Learn how to properly and safely apply fungicides and anti-mold paint to eliminate mold. Discover if anti-mold paint needs to be white and how to reduce the risk of mold reappearing on your walls. Also, understand when fungicides and anti-mold paints might not be effective.
Mold on walls is more than an aesthetic issue. It poses health risks and indicates a moisture problem. Mold requires two elements to thrive: moisture and food. Eliminating either element can solve the mold problem. Carbohydrates, starch, or cellulose found in wall putty and standard paints provide food for mold. Therefore, walls with moisture and these materials create a perfect environment for mold growth.
First Fungicide, Then Anti-Mold Paint
How to properly remove mold using fungicides? There are several ways; it’s good to inquire at well-equipped paint stores about their available products, but the procedure is generally similar. First, remove the existing mold from the wall using a damp cloth. Wipe the mold carefully, rinsing and wringing the cloth frequently.
Related Articles
BEST METHODS TO RID WALLS OF MOLD
Once the wall is thoroughly dry, apply a colorless mold-killing solution, usually diluted with water. Follow the instructions on the packaging for best results. Some products come in spray form and do not need to be diluted. Apply the fungicide once, and if necessary, a second time after the first coat has dried (approximately 8 to 12 hours later).
Once the walls are completely dry from the fungicide application, apply paint, but not standard semi-dispersive paint – use wall paint that prevents mold formation. These paints are formulated without ingredients that mold can use as food. Future painting should also use these anti-mold paints.
This is the standard procedure, but as mentioned, inquire at the paint store about available products and compatible combinations. Avoid buying a base coat from a different manufacturer than the paint, as they might not be compatible. Note that anti-mold paints can also be tinted with pigments.
When Do Anti-Mold Products Have an Effect?
Keep in mind that fungicides cannot always completely solve the problem. They will certainly slow down mold growth, but if there is an underlying issue, mold will eventually return. Moisture can arise for several reasons. Sometimes, moisture on walls occurs due to high air humidity from inadequate ventilation, which is an easy problem to solve.
Sometimes moisture in walls and mold formation can be due to poor thermal insulation, causing condensation on cold walls. This problem can be mitigated with better heating and reducing air humidity. Avoid drying clothes indoors; ventilate when cooking or showering. Sometimes mold appears on exterior walls due to poor air circulation, often behind furniture.
Pay attention to furniture arrangement, as it might help alleviate the problem. The most effective solution is external insulation of cold walls, but that requires significant investment. The biggest problem, and the hardest to solve, is poor waterproofing, where walls draw moisture from the foundation, known as “capillary moisture.” In such cases, remediation is possible but requires experienced waterproofing specialists, as it is a complex task.
Photo: Freepik