What is the best way to effectively remove black mold under a bay window in a 1930s UK house, considering the potential need for replastering and whether Cillit Bang spray is suitable for painted surfaces with mold?
Hey there! So, we’re currently in the middle of renovating this old 1930’s house in the UK, and we just uncovered some black mold under the bay window after peeling off the wallpaper. We didn’t notice it on the wallpaper, but it was lurking behind the curtains that were there.
We haven’t done anything to it yet, just been airing out the room with all the windows open for the past couple of days. I’ve heard good things about Cillit Bang spray for mold removal, so we’re planning to give that a try. Do you think we should also consider replastering the affected area?
Oh, and we also found a bit of mold in a closet in a different room, but it’s hidden under some paint. Do you think the spray will work on that too?
We’re kind of new to all this mold stuff, so any advice would be really helpful! By the way, the previous owners were elderly and didn’t use this room much, so maybe lack of ventilation or a gutter issue could be contributing factors. We’ll definitely check that out too.
Thanks in advance for any tips! 🙂
Take down the Sheetrock. It’s completely ruined.
Give it a try. When people talk about ‘black mold’, they are referring to a particular type of mold. There are many molds that are black in color and not necessarily the dangerous ‘black mold’.
I’d consider getting it tested to check if the sheet rock should be removed by professionals or if you can handle it by removing drywall or using bleach and kilz.
Avoid using bleach for cleaning
I agree, give it a try. It might not be as terrible as it seems.
Make sure to use a peroxide-based cleaner instead of bleach products because bleach contains water and can actually make the problem worse. If you notice any leaks after removing the sheetrock, make sure to address them promptly.
Lift up the drywall. It seems there could be a leak near the windows.
It might be black mold, but some molds appear black when they are actually dark green. Conduct a test to identify the type of mold present before determining the next steps – likely involving cutting out the drywall and assessing the extent of the damage. Make sure to wear a respirator.
Remove the drywall and check for any signs of water damage in the structure.
You can purchase Concrobium at home improvement stores or on Amazon. It’s great for killing mold – trust me, it really does the job!
Take down the wall.
Get ready to suit up in a Tyvek suit, boots, N95 respiratory mask, sealed goggles, gloves, and make sure to tape your ankles and wrists. Seal off the room or area from the rest of the house, close windows to prevent mold from spreading. Remove all affected drywall and seal it in contractor bags with at least 3 mil tape. Keep the room sealed off from the rest of the house until the dust settles. Change gloves and wipe down all surfaces, then clean affected areas properly with T.S.P. Dispose of all safety gear in a sealed bag.
If I were you, I’d recommend sealing off that room and joining the Mold & Toxins: Healing Your Home and Body group to educate yourself on the topic before taking any further steps.
Remove the Sheetrock
In addition to donning a tyvek suit and removing the sheetrock as mentioned earlier, I also decided to rent a commercial hepa filter and place it in the room. After cleaning the wood underneath, I proceeded to spray paint it with a special mold-covering paint (I believe it was Kilz brand) in order to eliminate any remaining spores. Additionally, I purchased mold test kits and kept the hepa filter running until the tests indicated acceptable levels of mold.
You’ll have to remove everything, and it’s a good idea to contact a professional mold remediation company because it’s likely spread throughout the area.
I once lived in a rental house where my family of seven all fell very ill. After several visits to the doctor, they asked if there might be mold in the house. I noticed a small area in the bathroom near the shower that looked like mold to me. The doctor suggested having it tested immediately. The test results confirmed the presence of black mold, so we had to vacate the house right away and stay in a hotel while a hazmat team took care of everything. What started as a small area in the bathroom led to the complete demolition of both the bathroom and the kitchen on the other side of the wall. When they moved the refrigerator, they found more black mold. Driving by one day, we saw people in white hazmat suits with full breathing gear entering and exiting the house. It was a frightening situation, and I strongly recommend leaving your house and getting it tested right away. We were fortunate that our doctor considered mold as a possible reason for our illness.
You simply need to remove the drywall and put in new pieces. Make sure to grab some dehumidifiers and Killz paint. It might also be in the insulation, but you won’t be certain until it’s cleared out. Those are likely the only spots. You could probably just lightly sand the studs and paint them with Killz.
