If you have a persistent mold problem in your home, it’ll vitally important that you address the issue as soon as possible for the safety of you and your family. One solution to mold is mold-resistant paints, but do they actually work?
Anti-mold paint is an effective way of preventing mold growth. Mold-resistant paint gives your walls protection against mold and fungus for 4 to 6 years. Anti-mold paint is fungistatic, meaning that it only slows the growth of mold but doesn’t kill it. Anti-mold paint only works when the area has been cleaned of existing mold.
In this article, I’ll discuss the effectiveness of anti-mold paint, how to apply it correctly, and when it’s recommended to call in a professional to deal with the issue.
How does anti-mold paint work?
Mold will continue to form on non-specialist paints, growing and feed on the material that is behind the paint. This causes damage to the material, not to mention the health problems that can be caused by mold.
Specially formulated anti-mold paint is much more effective at preventing mold because it contains biocides and has anti-microbial properties which give far more protection to the surface that has been painted.
This prevents the spores from finding their way to the surface and growing there. Although it will stop any new mold from forming, it’s important to remember that it doesn’t kill the existing mold.
This is because anti-mold paint doesn’t kill the fungus, instead, slowing down the growth of new mold in both wet and dry areas.
Is mold-resistant paint also moisture-resistant?
Although it does not prevent condensation from forming, mold-resistant paint can protect the surface it’s coating from absorbing water. This helps to prevent the fungal spores from breaking through the paint and into the material underneath, which in turn helps to prevent the growth of mold.
As mold-resistant paint is effective at preventing water absorption, it’s the perfect choice for use in bathrooms and also on ceilings and drywall.
How long does mold-resistant paint last?
Mold-resistant paint is long-lasting and will generally last for between four and six years before needing to be reapplied. Its protective properties will also protect your walls from mold for the same length of time.
To get the benefits from your anti-mold paint, you should make sure that the wall is cleaned and dried before you apply the paint. The use of primer, sealant, and paint-guard will also help it to last for the maximum length of time.
However, it is important to remember that mold-resistant paint cannot kill the mold outright, as it can only slow down its growth. Therefore, it is not guaranteed to completely prevent mold on your walls.
Can you paint over mold?
Therefore, although painting over mold can often seem like a quick and easy solution, it is not the best thing to do in the long run. This is because mold is a living organism and will continue to grow underneath the paint.
When it comes to anti-mold paint, people mistakenly believe that it kills mold, which is not true. Anti-mold paint is actually fungistatic, which means that it prevents the growth of fungus. Painting anti-mold paint directly over the top of the existing mold will have no effect on preventing it from returning.
Also, unlike stains and other marks which are easy to paint over as they are flat, established and severe mold usually has a raised and bumpy surface. This causes difficulties in having the paint adhere to the wall, leaving it with a raised appearance that does not have a smooth and appealing finish.
Anti-mold paint is only a temporary solution
It’s much better if you can determine the reason that mold is growing on your wall and try to get to the root of the problem. Quite often, it can be due to the amount of humidity in your home, although it could also be because of issues such as damp.
If this is the case, you will need to find the cause that’s leading to the growth of mold as anti-mold paint will not resolve the issue. Anti-mold paint should only be seen as a temporary solution to the problem. I recommend calling in a professional who can identify the problem and deal with the mold.
Call in the professionals
Calling in a professional mold remediation company is an effective way to ensure that there is no mold on your walls. They can be particularly useful in diagnosing any surfaces that are completely overrun with mold as in that case the surface would need to be replaced.
Mold can be a serious risk to your health, causing allergies, respiratory problems, coughing, sore throats, and skin and eye irritation, among other things. It is a particular risk to young and old people or those who already have a weakened immune system.
If there are just a few spots of mold on your walls, then you can make use of anti-mold paint. It is important to remember that anti-mold paint will only work if you use the correct method to apply it.
How to apply anti-mold paint
When you are preparing to paint anti-mold paint onto your walls, you should always make sure that the area is clean and completely free of mold.
If there is mold, you must remove it first before painting. Use the following steps to prepare the area and ensure a professional finish that makes maximum use of your anti-mold paint.
- Prepare a mixture of 1/8 cup of bleach (30ml) with 1 quart (1 liter) of water to treat the mold.
- Using a disposable brush, thoroughly scrub the surface with the solution to remove all of the mold from the wall.
- Once you have cleaned the area, you will need to thoroughly dry the surface. You may need to use a fan or a dehumidifier to speed up the process and make sure the wall is completely dry.
- Now it’s time to apply the primer. It is a good idea to use a mold-resistant primer to give as much protection to the surface as possible. You can also use the mold-resistant primer on the lower wall, ceiling and all wall edges and corners.
- Allow plenty of time for the primer to dry.
- Once the primer is completely dry, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for applying the mold-resistant paint.
- Begin painting at the bottom and work your way up to the top.
- If it is recommended by the manufacturer to apply a second coat of paint, then allow at least 24 hours for the first coat to dry before applying the next one.
