Should You Painting Over Mold or Mildew?
Mold can be hard to spot, even for an experienced homeowner. But it’s not always easy to get rid of once it’s formed.
Some homeowners think that the best solution to a mold infestation is to paint over it, but that’s not the case. When a home is painted over an infestation of mold, it can actually spread and cause bigger problems. It’s important to understand the difference between mold and moisture before deciding on your next step.
In this blog, we’re going to explain how painting over mold can make things worse and whether you need to deal with mold yourself, or if you should call in the experts.
WHAT IS MOLD?
Mold is a fungus that grows on organic material. Mold grows in damp, dark, and airless areas. It does not grow in bright sunlight. It is often found in the bathroom, kitchen, basement, and laundry room.
WHAT IS MILDEW?
Mildew is a fungus that grows on inorganic material. Mildew grows on dry surfaces and often appears in the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room. Mildew can be difficult to remove because it is usually found in dark, damp areas.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MOLD AND MILDEW
While mold and mildew are often used interchangeably, there is a big difference between the two. Mold is a fungus that grows on wet surfaces. It can grow on dry surfaces, but only when they are wet. It is a natural part of the environment and can grow on any organic surface. Mold can be found on plants, wood, plastic, paper, fabrics, and in our homes.
Mildew is caused by a fungus that grows on wet surfaces. It can also grow on dry surfaces, but only when they are wet. It is not a natural part of the environment. Mildew is a common household problem that grows on everything from wallpaper to clothing.
Mold is the first thing to appear on a surface. Mildew is usually the last thing to appear on a surface. Mold is easy to see. Mildew is harder to see. It is often mistaken for mildew because it can grow on the same surfaces.
The best way to know if you have mold or mildew is to see it. Mold will be grayish, greenish, or white in color. Mildew will be a grayish-green color. If you can see mold, it will grow very fast.
SIGNS THAT YOU HAVE MOLD OR MILDEW
Signs that you have mold or mildew in your home are often difficult to spot, especially if the problem is not visible to the naked eye.
If you suspect that you have a mold or mildew problem, check for these signs:
1. Smell – Mold and mildew produce a foul, musty odor.
2. Stains – If you see stains on walls, carpeting, furniture or other surfaces, it may be mold or mildew.
3. Damp – If you notice that your home is dripping, has a wet or musty smell, or if you see signs of dampness on surfaces, it may be a mold or mildew problem.
4. Appearance – If you see yellow, black, green, brown, or white patches on walls, floors, or furniture, you may have a mold or mildew problem.
5. Fungi – If you notice any signs of fungi in your home, you may have a mold or mildew problem. On the whole, mold and mildew look like mushrooms. They grow in the same way, too.
6. Health – If you notice that your child has a cough or that your family is having breathing problems, you may have a mold or mildew problem.
7. Damage – If you notice that your home is damaged or if you see any holes in the walls, you may have a mold or mildew problem.
WHAT CAUSES MOLD AND MILDEW?
Mold and mildew are caused by the growth of fungi. Mold and mildew are a natural part of the environment. They can grow on almost any organic surface, including plants, wood, paper, fabrics, and in our homes.
Fungi are microscopic, single-celled organisms that feed on organic material. Mold and mildew are a type of fungus. They grow in damp, dark, and airless areas. Mold does not grow in bright sunlight. It is often found in the bathroom, kitchen, basement, and laundry room.
The most common causes of mold and mildew are:
1. Dampness – If you notice a wet or musty smell in your home, it may be a mold or mildew problem.
2. Lack of ventilation – Mold and mildew thrive in damp areas where there is little air circulation.
3. Moisture – If you notice that your home is dripping, has a wet or musty smell, or if you see signs of dampness on surfaces, it may be a mold or mildew problem.
4. Excessive humidity – Mold and mildew are not usually a problem in a home that is not very humid.
HOW TO REMOVE MOLD PERMANENTLY?
The first step to remove mold is to clean the affected areas of your home with a mild soap and water mixture. This will help to remove any mold spores that are on the surface of the walls and floors. If you have visible mold on your ceilings, walls, and floor, then you should use epoxy paint to seal the surfaces.
The next step is to spray bleach on the mold so that it will be killed and prevented from growing again. You can also use other chemicals such as vinegar or ammonia to kill the mold.
If your home has a basement, then you can use a dehumidifier in the basement to remove moisture from the air. This will reduce the chance of mold growing in your basement.
If your home has a crawl space, then you can use an air compressor or fan to circulate fresh air through your home. This will prevent moisture from building up inside your home. You should also consider installing a humidifier in your crawl space so that you can avoid having too much moisture in the air inside your home.
However, it’s not guaranteed that mold won’t come back after some time. That’s why it’s recommended to locate the source of moisture or leakage problem. If you find mold on surfaces like walls or floors, consider hiring a professional to clean it up. Some molds are toxic, so it’s best to leave them alone if you don’t know what you’re dealing with.
Should You Paint Over Mold or Mildew?
Paint over mold is not a good idea because it will not be very effective at removing the mold and mildew. This means that you will be left with a moldy surface that will attract mold and mildew in the future.
Painting over mold and mildew can be effective if you are using paint that is specially designed for mold and mildew.
You can also choose a paint that contains a mildewcide or molded. This is a great option because it is possible to kill the mold and mildew in your home, even after you have painted over it.
In conclusion, the decision to paint over mold or mildew is a personal choice. If you have a large amount of mold or mildew on your walls, then you may want to consider having a professional paint them. If you are trying to sell your home, then you may want to consider having the mold or mildew removed. However, if you don’t want to deal with mold or mildew, then you can paint over it. You should always be careful to check the walls and floors for mold or mildew before you paint over them.
It’s not guaranteed that mold won’t come back after some time. That’s why it’s recommended to locate the source of moisture or leakage problem. If you find mold on surfaces like walls or floors, consider hiring a professional to clean it up. Some molds are toxic, so it’s best to leave them alone if you don’t know what you’re dealing with.
Need professional help? Call Calgary Painters for a free quote. We provide interior and exterior painting services.