mold on Drywall as soon as you start noticing it to prevent serious mold damage!
You May Like: What Does Mold Look Like In Crawl Space
