How To Get Rid of Mold on Walls

HRS emergency restoration removes mold growing on walls using a multi-step, industry leading process. 

The first steps are identifying the mold and its spread and removing and/or disinfecting the affected surfaces. 

Our mold remediation team works to contain the area affected by mold and fix the issue that led to mold developing in the first place. 

While a small outbreak of mold in a localized spot like the shower can be cleaned and disinfected by a property owner, mold that came from a burst or leaky water pipe is often trapped behind and under walls and floors. 

Mold spores can cause mild to severe allergic reactions and it is best to hire a team that specializes in treating mold on drywall with proper training and protective equipment. 

Due to the health risks and difficulty in accessing these areas, we recommend a professional mold remediation team.

HRS Restoration Services is available 24/7 to address and remove mold. Using state of the art equipment and adhering to industry standards, our mold remediation specialists will restore your home or office to a pristine state. 

HRS has been trusted by property owners in Denver for two decades. 

Call us today for more information to make an appointment!

What Is Mold? 

Mold is a naturally occurring organism already present in your home or office.  

However, mold will become an issue when there is little or no natural light, moisture, and a porous surface like carpet or drywall.  

Mold spores on walls can grow quickly as it is a fungus consisting of airborne particles, and it can be introduced into the home on fabrics, furniture, or even pets. 

There are thousands of mold types, and their  color can range from grey to green to black. Mold spores may be raised and fuzzy, or so small that they are invisible to the naked eye.  

Mold can be especially harmful to those with a mold allergy or an existing respiratory illness such as COPD or asthma.

What Causes Mold To Grow? 

Mold will grow as long as it has a hospitable surface, low or no light, and moisture.  

This is why mold will continue to grow within the walls even if a pipe is no longer leaking. The moisture is trapped behind the wall and given the darkness and porous drywall, mold will keep growing.  

Mold grows when mold spores, composed of tiny particles, become airborne and attach to another dark and damp surface.

Signs Of Mold On Walls

If you have visible water stains on your wall, there is likely mold behind and inside the drywall. 

Water stains are yellow or brown in color and may sometimes be damp to the touch. Another sign of mold on walls is when the paint is discolored in a particular spot. 

Mold is strong enough to compromise the structure of your walls and they may look and feel warped and contain indentations or bulges.

Cracking Or Peeling Paint

Cracking or peeling paint can lead you to wonder how to get rid of mold on painted walls. The presence of mold can result in cracking or peeling paint. Water damage, which precedes mold, is the fastest way for paint to peel.

Discoloration Or Bulging

If your walls are white, it will be easier to spot discoloration caused by mold. The water that is trapped inside the walls cannot evaporate and pushes through, creating a noticeable bulge.

Musty Smell 

Mold and mildew are the most common causes of a musty odor in your home or office.  

If you have ever been in a bathroom without windows or ventilation, you will recognize the strong smell of mold.

Mysterious Allergic Reactions

Mold can cause allergic reactions for some individuals and for those with existing respiratory problems. Mold exposure can result in itchy, watery, red eyes, a runny or congested nose, and dry coughing.

Mold spores can also trigger asthma symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath or a tightening in the chest.

How To Remove Mold From Painted Walls

There are several steps to take when you begin to learn how to remove mold from walls.  

First, you need to determine the source of the mold and eliminate the conditions that are causing it. Next you should assess how far the mold has spread.  

After this step has been completed, you will need to use proper equipment and suitable clothing. Next, clean and disinfect for visible and invisible mold spores.  

Finally, you must dry out the mold affected area using fans and ventilation.
 

Step #1 – Determine the Source of the Mold & Eliminate Mold Conditions

Determine the source of the mold and take steps to eliminate the conditions that caused the mold to develop. This may be as simple as introducing light, or drying up excess moisture that came from a nearby shower.  

However, to permanently banish mold from inside your shower stall, you may want to invest in porcelain or ceramic tile as they are non porous surfaces.

Step #2 – Assess the extent of the damage

Look for signs of visible mold without touching the mold spores.  

Doing so could cause the mold to transfer to another surface that you touch later or airborne allergens in the mold can cause adverse health effects.

Step #3 – Use proper equipment and safety precautions

Remember, it is important to outfit yourself in protective clothing and use the proper equipment. Make sure to wear gloves, protective eyewear and a mask. 

Wear clothing and shoes you can part with as you may need to throw them away.

Step #4 Remove Mold You Can See, Disinfect for Mold You Can’t See

First you will need to remove the mold from your drywall and what you can see from the wall. Next, use a cleaner to disinfect the entire surface to attack the mold you can’t see. 

You can choose bleach, a commercial mold cleaning solution, or natural ingredients like baking soda and vinegar. 

However, pick one cleaner and stick with it. Combining cleaners is dangerous and could lead to more noxious chemicals in the air.

Step #5 Dry out the Mold Affected Area

You can use fans and open doors and windows to speed up the drying process. Make sure to remove artwork or curtains attached to the wall and dry these items separately.

How To Remove Mold From Drywall 

Removing mold from drywall is similar to removing mold on painted walls; however, drywall can be trickier to sterilize due to its porous nature. 

First you need to find and stop the source of the mold. Next you should assess the extent of the damage and how far the mold has spread. Before cleaning the mold, wear protective clothing, eye protection and a mask. 

Then you will need to remove the mold, clean the visible mold and disinfect the mold you can’t see. Next, you will need to repair the drywall if possible and replace when the damage is too severe. 

