How to remove mildew from drywall and textured ceiling

Question

Need advice how to remove mildew from drywall and textured ceilings?

Hannah V · Answer

Here's a similar question that got some great answers! http://www.hometalk.com/diy/clean/house/q-what-is-the-best-way-to-get-mildew-off-of-a-bathroom-ceiling-2650441

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

In order to properly fix this issue you need to understand how it got there in the first place. If not you can go through all the steps needed to fix this issue and it will simply return later on. All the mold or mildew that grows on walls and ceilings is because of moisture. The moisture levels can be caused by in the case of a bathroom a shower or tub not being vented during use. In other areas of the house cooking and or elevated moisture levels from humidifiers being set to high or excessive amount of plants can create the moisture. 
However there is a bit more to it then just the moisture. Room temps have a lot to do with this issue. Cooler walls and or ceilings, often the result in the winter of not being properly insulated can cause the elevated moisture levels in the room to condense on the wall surface. Quite often we see and read on Home Talk about mold in bathroom ceilings. Its not just about the shower not being vented, its the fact that the ceiling above that comes into contact with the colder attic allows the steam to condense. 
Three things are needed for mold. Moisture, food source in this case its the paint and drywall and air. Remove or control any one of these and no mold. That simple.

In your case you have another issue, the texture. Depending upon the type of texture it is that you have will determine the method in which to fix. Also depending upon how much mold or mildew it is that you have. If its just a darkening of the ceiling and its really only a sand texture, you can clean the surface using a bleach and water solution to remove any loose mold growth, let dry, then paint using a good quality mold resistant primer. Zinzer makes several types. Ideally a oil based primer is best for mold sealing and prevention. Once dry then paint. 
If the ceiling is one of those pop corn types you will need to scrape the texture off using a stiff plastic putty knife with some sprayed water to loosen the texture off. Once removed, you can prime again. Then purchase a can of ceiling texture paint. They make something that will come as close as you can without all the fancy equipment that was used when the ceiling was first done. Follow by spray painting or using a roller doing the entire ceiling to blend in the finish.

Ideally any mold that has developed on drywall the drywall should be removed and replaced. This is normally done in extreme cases.

lastly, be sure to determine why you have an elevated moisture level in the room(s) that are having this issue and solve that first. If it was just a past roof or bath leak then your ok, but if its something other then a single occurrence issue fix that first or you will be doing it again and again.

DutchJetje · Answer

Hi there, have the same problem in our family bathroom! We use a mixture of bleach and water. And I plan to use a mildew resisting paint, especially for wet rooms next time. Or maybe even a ventilation system but we have an old house and are trying to keep it in it's original form. So no vent openings in the new windows etc.

Annie Niehouse · Answer

You have to remove the drywall and redo it.......bleach won't help with molds.....if you get black mold you should worry, it causes illness....find out where the leak is ad fix it....otherwise it will continue until the ceiling falls in......

Janeane · Answer

I just got that INSTAGONE-PRO that they advertise on TV and that stuff is amazing....and very fast!!!

Karen V · Answer

TSP solution, mix according to package instructions and then roll on with a whiz roller. you can find all of these products at a home improvement store Lowes or Home Depot.

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What is the best way to get mildew off of a bathroom ceiling ?

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How to remove mildew from drywall and textured ceiling

What is the best way to get mildew off of a bathroom ceiling ?

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