As a homeowner, nothing is more panic-inducing than seeing spots of mold all over your drywall. Because not only is mold hazardous to your health, but it can quickly spread to everything from the studs in your wall to your floorboards.
Fortunately, if you’ve spotted just a bit of mold, you don’t need to panic. But you might be wondering, can you get mold out of drywall?
As a homeowner, unless you’re dealing with a significant mold problem, you can handle this yourself. There are a couple of cleaners that will tackle mold and mildew, and using them is easy.
Here’s what you need to know.
How To Remove Mold From Drywall
If the mold on your wall is less than 10 square feet and your drywall is not soft to the touch, you can clean the walls yourself.
Here’s what to do:
Step 1 – Locate The Source Of The Moisture
If you have black mold in your drywall, you have a moisture problem. Without the moisture, the mold wouldn’t be able to take root and spread.
So before you address the mold itself, you need to fix the root problem.
- If the mold is in your garage walls or ceilings, it may be due to a leak or poor insulation – check both.
- If the mold is in your home, check for plumbing leaks, basement drainage problems, and excess humidity levels.
- If the mold is in your bathroom and there are no leaks, ensure your exhaust fan is working correctly.
Step 2 – Choose A Cleaner
There are a few ways to kill mold on drywall. The most effective are undiluted white distilled vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and commercial cleaners like Concrobium Mold Control.
Contrary to popular belief, bleach is not the best mold killer for drywall. This is because bleach only kills the surface mold and doesn’t stop it at its source.
If you want to be on the safe side, I recommend visiting your local hardware store and picking up the Concrobium Mold Control spray.
Step 3 – Prepare For Cleanup
Before getting started, you’ll need to put on gloves and a mask. If you have a vacuum with a HEPA filter, you can use it to remove some of the mold spores off of the wall before you get started.
If you’re working in a common area or dealing with a lot of mold, consider blocking off the site with plastic, so the mold spores don’t contaminate the rest of the room.
Step 4 – Remove The Mold
Now it’s time to remove the mold and mildew. Again, the steps will vary depending on which cleaner you choose.
For Concrobium Mold Control:
- Spray the affected area with a thin layer of the cleaner
- Allow the area to completely dry
- Use a dampened cloth or soft-bristled brush to scrub off the surface mold and then wipe clean
- Reapply the spray and allow it to dry to prevent future mold growth
For Vinegar:
- Put undiluted white distilled vinegar in a spray bottle
- Spray the moldy area and allow to sit for one hour
- Scrub off the mold with a soft-bristled brush
- Rinse with a damp rag and then pat dry
- Reapply a thin layer of the vinegar and allow to dry
For Hydrogen Peroxide:
- Fill a spray bottle with hydrogen peroxide
- Spray the moldy areas
- Allow it to sit for at least ten minutes
- Scrub the mold off the wall
- Wipe clean and dry
- Repeat if necessary
Step 5 – Bring In A Fan (Optional)
If your drywall is in the least bit damp, bring in a box fan, face it toward the drywall and let it run for 24 – 48 hours. This will speed up the drying process.
If you leave your drywall damp, new mold growth may appear.
If you have a dehumidifier, bring it into the room with the mold problem and let it run for a day or two. This will also help speed up the drying time.
What Can Kill Mold On Drywall?
Several cleaners can kill mold on drywall. However, some of them, like bleach, only kill the surface mold. Your best bet for complete mold removal and prevention is a cleaner like Concrobium.
You can also use hydrogen peroxide or white distilled vinegar to kill mold. However, vinegar doesn’t kill ALL types of common household mold, so it may not be as effective.
How Do You Get Rid Of Mold On Drywall Permanently?
As long as the mold on your drywall is minimal, you can permanently remove it by cleaning with Concrobium, vinegar, or peroxide. Each of these can kill mold and may prevent future mold growth.
Does Drywall With Mold Need To Be Replaced?
Drywall with mold doesn’t necessarily need to be replaced. If there are only a few spots of mold, you can easily clean it up yourself.
However, if the drywall is soft to the touch, you do need to replace it. If you don’t, the mold may spread to the other sections of the wall, your floorboards, and even the studs.
What Are The Side Effects Of Mold On Drywall?
Mold infestations can cause respiratory and allergy symptoms. Common symptoms include itchy eyes, nose, throat, runny nose, a cough, and more.
This is why it’s essential to treat mold as soon as you spot it. Failure to do so will lead to mold spreading throughout your home or garage.
Conclusion
If you’ve noticed a few spots of mold on your drywall, try not to freak out. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for mold issues to pop up, at least occasionally for most homeowners.
If the mold areas are less than 10 square feet and the drywall is not soft to the touch, you can easily do a DIY clean-up by following one of the methods above. On the other hand, if the mold in your home is extensive, your best bet is to call a professional mold remediation crew.
