Mold can cause severe respiratory problems and other conditions, so it should be removed as soon as it is noticed. The method used to remove it from drywall varies, depending on whether it has been coated or not. If it is, then cleaning it with water and detergent should suffice. If not, that section of drywall must be removed, as it is too porous to be cleaned.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Coated or Painted Plasterboard
Step 1. Let the room ventilate well
To remove mold, you need to work with chemicals. Many of these can be harmful if inhaled. Consequently, you should keep the doors and windows open while you work. Turning on a ceiling fan or some other type of fan is also a good idea.
Step 2. Protect the surrounding area
To prevent potential damage from accidental chemical spills, protect anything you won't work on directly. Move to the other side of the room or arrange furniture and decor items outside. Cover the floor with newspaper or a protective plastic sheet; secure it with tape. Keep an old rag handy, you'll need it to clean up stains as soon as you notice them.
Step 3. Choose a cleaner
There are delicate and strong, natural and artificial ones. If you have small children or pets at home, you may want to prefer a lighter, more natural solution to an artificial one. Do you have a severe mold problem? A stronger chemical cleaner will be needed.
- Mix one part of baking soda with five parts of water. Baking soda is the lightest and safest cleaner available for fighting mold.
- Use plain vinegar or vinegar mixed with water (in equal parts). Vinegar is slightly stronger than baking soda, but is still natural and safe to use around children and pets.
- Try an odor-free cleaner. Since one of the easiest ways to identify mold is by smell, using an odor-free cleaner ensures that nothing will interfere with your ability to detect it. However, these detergents are relatively safe to use in the presence of children and pets, even if they are artificial products. Mix the cleaner with a small amount of water.
- Use bleach. Some sources recommend using bleach, while others don't. Objections to this product are mainly due to its aggressiveness and the potential damage it causes when it is breathed in. Some also believe that its effectiveness is not all that reliable and persistent. Nonetheless, it still remains one of the strongest mildew cleaners and is safe for painted drywall. Mix one part of bleach with three parts of water.
Step 4. Pour the cleaning solution into a spray bottle
After you've poured the cleanser and water into this bottle, shake it so the ingredients mix well. The solution should be well combined to ensure its effectiveness.
Step 5. Spray a small amount of solution on the mold
You don't have to soak the area, as the extra moisture can actually increase the mold problem instead of decreasing it. Spray the solution once or twice on the mold, making sure each area has been covered with the liquid. Do not use so much as to cause dripping.
Step 6. Scrub the area with an old toothbrush
A sponge with an abrasive side also works. Scrub the area until you no longer notice any discoloration on the wall or visible mold.
Step 7. Dry the area
Since mold can start to develop if you leave the humid area, aim a fan on this space to make it dry faster.
Step 8. Apply a stain hiding product
If light stains remain even though the mold has been removed, use a primer that blocks and dyes them to hide them.
Method 2 of 2: Uncovered Drywall
Step 1. Cover the area with a plastic sheet
As you work, mold spores may "escape" from the drywall. To prevent them from reaching all the way to the floor, cover it, and also coat everything in the surrounding area. Use a plastic sheet and secure it with tape.
Step 2. Mark the areas of the wall that have mold
Use a pencil to lightly draw a box around any area that has visible mold. The section should be larger than the stain itself. It should occupy an area that extends over two wooden beams behind the drywall. Removing more wall than necessary will increase your chances of getting rid of non-visible mold spores. In addition, it will allow you to replace this section of drywall.
Step 3. Cut the area with a utility knife
Cut out following the line you drew, trying to be as precise as possible. After you have cut this piece of drywall, remove it and place it on the plastic lining the floor, the side with the mold should be facing up.
Step 4. Clean the room using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter
The mold spores may have been displaced in the process, but a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter should get rid of them.
Step 5. If the mold spot has appeared near a door or window, have someone spray water on the door or window while the inside wall is open and check for moisture
Sometimes it may be necessary to spray for at least five minutes before any leakage occurs. Once identified, it seals both sides of the wall, internal and external, to prevent the presence of moisture (cause of the presence of mold).
Step 6. Before replacing the drywall, it is advisable to paint the interior cavity of the wall with an elastomeric paint, in addition to the back side of the drywall that you intend to change
Cut a new section of drywall. Use a tape measure to measure. Using a utility knife, cut a new section of drywall based on these measurements.
Step 7. Place the new piece of drywall in the hole
It should line up perfectly with the rest of the wall.
Step 8. Secure the new section of drywall
Use special screws and a screwdriver to attach the drywall to the wooden beams of the back wall.
Step 9. Apply drywall putty
It should be applied around the perimeter of the new drywall section. This allows you to make it adhere to the rest of the wall and seal any cracks between the sections.
Step 10. After the grout has dried, sand the area to make it smooth
After 24 hours, you can use sandpaper or a low-powered sander to smooth out the dry compound.
Step 11. Vacuum the entire area with a HEPA filtered vacuum
The mold spores may have landed on the surrounding walls or floor, despite having a plastic coating in place. Remove them as much as possible with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter.
Warnings
- See a professional if you can't fix a problem on your own. Black mold is especially toxic and should be handled by an expert. For other types of mold, if it extends over a large part of the plasterboard, you may want to call a specialist company to find a solution. These services may also be needed if you have a damp home, if a family member suffers from respiratory problems, or if mold keeps coming back and spreading.
- Always wear a face mask when removing mold. Get a disposable one to avoid breathing in too many mold spores. Also, add some goggles and rubber gloves (the ones you would use to clean the house). In this way, you will protect your eyes and skin from both mold and artificial substances that you will use to eliminate it.
