Mold can thrive nearly anywhere it can find moisture and a food source, and unfortunately for your walls, this is often found in wallpaper. Wallpaper is affixed to walls with glue which is a favorite food source for mold, and walls in areas such as bathrooms and kitchens are often exposed to high levels of moisture. However, mold can thrive on walls anywhere in your home if a source of moisture, such as a leak, becomes present.
When this happens, any affected wallpaper will need to be carefully removed, and the surface will need to be thoroughly cleaned in order to prevent any further damage. Generally, this will need to be done by a mold remediation professional. However, in less severe cases, it may be able to be handled by a homeowner with the right precautions.
How To Remove Mold-Affected Wallpaper
Here are some steps a homeowner can take to remove mold-affected wallpaper.
Wear the Right Equipment
First of all, it is important to wear covering clothing that you can discard once the job is done. You should also acquire a respirator designed to filter microbes, eye protection, and a pair of protective gloves. Without the proper precautions, mold can cause severe respiratory and skin irritation and be highly dangerous. If you are not confident in your abilities to handle the job safely or the infestation is more extensive than you thought, it is important to call in a mold remediation professional.
Prepare the Room
Cover the floors using a plastic drop cloth to prevent old spores that are released during the removal process from spreading once the wallpaper is removed. Turn off any HVAC systems and close any doors leading into the room as well. You can use additional drop clothes to help seal doorways as well.
Identify and Remove Affected Wallpaper
Gently peel away small strips of wallpaper and look at the wall and the backside of the wallpaper. Pay careful attention to blotches, grainy particles, or discoloring, which can indicate mold growth. Once you have identified the affected areas, you can begin removing the wallpaper. You can use a scoring tool to help create small holes in the wallpaper and a commercial wallpaper stripping product or a steamer to help separate the wallpaper from the wall. Once the wallpaper is removed, hot water can help to remove the remaining paste residue.
Clean the Walls
Once the wallpaper is removed, you can begin treating the walls to remove the remaining mold. Prepare a 50/50 solution of bleach and water and use a sponge to apply it to the wall. Start from the top and clean the entire affected walls. Make sure to be thorough even over areas that do not look to have developed mold growth yet. Once the walls have dried, go over them again with a solution of soap and water to thoroughly remove any now dead mold. You can now take a shower and dispose of the clothing you wore.
Final Thoughts
Mold is a serious issue, and if the infestation returns after you have completed this process or in another room, then it is likely the problem will be more severe than you thought. In these cases, it is crucial to seek out a mold remediation professional to ensure the problem is solved safely and permanently.
Contact Us
If you have a mold problem that needs to be solved, contact RestorePro. Restore Pro has decades of experience helping homes and businesses with quick and effective mold remediation. Call us at 1-800-847-0114 and connect with us on Facebook.
