As an Atlanta Home Painting company we’ve seen our fair share of Mildew stains. Mildew is a common occurrence in many homes. It typically thrives in areas that are damp, warm, poorly lit and/or air isn’t circulated. If you’re planning to repaint a room, getting rid of mildew should be one of the first jobs to tackle. There are a variety of ways to clean mildew stains. Here are a few tips to removing and sealing mildew before you start painting.
You will want to start by cleaning the area and up to two feet surrounding it. This will ensure that any mold that may be growing that isn’t visible will be cleaned as well.
Items you’ll need:
-
Bucket
-
Bleach
-
Warm Water
-
Soft-Bristled Scrubbing Brush
-
Drop Cloths
-
Face Mask
-
Safety Goggles
-
Rubber Gloves
Begin preparing by putting on your face mask and safety goggles. If you don’t like the smell of bleach, you can use rubber gloves to cover your hands. Cover the floor around the areas to be treated with the drop cloths. In the bucket, mix together one part bleach and two parts warm water. Dip the scrubbing brush in the beach water and begin scrubbing the affected area. Wait 2-3 hours for the walls to dry (time will vary depending on ventilation, heat and other various factors).
Use a commercial product such as Kilz or Zinsser Mold & Mildew Sealer that you can find at your local hardware store to ensure the affected areas are sealed, covered and ready to be painted.
Prevention
Keep areas that may be prone to mildew dry (bathrooms, basements, crawl spaces). You can do this making sure you have adequate drainage (basements), using a dehumidifier (basements & bathrooms), using a moisture-barrier material over soil in crawl spaces, good ventilation (bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements) and waterproofing. Cleaning areas where mildew is likely to grow on a regular basis is also a good practice to follow.
Atlanta house painting has enabled us to handle any painting situation. For more tips and ideas on painting, check out our blog!