The final step to remove mold from drywall is to dry out the affected wall using fans and ventilation. 

 

Step #1 – Determine the Source of the Mold & Eliminate Mold Conditions

Just as you would with mold on a painted wall, when deciding how to get rid of mold from drywall, you must determine the source of the mold on your drywall. If the source is underneath the drywall, you will notice bulges, warping and even water rings on the wall. 

This is evidence that the source is in the plumbing or pipes behind the drywall surface.

You may not be able to stop the source of the water damage in this case and you may only be able to proceed to step 2. 

 

Step #2 – Assess the extent of the damage

Evaluate if the mold is contained to a small area or if there is evidence that the damage extends farther than the source of the water break or leak. 

Understanding the extent of the damage helps you prepare what tools you need or if you need to contact a mold professional who is familiar with the process and how to remove mold behind drywall. 

 

Step #3 – Use proper equipment and safety precautions

Remember, it is important to outfit yourself in protective clothing and use the proper equipment. Make sure to wear gloves, protective eyewear, and a mask.  

You do not want to transfer the mold from your clothing to another area in your home, so be prepared to trash these items post cleaning. 

 

Step #4 – Disinfect and clean 

Clean the affected areas you can see and use a mold cleaner to disinfect as much area as you can. Mold spores are microscopic so you must clean and disinfect areas even if you can’t see mold spores on the drywall. 

 

Step #5 – Repair or replace

Drywall is especially porous and if the damage is recent and limited to a small area you may be able to replace sections affected by mold.  

However, if the mold damage is extensive and developed at an unknown point in time, you may need to replace the drywall as it is too damaged to repair. 

 

Step #6 – Dry the Mold Affected Area

Use a combination of high powered fans and ventilation in the form of open windows and doors to completely dry out the mold affected area.  

This may take between 1-2 days depending on how much moisture was present. 

 

Is Mold Removal Safe To Do Yourself? 

You may be able to remove surface level mold yourself. If the mold did not result from water damage within your walls or floors, it is relatively simple and safe for you to address the mold problem.  

An example would be mold that develops on the inside of your shower. The mold’s spread is limited to the tile and grout in your shower stall and is caused by a lack of ventilation within that area. You can clean the mold with bleach, a commercial mold cleaner or a mix of natural ingredients.  

To prevent the recurrence of mold, try to ventilate with an open or cracked window after taking a shower or for a long term solution, consider adding a ventilation fan to the area. 

However, if the source of the mold in your home is due to a burst pipe, water main break or a persistent leak, the extent of the mold’s spread will be difficult to assess and more pervasive than a surface level mold like that in a shower.  

Determining the source of the leak and stopping it as well as cleaning and disinfecting is best left to a team of mold removal specialists. They have the training and experience to pinpoint the source of the mold and to detect if mold is in hard to access areas.  

A team of industry certified professionals can determine if the structural integrity of your home or office has been impacted and can repair and replace walls and floors as needed.  

Most importantly, surface level mold is not as dangerous to one’s health, as the mold that develops from water damage because there may be harmful bacteria within the mold growth.  

The mold situation is even more serious when sewage is involved and only a mold professional can determine if the water has been contaminated with something.

 

When To Call A Professional

However, if the source of the mold in your home is due to a burst pipe, water main break or a persistent leak, the extent of the mold’s spread will be difficult to assess and more pervasive than a surface level mold like that in a shower.  

Determining the source of the leak and stopping it as well as cleaning and disinfecting is best left to a team of mold removal specialists. They have the training and experience to pinpoint the source of the mold and to detect if mold is in hard to access areas.  

A team of industry certified professionals can determine if the structural integrity of your home or office has been impacted and can repair and replace walls and floors as needed. 

Most importantly, surface level mold is not as dangerous to one’s health as the mold that develops from water damage because there may be harmful bacteria within the mold growth. 

The mold situation is more serious when sewage is involved and only a mold professional can determine if the water has been contaminated with something.

 

Why Choose HRS Restoration Services? 

HRS Restoration Services is committed to providing the highest level of customer service and satisfaction with their team of mold remediation specialists.

Each team member is certified and receives regular training to understand the different kinds of mold and how to remove mold from your home or office for good as quickly and efficiently as possible with minimal disruption. 

We take great pride in the business from local homeowners and companies who have called on us for forty years to help with mold and water restoration in Denver.

 

Contact HRS Restoration Services Today! 

HRS Emergency Restoration is ready to respond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help with your mold restoration needs in Denver. Give us a call today to get started.  

We provide comprehensive emergency restoration services to fix both water and mold issues. 

We understand that water damage can quickly lead to mold and that both issues must be addressed.  

 Contact us as soon as you discover a mold growth problem.

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Anytime of day, any day of the year, HRS is here to fix what may seem overwhelming and intimidating. Our professionals in Denver are here to help 24/7.

what is iicrc and Why is it important?

IICRC stands for the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification. Formed nearly 40 years ago, it is a non-profit organization that establishes globally recognized standards for the cleaning and restoration industry, as well as providing certifications, journeyman and master designation, and education.

By choosing a firm with IICRC certified team members, you are assured the cleaning professionals have undergone rigorous training and will handle your disaster restoration with the highest standard of care.

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Figuring out what steps to take when disaster strikes can be a daunting task. HRS is here 24/7 to walk you through the process and bring your home or business back to habitable condition(s).

Taking care of emergencies so you don’t have to.

At HRS, we understand the panic that can set in when your basement floods or a fire breaks out at your business. We are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to repair damage and give you peace of mind.

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