I’ven been noticing mold growing around the corners of my bathroom ceiling and are now spreading. What’s the most effective way of getting rid of mold?
belen2499
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Mold in a bathroom is a delicate process to get rid of and you just cannot paint over it as you will need something that acts as a barrier against the moisture.
Bathrooms are prone to mold and mildew buildup because of its moist, humid environment. Mold can be one of the most damaging elements in your bathroom. If left uncleaned, it can cause hard-to-remove stains, bad odors, and extensive damage to your bathroom walls and fixtures not to mention health hazards.
However, it can also be the hardest to remove, especially if it’s been building up for some time. Here’s a step-by-step guide to removing mold and keeping your bathroom mold-free.
1. Scrub off existing mold from the walls and ceiling using household bleach and a piece of cloth. Dilute the bleach (two parts water to one part bleach) to keep from damaging the wall paint or tile. Rinse the cloth under running water from time to time to remove the mold and keep from spreading it to other areas. Remember to wear gloes and protective clothing, and keep the area well-ventilated.
2. When you’ve scrubbed off the surface mold, wash off the remaining bleach with water and allow the surface to dry. You can use fans to help them dry faster, opening a window helps too.
3. Using a roller, apply a coat of Bin paint to the surface. This will remove stains and keep existing mold from sticking to the wall. It also keeps leftover mold from growing back out on the surface. Allow the paint to dry (usually about 45 minutes). Note: This step is not necessary for new bathrooms.
4. Apply two coats of mildew-proof bathroom paint over the Bin paint. This paint contains a special resin that prevents mildew from growing back, even in moist environments. It will not kill existing mildew, however, so make sure you’ve removed it all before applying the paint. Wait one hour before applying the second coat.
Mold-proofing your bathroom
Keep moisture low. Mold and mildew grow on moist surfaces, so keep things as dry possible. Do not leave towels on the floor or keep damp clothes in piles. Keep the room well-ventilated so that excess water can evaporate faster. Use a ceiling fan or open a window when taking a hot shower so steam and moisture can evaporate and escape.
Clean mildew-prone areas regularly. Use a sponge or squeegee to remove excess moisture from walls and shower curtains. Scrub these areas every other week with a bleach and water solution.
Hang loose cloths. Mold can accumulate on damp cloths that are left crumpled or in contact with the floor. Hanging them from a rack will allow them to dry before mold or mildew can grow. Make sure you hang them stretched out, as mold can grow between the creases. Mold can also spread from the floor to the walls.
Brighten up. Dark areas are more prone to mold and mildew growth. Use bright lights and light colored paint or tiles. Install light bulbs in dark areas like closets and cabinets.
Filed under kill mold, mold removal, remove mold by on Mar 18th, 2009. 7 Comments. 
If there is wallpaper and it is seeping through the wallpaper. Do I have to remove the wallpaper & kill the mold then get new wallpaper? How do you kill mold on the wall?
jeff s
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mold can be a very serious and dangerous problem in your home. if you don’t have an exhaust fan in your bathroom this could be the problem, but you do need to find out the cause of the mold otherwise it will be back no mater what you do. at the very least you need to cut a hole in the wall (about hand size) and look at the back of the piece of drywall that you cut out, then with a small mirror and flashlight look inside the wall for signs of mold or mildew. you should wear gloves and a dust mask when you do this. some forms of household mold are very dangerous and sometimes deadly to humans. what your inspection reveals will determine how to fix it. if you need more info at that point feel free to e-mail me and i will answer your questions.
Filed under kill mold by on Mar 14th, 2009. 2 Comments.
I found out that the vent on my roof that is used for the bathroom fan is leaking a bit. I’m going to take out the vent and re-install it making sure that it is well sealed. There is some mold around it on the surface of the plywood (the side that is in the addict). the house is only 4 years old and I’m told I should be able to just use some bleach and kill the mold after making sure it is sealed and I should be good to go. Just looking for other opinions/suggestions.
Jim N
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Bleach does NOT kill mold. You must use a biocide or anti-microbial. Supporting article: http://www.normi.org/articles/bleach-mold.php
It won’t be easy on a substance such as plywood because of it’s multiple layers into which mold spores can penetrate. However, after an application of biocide or anti-microbial and allowing time to dry, check to see if it returns. If not, I would seal with Shellac. Just brush it on. Sealers/Primers such as KILZ often contain Shellac because of it’s sealing properties and the fact that any finish including paint can be put over Shellac. If you elect to use KILZ or a similar product, make sure it has a anti-fungicide in it. If not, it can be added.
It won’t be easy on a substance such as plywood because of it’s multiple layers into which mold spores can penetrate. However, after an application of biocide or anti-microbial and allowing time to dry, check to see if it returns. If not, I would seal with Shellac. Just brush it on. Sealers/Primers such as KILZ often contain Shellac because of it’s sealing properties and the fact that any finish including paint can be put over Shellac. If you elect to use KILZ or a similar product, make sure it has a anti-fungicide in it. If not, it can be added.
Filed under kill mold by on Mar 12th, 2009. 9 Comments.