Upwards of 45 million buildings in the US have hazardous levels of mold.
If you have mold on the walls of your home, it is not something that will fix itself, so you need to have it removed. You can do this yourself if it’s not too bad, but in extreme cases, you might need the help of a professional mold remediation service.
For a guide on how do you get rid of mold on the walls of your home, keep reading.
Identify Signs of Mold
Mold can grow anywhere on internal walls, but it is most common near the floor and the ceiling. It is most likely to appear in rooms with poor ventilation such as kitchens, basements, and laundry rooms. Bathrooms are perhaps the most common due to the steam created from showers and baths.
Mold is usually quite easy to detect. Some of the most common signs include:
- Visible mold on walls or ceilings
- A damp/musty odor
- Cracked or peeling paint
- Allergy-like symptoms when indoors
It’s important to note that there is always a certain amount of mold growth before it is visible, so whatever mold you can see, the actual severity of it could be quite a bit worse.
Steps to Remove Mold
Even if the mold in your home doesn’t look too severe, it could still be affecting your health. It is important to get rid of it as soon as possible to prevent further growth.
1. Locate the Source
If you notice a small patch of mold on the bathroom wall, it usually won’t take too much to get rid of it. More severe, widespread cases can be much harder to deal with.
Identifying the source is the first step towards preventing future growth. This could be a leak within a wall, for example, and you’ll want to have this fixed immediately.
2. Wear Protective Clothing
Mold can cause skin irritation, as well as respiratory issues. You should prepare for this before cleaning any mold.
Wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants to protect your skin, and a filtered mask so that you don’t breathe in any spores. You should immediately wash these clothes once you are finished, or discard them completely.
3. Prepare the Area
You’ll want to clear the area as much as possible before you begin. This means furniture, curtains, and anything else nearby. If there is anything that you can’t move, such as heavy furniture, you should cover it with a plastic sheet, and secure it with tape.
During the mold removal, you don’t want to risk any spores getting onto anything, as that could allow the mold to return and keep growing.
You should also close any doors to stop the spores from spreading into other rooms or hang up plastic sheets where this is not possible.
4. Remove Surface Mold
The best mold remover for you will depend on the type of mold, so that is something determined on a case-by-case basis.
Sprays can be bought in hardware stores, or several DIY options are available using household ingredients – just note that DIY sprays can lose effectiveness in a matter of hours, so should be prepared just before use.
You can use natural mold remover, or bleach-based mold remover, depending on the surface the mold is on.
Natural Mold Remover
For painted, finished, or wallpapered surfaces you should use natural mold remover. Remove the surface mold by spraying it well and scrubbing it with a clean brush or cloth.
Respray the surface just enough to dampen it (not so much that it drips) and leave it for about 10 minutes. Wipe it over with a clean cloth, and allow it to dry overnight (don’t rinse). This should kill off any remaining mold that you can’t see.
Bleach-Based Mold Remover
Bleach-based solutions should only be used on hard surfaces such as bathroom tiles.
Spray the area well, and scrub with a brush, scouring pad, or rag, then wipe away any residue. Lightly respray the area (as with natural mold remover) and let it sit for 15 minutes.
Use a damp cloth to wipe the area and allow it to dry overnight. If any mold remains, repeat the process.
5. Cover Any Stains
Even if the mold has been killed and removed, some surfaces might still have stains.
If so, you can use an oil-based primer to conceal it, allow it to dry, then paint over the area. The primer is important as without it the stain may still show through the paint.
6. Prevent Future Growth
There are some simple precautions you can take to avoid the growth of mold. Ventilation is one of the best things to do, so try to keep windows open where you can. Even with windows closed, keeping curtains open to allow in sunlight can help.
Exhaust fans in basements, bathrooms, and laundry rooms will reduce the humidity in these rooms, so having these is ideal.
Carpets can hold moisture, so hard flooring can help prevent mold. A good midground is to have hard flooring and add a rug where desired.
Plants are also helpful, as they clean the air within your home, but are best for ventilated areas as the soil can invite mold growth when damp.
Regularly inspecting areas of potential leaks can help. This means places like the base of toilets and underneath sinks. If you do notice any leaks you should have them repaired as soon as possible.
Hire Professionals
This is all a long-winded process, and if not done properly, the mold can easily come back. The most surefire way to remove mold, and keep it gone, is to hire professional mold remediation services.
The professionals have all the best equipment at the ready, and the expertise to make sure the job is done properly.
Getting Rid of Mold on the Walls
If you have just a small patch of mold on the walls, you can usually take care of it yourself. For any severe cases, your best bet is definitely hiring professionals.
If you’re interested in reading more home maintenance articles, check out some of our other blogs.
