Home Maintenance 101: Dealing With Mold Before Painting

A wall stained with mold is a common occurrence. Mold typically thrives in spaces with high humidity and little light exposure. Unfortunately, it can affect most home areas, including the exterior. There are mold-resistant paints available to help prevent its growth. But how do you deal with the mold that is already visible?

In most cases, killing the mold and mildew prevents the regrowth that could spoil a paint finish. Please read on to learn more.

Remove the discoloration

Discoloration indicates the presence of spores in the painted surface or wood that can grow back. Some paints, especially alkyd, encourage the growth of some mold species. Growth will continue to discolor a fresh coat of paint, showing evidence of active mold.

To stop mold and mildew growth, give the area a good clean. Use a scrubbing brush and a combination of detergent and water to penetrate the porous surfaces and kill the mold. Typically, people use bleach. However, its molecular structure prevents it from penetrating the surface.

Use a penetrating disinfectant solution

On the other hand, the naturally-occurring mineral borax not only kills mold but also stays on the surface to block its return. Try mixing one cup of borax with a gallon of water to scrub the surface, then allow it to dry without rinsing. To make the solution more potent, add a cup of vinegar as it also kills mold.

There are many commercial disinfectant products available for scrubbing or spraying. If you prefer to use products containing bleach, this type is more effective on a non-porous wall unless it includes a substance that allows the bleach to penetrate.

Use a primer before painting

First, ensure that the surface is dry before painting. Any moisture included in a coat of paint will feed the spores still alive. But do note, even if the right solution is used, it does not guarantee the eradication of all spores.

Apply a couple of thick coats of an acrylic primer containing mildewcide. For indoor painting, choose a latex stain-blocking primer as it adds a non-porous coating to prevent mold from feeding on air-borne moisture. The thicker the application, the better protection it offers, so apply liberally.

Hire a professional painting service

To eradicate the appearance of a mold colony, painting over it doesn’t prevent it from reappearing. A viable solution is to clean the area with a mixture that kills and inhibits mold spores like borax. However, some mold species are more stubborn and can remain active.

To ensure the problem is dealt with as effectively as possible, reach out to a professional painter. Professional paint services not only treat mold but they’ll also make sure your paintwork is attractive and long-lasting.

Mark’s Painting offers residential and commercial painting for Tampa, Hillsborough, and Pinellas County. Exterior painting, including priming, sealing, plaster & drywall service, pressure washing. We paint interiors, including ceilings, walls, trim, baseboard, fireplaces, mantels, paneling, wainscoting, doors, and windows. We offer wallpaper removal, caulking, staining and varnishing, refinishing, texturing, specialty finishes, and more. We are licensed and insured. Call us at 813-295-7926