I agree, replacing everything is actually quite simple. It’s easier than trying to treat the affected areas. To start, use a vent blower to remove all the air. Wear a P95 mask and remove all the contaminated materials. If the beams are in good condition, sand them down. Once everything is removed, replace with new insulation and drywall. The total cost should be under $50.
In the UK, it’s more likely to be skimmed plaster instead of drywall. When cutting it out, expect to find brick behind it rather than 2x4s. It’s closer to render or stucco.
It’s a good idea to get a dehumidifier as soon as possible! You could try wiping it down with vinegar to see if it helps clean it up.
You can try spraying vinegar and baking soda, then airing out the room. It might smell a bit like pickles at first, but it will help eliminate mold.
Chona Chona, I wouldn’t recommend doing that for various reasons. The visible mould you spray is only a small part of the hidden mould behind the wall. Full mould remediation is necessary to address the issue properly. Spraying can actually make people very sick because the mould will release myotoxins into the air as a defense mechanism. Vinegar is effective against some types of mould, but not all. And remember, mixing vinegar and baking soda neutralizes their effectiveness, so it’s better to use them separately.
Chona Chona, no fans! Fans will spread the mold spores, so be sure to mitigate the damage. Remove the drywall, wrap it in plastic, and rent a dehumidifier for a week. Oh my goodness, I’m sorry, but at least you found it.
Most of the mold is likely not hidden behind the wall. It seems to be surface mold due to poor ventilation. There may be some furniture in that area. Since this is in the UK, it probably has skim plaster which is less porous than just filling and painting paper-covered plasterboard (drywall).
I’m sure everyone at the pub thinks of you as a wise expert, but explaining your opinions on mold might not have the same effect.
Just because I’m having a different opinion than a woman doesn’t mean I’m ‘mansplaining’. I wasn’t being condescending at all. This is a DIY help group and there are various approaches to this. If someone disagrees with you, consider responding to them and if you think they are mistaken, try explaining your viewpoint instead of getting defensive and automatically labeling it as mansplaining. It’s not productive at all.
I’ve closed off the room, opened the windows, and sprayed to kill the mold spores before they become airborne. I’m sensitive to mold, so I removed the drywall and demoed everything. Please be cautious and wear protective gear when dealing with mold. Personally, I take oil of oregano in the morning and probiotics at night to get rid of any mold spores I may have inhaled.
That was quite disrespectful!
I wanted to mention that you are crossing a line with your comment. Can we keep the conversation civil? Stevenson was just trying to offer helpful advice regarding the mold problem, which could be quite serious.
No, no, no. Cleaning won’t solve the problem here. While you can clean non-porous surfaces, the mold in this case has deep roots in the wall. Using bleach may make it look like the mold is gone, but it will actually remain and come back stronger. Moreover, using chemicals may trigger the release of mycotoxins. Mold might not produce mycotoxins until it feels threatened, so attempting to clean it could pose more danger. Mold thrives under wallpaper, especially on exterior walls. Just one square inch of mold contains about a million spores, meaning it will spread into the air easily once disturbed. It’s likely that the mold has already spread due to the wallpaper removal. To address this, you’ll need professionals or detailed knowledge of proper mold removal procedures. You should use an air scrubber vented outside, fully contain the area, wear proper PPE for removing the plaster and affected materials, and thoroughly clean the room to avoid reconstruction. There may be other necessary steps as well. While I’m not an expert, I’ve been researching how to handle my own mold issues. Best of luck!
Even if the color is black, it doesn’t automatically mean it’s toxic black mold. You can have it tested to confirm. However, it’s safe to assume it is and handle it accordingly. I’ve dealt with mold in basements multiple times. You can tackle it yourself, but make sure you have the right protective gear and air filtration devices. Remember to isolate the area from the rest of the house when removing it. Seal off any vents and ducts in the room. Having windows to open is an advantage I didn’t have in the basements I worked on. However, you never know what’s hiding behind the wall. There might be mold on the studs, which will require treatment with fungicides and a good sealer. Not sure about the carpet, but replacing it might be a good idea. I’m sorry you’re going through this.
