How to remove mold from the ceiling
Mold appears in many homes on the ceiling due to humidity and the darkness or poor ventilation of the room. It is important to remove it as soon as possible, since it not only gives an unsightly appearance but is also toxic and can be dangerous. It can cause anything from an allergic reaction or cough to difficulty breathing. It is recognized by its appearance, usually black, gray or white, and its peculiar smell. It is important to repair the damage that has caused it to prevent it from forming again, which is normally a crack or leak that is letting moisture through. It must be cleaned well and eliminated, in addition to preventing it from appearing on future occasions. There are certain types of mold that must be removed by professionals due to their toxicity. In this FoxWiki article we explain how to remove mold from the ceiling step by step.
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Ventilate the room and repair the leak
First of all, once you know that there is mold, you must ventilate the room affected. Mold, as we have said, is toxic and better if the room is ventilated. If it is closed you can place a dehumidifier or a fan. It also forms in spaces with high humidity and little ventilation or light such as storage rooms or basements. Remove all the boxes that you have around you or the furniture that is there and make sure that they have not been contaminated, since it grows on any organic surface (boxes, carpets…). Don’t worry if the mold has spread because it can be cleaned and removed.
Additionally, you should look for the problem that caused it, which is probably a leak. When there is any, water accumulates and mold forms. You must repair the leak as soon as possible so that the water stops leaking since if you clean the mold but do not repair the leak it will grow again.
Prevent mold on the ceiling
Since mold grows in dark places, it is best to open the windows to let air in and light through. If you can’t, add some artificial light in the room. This will prevent the colony from developing further. mold on the ceiling. In addition, if it is artificial light it will also provide heat which prevents mold from appearing.
You must improve the thermal insulation from your house so that it doesn’t appear again. If you do not have thermal insulation, the change that occurs from the cold outside to the heat inside the house produces a moisture condensation effect that makes the appearance of mold more conducive. Thermal insulation will act as a barrier, especially in areas close to heating, ventilation or air conditioning systems.
If mold has occurred in the bathroom, which is quite common due to humidity of these areas, keep the screen or curtain The shower Open and ventilate the bathroom for at least 15 minutes. For future occasions you can place an extractor that will help reduce humidity. Towels are best hung in another room until the mold has disappeared and the room has been conditioned again. When you shower, instead of leaving the wet towel in the bathroom, it is advisable to hang it somewhere outdoors until it dries.
In the same way that happens when you wash clothes. If you don’t have a dryer, try to keep wet clothes outside or in very well-ventilated areas.
How to remove mold from the ceiling step by step
Mold has to be removed immediately, as it can easily reproduce. To remove mold from the ceiling, use a ladder and carefully approach the area. You must take into account the type of material it is to know if it is necessary to call a specialist. For example, porous surfaces such as gotelé, plaster, drywall or wood are more difficult, since only the superficial mold can be removed. Therefore, it would be convenient call a professional so that you can remove it completely and be able to clean the surface stain on your own. Additionally, the porous roof will have to be replaced as otherwise it could grow back.
You must use the material Suitable as gloves to protect you from mold and the products you are going to use. And the clothes you wear should be washable with hot water to remove any debris or spores that may have fallen. In addition, it would also be advisable to wear a mask and protective glasses. The room must be as ventilated as possible at all times. Follow these steps to remove mold from ceiling:
- First remove any paint that may have broken or chipped with a putty knife. This way we make sure that there are remains underneath.
- There are several solutions to eliminate mold. One of the most used and that works very well is a mixture of borax, vinegar and water. Use two tablespoons of borax with a quarter cup of vinegar and two full cups of hot water. It is a good solution to kill mold while reducing the chances of its recurrence.
- There are also other components such as bleach, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide or ammonia that could clean the mold. However, they are not as effective. Furthermore, bleach cannot be used on porous surfaces and could produce polluting gases.
- Put the borax, vinegar and water solution in a jar and apply it directly to the mold, being careful not to drip. Scrub it with a sponge, better if it is the hard part to remove it. Do this until the mold is completely gone.
- From time to time, dip the sponge in clean water so that the mold does not spread, so it would be good to have a bucket of clean warm water nearby. Change it from time to time.
- Removing mold is a difficult task, especially if there is a lot of it, but it is very important to remove it completely and make sure it is clean.
- Once you have removed the stain, spray the solution we have prepared again and leave it on the ceiling, this way you will prevent it from reappearing. Let it dry and ventilate for a day.
Finally before going back to paint the ceilingIf you want to do this, you should sand it to get rid of any discoloration or residue. Use an anti-humidity or anti-mold paint to prevent future appearances. It is better to place an extractor or dehumidifier in that room.
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