Mould on drywall

[Bill Reynolds]

I have a small patch (3"x3" ) of a black mould on a piece of drywall.

What is a good way to kill it?

TIA

[JillAdams]

soak it in bleach then put the piece of drywall in the trash. black mold is dangerous

Bill Reynolds wrote:

[Tom The Great]

EPA site suggests using 'soap and water' to remove it.

hth,

tom

[ameijers]

I also use a spray bottle of clorox and water as a chaser.

Agreed, if paint is intact and it simply wipes off the surface. Keep an eye on it, and see if it returns in a few days. If surface is not intact, and/or it comes right back, it may be in the wall. Is this a bathroom, kitchen, or the corner of a cold bedroom, or near a window? Condensation, or an actual leak feeding it? If the drywall got wet below the surface, only reliable kill may be to fix the leak, and remove and replace the infected drywall, sterilizing in the wall as part of the process. 99.9% of the time it is harmless, just gross. Bathrooms with ineffective or unused exhaust fans are prone to mold- good argument for 'scrubbable' paint in there.

aem sends...

[Bob S.]

Spray with bleach solution, wipe down with soap & water, & paint over it.

Damp mold is easy to kill. Dry mold gets airborne real easy when you touch it. Painting over it seals in into the drywall and keeps it from spreading or getting airborne. And contrary to other's opinions, there are literally 100's of different types black mold and only 3 are dangerous. These 3, Stachybottrus, Aspergillis, & Penicillium can have serious health effects. The rest are relatively harmless.

Bob S.

[James "Cubby" Culbertson]

use bleach. but before you do, you need to find out what's causing it which will probably mean removing the drywall in that area anyway. Otherwise, you're just covering up a problem that is bound to cause more headache down the road. Good luck, cc

[Norminn]

Normal household cleaner with a little bleach, risne, dry. Where is it and why? Just a damp area with poor air circulation? Roof leak? If roof leak, take care of cause. A badly aimed AC vent can cause condensation on a wall and just requires it be redirected.

Mold spores are everywhere, and just need some moisture and nutrients to grow. Don't panic.

[Bill Reynolds]

There is a hole cut in the drywall to let the handle of a valve to cut the water off to an outside tap. The packing apparently leaking a drop or two every time I open and close the valve which is twice a year.

Thanks, guys...the net is a wonderful source...

[mistressdevine50]

A good site for info on mold is

You will take mold seriously after reading this site. Debi