Also, make sure to figure out where the moisture is coming from to prevent a recurrence. Are the windows sealed properly or not?
I discovered some surface-level mold, so I used a product called concrobium to get rid of it. Then, I sanded the affected areas and applied two coats of paint: one with Killz and the other with a bathroom sealant.
‘t clean it! Take it apart, locate the source of moisture, and install new drywall.
The professionals for mold removal are not worth the money in my opinion. It’s not hazardous waste, so you can handle it on your own or hire a contractor for a fraction of the cost they charge.
To get rid of mold, create a solution of 1 part bleach and 4 parts water to scrub the affected areas. Let it dry completely and then sand and use mold-resistant paint like Zinsser Permawhite.
Dealing with mold is disgusting, right? When cleaning, keep in mind that surface cleaning won’t eliminate the mold present in the wall material. The original structure of your 1930s house may lack insulation and have unique wall materials. Pay attention to the exterior of the house too. The type of siding and wall composition can impact air circulation and moisture issues. The combination of different wall technologies can restrict air movement, leading to mold problems. Be cautious of sealing the walls excessively, as it can trap moisture and cause mold growth. Proper insulation, moisture barriers, and regular checks for leaks are essential to prevent mold issues.
My mother discovered a leak in a room that was rarely used, leading to mold growth in the closet and on various items in the room. We cleaned everything, fixed the leak, and didn’t face any more problems. You can wipe it down, allow it to dry completely, apply a sealer, and then paint over it.
Have you identified the root cause? Is there a window leak or was the room simply too humid? It’s important to address the source first, as mold thrives in damp environments. While you can clean it, the problem will persist if not resolved. For cleaning, a mixture of dish detergent and water usually does the trick.
I was advised to cut a small square hole in the drywall to address a drywall issue. Check the back to determine if the issue is superficial or if it extends behind the wall. ‘t forget to wear gloves and a mask.
Drywall installer
We discovered that the windows weren’t sealed properly, causing the wood to rot and disintegrate.
Wow, ! That’s not good at all. At least you are aware of it now. Shake my head. Water damage can be really bad.
It’s most likely black mildew due to moisture, not black mold which poses a serious health risk. Consider using Concrobium Mold spray as it effectively eliminates mold without causing spores to spread like bleach does.
Check out this link for more information on detecting mold behind wallpaper: https://www.dfrancowallpaper.com/there-is-mold-behind-my-wallpaper/#:~:text=Take%20a%20close%20look%20for,grainy%2C%20splotchy%2C%20or%20discolored.
Honestly, I didn’t read the other posts about mold, but if I were in your shoes, I would remove the affected areas and replace them. It may cost more, but it would give me peace of mind knowing I did the right thing for myself or my tenants.
I would recommend getting professionals to handle it. Black mold has the potential to cause cancer and other health issues. Alternatively, you could try spraying a mixture of colloidal silver and H2O2 on it, then paint Kills over it. However, it’s crucial to first identify and address the root cause of the issue. In some cases, you might need to replace the drywall/plaster and studs.
Keep in mind that mold is quite common in the UK, especially in older homes. If the room hasn’t been heated for even one winter, it’s not surprising to find mold there.
Try scraping off the paint to check the condition of the plaster underneath. If it’s fine, you can just redecorate since it’s likely due to neglect. If the plaster seems damp, you might have some water seeping in.
The plaster seems to have been redone at some point based on the pink patch and modern skirting, but it could have just been skimmed over the old plaster. It’s probably plaster directly on the brick since it’s an exterior wall.
If the plaster appears wet, check outside. Does the ground level outside seem higher than it should be? Many old houses have had the ground raised and concrete right up against the house, covering the air vents, causing problems. We solved a lot of issues in our kitchen by removing the excess concrete until we reached the original level. It’s a very common problem!
You should definitely explore the area to figure out what the problem is. Cut a small square into the sheet rock to see what’s behind it. It could be a surface problem or a small crack or leak. You don’t want to just cover it up if it needs serious attention. Good luck!
If I were in your shoes, I’d consider removing the drywall to track down the source of the moisture.