thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Dec 28, 2014 22:40:20 GMT -5
I had mold in my master bath a few years ago. We stripped the whole bathroom down to the studs and the mold appeared to only be in the drywall. We got tested and they said no remediation was necessary. We got all new everything. That was after a bunch of years of showers. We redesigned the shower to be open at the top and put in a really expensive exhaust fan. That was about 4 years ago-ish.
I have noticed dark spots on the ceiling right above the door to our shower, and recently I decided I couldn't ignore it anymore. So, I read 90 websites on how to get rid of surface mold. I decided to do a Borax solution and a scrub brush. Now I have a smear and my ceiling is 5 different colors. I think the scrub brush I used scraped the finish off the drywall. I will most definitely have to re-paint the ceiling. {{sigh}}
My question is - if I repaint anyway and use a quality primer - do I have to do any further cleaning of the mold? I can get in there and really scrub it down, or just hit it with bleach a few times before I paint - but won't a coat of paint seal off the drywall for a few years?
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dannylion
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Gravity is a harsh mistress
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Post by dannylion on Dec 28, 2014 22:47:40 GMT -5
I'd use bleach, but there is also a product called, I believe, Microban, that is supposed to prevent or at least reduce the development of mold in structures. I have no idea where to get it or how much it costs. When the supply line to my refrigerator icemaker leaked and damaged the floor, the people who repaired the damage used it on the affected areas.
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Green Eyed Lady
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Look inna eye! Always look inna eye!
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Post by Green Eyed Lady on Dec 29, 2014 0:02:03 GMT -5
Use bleach. Mold is alive. It has to be killed. Painting over it won't kill it. Neither will just scrubbing it. All you do is help release the spores that will spread the mold. In addition, to ruining your drywall, it can be pretty harmful to those with allergies. You have to also alleviate the reason the mold is growing which, in your case, is the high humidity in your bathroom. You might try also running a de-humidifier in addition to your fan. Also leave the bathroom door open whenever possible, if you don't already do this.
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Bonny
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Post by Bonny on Dec 29, 2014 0:14:02 GMT -5
I'd call what you have "mildew" vs mold but don't ask me why.
You need a paint with mildewcide.
Home Depot has some. Your local Ace Hardware will add it for a price. (Not much; probably around $5.)
FWIW people would laugh at me (including my husband) about mold and mildew problems in Az
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thyme4change
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 26, 2010 13:54:08 GMT -5
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Post by thyme4change on Dec 29, 2014 8:45:30 GMT -5
When I got up this morning, the area looked pretty good. I guess the multi-colors I saw last night were different variations of wetness from the borax.
I was thinking about using bleach, but more than one website said that bleach is problematic, including soaking the drywall and not drying which causes more mold down the line. Borax or baking soda were the #1 choices on most of the places I looked, with a caveat that if they didn't work, move to bleach. I'm going to watch it for awhile and see if it looks clean.
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ArchietheDragon
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Post by ArchietheDragon on Dec 29, 2014 8:46:07 GMT -5
Mold in the desert? Now I have heard it all!
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mollyanna58
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Post by mollyanna58 on Dec 29, 2014 8:53:29 GMT -5
I asked someone at an insurance restoration service (who does large mold cleanup jobs) what they would recommend for small home cleanup. She said Home Depot has a spray product with hydrogen peroxide that works very well. They use a more concentrated peroxide product on their large jobs.
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thyme4change
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 26, 2010 13:54:08 GMT -5
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Post by thyme4change on Dec 29, 2014 9:07:43 GMT -5
Mold in the desert? Now I have heard it all! I know! Driest frickin' place in the country (okay, not really) and I have mold. I guess that is the downside of having a small bathroom? |
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Bonny
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Post by Bonny on Dec 29, 2014 11:23:58 GMT -5
Mold in the desert? Now I have heard it all! I remember the first time I left the AZ house for a month in CA.
Guest bath toilet was black with mold.  I had never seen anything like it before.
The combination of high heat and no air circulation (interior bathroom) caused the problem.
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Formerly SK
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Post by Formerly SK on Dec 29, 2014 11:56:32 GMT -5
I'd call what you have "mildew" vs mold but don't ask me why.You need a paint with mildewcide. Home Depot has some. Your local Ace Hardware will add it for a price. (Not much; probably around $5.) FWIW people would laugh at me (including my husband) about mold and mildew problems in Az Funny, I've also just called that mildew. We get it in our master bathroom, too. I just spray bleach on it and wipe it away. I hadn't thought it a big deal.  Our bathroom has a vent, DH just doesn't like to run it very long because he thinks it'll start a fire.  |
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