What to Know Before Painting Over Moldy Spaces at Home Phil Ash - Pro Painter Corner
go to original April 11, 2022

Apart from being unsightly, mold can become a health concern if left to grow inside a home.

While some people attempting to solve the mold problem resort to painting over moldy areas, this solution often hides the problem instead of getting rid of it.

In fact, if you cannot control the mold before painting, the problem could get worse. Thus, it is crucial to find what caused the mold before you paint moldy surfaces.

But how do I deal with mold when painting? This is the question we want to focus on in this article.

However, we believe that to answer this question fully, we need to provide a comprehensive understanding of mold, why it is growing in your home, the health problems it can cause, how you can stop it before it becomes a catastrophe, and how you can prepare moldy walls before you paint.

Molds Can Cause Health Problems

Moldy spaces are not just ugly; they could also make you and your family sick. The CDC says that “Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all.” Adding that, “People with allergies may be more sensitive to molds.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency reports that health challenges often begin when large quantities of mold and bacteria build up, and people inhale them. However, the same agency notes that certain groups like infants, children, immune-compromised patients, pregnant women, individuals with existing respiratory conditions, and the elderly are at higher risk of molds’ adverse health effects.

Green Home Solutions, experts in mold, disinfection, odor, and allergen control, list some common symptoms of mold allergies:

  • Coughing
  • Sneezing
  • Sore, itchy throat
  • Congestion and runny nose
  • Sinus headaches
  • Wheezing and difficulty breathing
  • Itchy, watery eyes
  • Irritated, itchy skin

Read the rest at Pro Painter Corner

Related: Everything We Know About the Risks of Mold at Home (Deye)