Mould Removal Advice from Commercial Painting Experts
Here at Timeframe Group, our years of experience make us experts in mould removal. So today we bring you tips from our team of commercial painting professionals to help with all your DIY painting problems, particularly removing mould.
Exposure to damp and mouldy environments has been known to cause a variety of health effects, from less serious side effects such as nasal issues, throat irritation, coughing, and eye or skin irritation, right through to chronic lung illnesses. It is quite common for mould to grow in places that are prone to moisture, such bathrooms and laundries, as well as areas that have been subjected to leaks or flooding. Mould grows particularly well on ceiling tiles and wood, and can even be found paint, wallpaper and insulation.
Given the side effects, and variety of places that mould can be found, it is important to undertake mould removal before commencing any paint job. Read on to discover exactly how to remove mould from your home, office or commercial property.
How to Identify Mildew and Mould
Typically, mould appears as either black, grey or brown spots on the surface area of paint. Mildew is most commonly found on external painted weatherboards and is very similar in appearance. Both are caused by damp and little, or no, exposure to sunlight. This is very common on the underside of external eaves and weatherboards in shaded areas, as well as in wet areas like laundries and bathrooms commonly caused by poor ventilation.
Other Causes of this Mould and Mildew
- Poor quality paint not containing adequate amounts of mildewcide. This is an additive normally added by paint manufacturers designed to inhibit mold and mildew growth.
- Failure to prime bare wood before painting.
- Applying paint over existing mould or mildew which has not been removed.
Mould Removal Solution
Safety first: mould is a fungus and when airborne can be harmful to children, the elderly, those with a weakened immune system, or other medical conditions such as respiratory conditions like asthma. Ensure you have a good quality dust mask or respirator, full length clothing, rubber gloves, and goggles.
Preparing to Remove the Mould
Start by testing the area to ensure it is mould or mildew. You can do this by applying a few drops of general, undiluted washing bleach to the area in question. If the discolored area starts to disappear, and the paint surface reappears, then you are definitely working with mould or mildew.
Removing the Mould
Mix one part household bleach with three parts water and start applying it to small areas using a scouring pad. Keep scouring the area until all evidence of the mould is removed. Once the mould has been removed, thoroughly rinse the area with clean water. If you are treating an external area, then sodium hypochlorite can be used at a 1:3 ratio. For much faster results, you can also rinse the area with a pressure or power washer.
Painting
When it comes to painting an area that has been affected by mould or mildew, Timeframe Group recommends using a premium grade oil based sealer andundercoat to all affected areas. Most paint manufacturers say that you can apply their products directly, without an undercoat over these areas that have been affected by mould, but our paint pros tell us if you don’t want the mould to reappear, then it is best to use an oil-based undercoat first.
After you apply the oil-based undercoat, stepthen apply two coats of premium acrylic paint suitable for the area. There are many paints on the market that claim to resist mould. Our commercial painters recommend thatany premium grade semi gloss acrylic paint will do the job, provided that the area has been properly prepared and primed well prior to application of the top coating. For external areas, a suitable external grade semi gloss or gloss acrylic is recommended.
The most important thing to remember when it comes to mould and painting is that mould can quickly and easily eat through paint. Many people attempt to simply paint over mould, only to discover that in just a few short months, the mould has reappeared through the paint, or that the paint has started to peel off. Mould and mildewmust be removed before painting (even if you are using amould-resistant paint), and the source of the moisture should also be dealt with.
To prevent mould from reappearing, ensure your wet areas are well ventilated (install an exhaust fan to improve circulation). For external surfaces, washing painted surfaces with a mild detergent every 12 months will almost guarantee you will have a mildew free surface.
With more than 20 years in the business, Timeframe Group has a huge knowledge base on which we can draw to answer any painting related questions.
Why call anyone else, when you can call the experts: 1300TGROUP?