How To Treat Mould On Walls Before Painting

• What causes mould to grow on walls?
• The effects of mould growth on walls
• Can you paint over mould?
• How to prepare a mouldy wall for painting
• Book your mould remediation today

When any scuffs, scrapes, and stains appear on the walls of your home, you will probably be tempted to cover up the unsightly marks with a lick of paint. But if mould is growing on your wall, you will require a different method to restore the surface to its previous condition.

Here at ICE Cleaning, we offer thorough, long-lasting mould remediation services. Our technicians have been accredited by Dewpoint Professional and will carry out a nine-stage mould treatment. They are available nationwide, day and night, 365 years a year.

Keep reading to find out why you should remove mould before painting and how to clean mould on your walls.

What causes mould to grow on walls?

Mould is caused by excess moisture. This can be from high humidity, condensation, penetrating or rising damp, leaks, and wet surfaces. Other factors that can exacerbate these conditions include poor ventilation and bad air circulation. Mould growth on the wall is usually caused by:

• Warm humid air touching a cold wall, resulting in condensation forming on it and making the surface damp
• An underlying damp problem making the wall cold and wet
• Pockets of stale, humid air getting trapped behind furniture that is kept too close to the wall

Mould can thrive on walls as it can eat through paints that contain organic material. It can even grow behind wallpaper if water or moisture collects there. The glue that sticks to the wallpaper can trap dirt and dust, as well, providing the mould with a food source.

You can learn more about what to do when mould starts growing on or underneath your wallpaper in this blog.

The effects of mould growth on walls

Firstly, mould is harmful to be exposed to. It releases allergens, irritants, and occasionally toxic substances. When inhaled, ingested, or touched it can cause a range of health problems, from allergic reactions and respiratory infections, to more serious issues like sick building syndrome.

Some people are more vulnerable to mould exposure including people with pre-existing respiratory conditions or a weakened immune system, and people that are very elderly or young.

Mould can also damage your property and possessions as it spreads around your property, such as wooden furniture, fabrics, and even building materials. It is essential you get rid of it as soon you spot it to protect people’s health and your home.

Can you paint over mould?

You might assume painting over walls is an easy to cover up a small patch and stop it growing. But you must remove the mould beforehand, or it will just continue to grow, eat through the paint, and reappear on the surface. It can even cause the new paint to chip, bubble, and crack.

To avoid wasting money on new paint that gets ruined within a matter of weeks, you must remove all the mould first, solve the issue causing the mould, and then paint the surface.

How to prepare a mouldy wall for painting

Determine the cause of the mould

Whether it’s condensation, high humidity, or poor air flow around your furniture, you must rectify the issue. Even if you did remove the mould, the conditions that caused it to grow will still be present and it will grow back.

Professional mould cleaners, like our technicians, can diagnose the root cause of the mould so you can take the right measures to prevent it returning.

Remove the mould

Although there are plenty of mould removers available and mould cleaning hacks shared online, it is recommended you always bring in mould remediation professionals.

Not only is mould dangerous to clean yourself without the right personal protective equipment (PPE), you will probably not have the expertise to remove all traces of it. Any mould left behind will simply grow back.

Mould on walls is especially hard to get rid of as it can spread over a large area and grow in hard-to-reach areas. Professional cleaners will have the equipment, training, and tools to eliminate the mould in your home safely and thoroughly.

Prepare the surface for painting

Make sure the wall is clean and dry, and there is no loose material on it which could interfere with the finish or adherence of the paint to the surface.

Use anti-mould paint

To ensure your wall stays mould free, consider mould-resistant paint, primer, and sealant. They will contain fungicidal chemicals which create an environment mould can’t grow in. However, the chemicals do become less potent over time, so its ability to repel mould will wear off.

Book your mould remediation today

Our technicians have many years of experience removing mould from a range of properties. They have access to industry-leading equipment and can eliminate airborne mould as well as mould on hard surfaces.

To learn more about our mould removal services and get a free, no-obligation quote, get in touch with our team on 0208 066 0360 or enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk