Mold isn’t something that should be ignored. As much as you try to hide it, the mold will find a way back and become prevalent. Even if you do things to cover it, you will still feel the effects of the mold in your home. Your health will still deteriorate over time if you don’t remove the mold. You might think that painting over mold is a good idea, but what happens if you paint over mold? It’s not a good solution.
While painting over mold or other blotches of fungus might cover up the sight of it, that doesn’t mean the mold will be killed. Paint is only a temporary solution and won’t be as effective as you think it will be. Paint can only cover and not kill, after all. When it comes to fungus, paint can even assist in mold growth, especially if you try to paint over water damage. You can’t cover up mold forever, and mold does pretty bad things to you. Painting over it is something you should never do and we’ll tell you why.
Mold Growth
Mold is a fungus, plain and simple. Fungi are very beneficial, but it isn’t helpful when it gets inside your home. All it takes is a bit of moisture and warmth and you could have a pretty bad mold infestation on your hands. It spreads easily, considering fungi produce spores. Spores float through the air and land on other things, making a suitable spot to further grow among surfaces. If you leave it alone, that mold will grow out of control.
If it gets bad enough, it will be necessary to get the assistance of a mold professional. Many local companies clean up mold. All it takes is a call, and they can help set up an appointment with you. It could take a few days to get rid of it all, but they will do wonders for your home. If you try to do it yourself, you risk the mold returning if you miss even a little bit. Professional mold handlers have special cleaning methods that you might not have access to.
Painting Over Mold
To put it simply, painting over mold is not a good idea. Anyone who does it might not know exactly what they’re doing. It might seem like a good idea, but all you’re doing is covering up the sight of it. The mold is still there, and it will only spread further. It can ruin the paint you just applied and eventually leak through it. If someone knowingly paints over mold while knowing the ramifications, they may try to hide the problem.
Since paint is simply a covering for a wall, the mold will eventually show through. It will grow into the paint and soon appear again on the surface. You could continue to paint over it, but the spores will still be emitted into the air and spread through the home. It is only a temporary fix and will not kill the mold at all. The only sure way to get it removed is to replace the areas with fresh sheetrock or plaster or call a mold remediation specialist.
Doing this on your own is not a great idea. For example, if you have mold growth on drywall or your ceilings, there's a good possibility the lumber or other organic materials in the walls are still moist. Unless you have the knowledge and proper tools to check studs and the interior of the wall or ceiling for excessive moisture, all you're doing is hiding a known killer from sight. It doesn't make the killer go away.
Signs of Painted Over Mold
There are ways to see if there might be mold behind the paint if you want to buy a used home. There are some landlords and contractors that may try to lower prices by painting over mold problems. Plenty of things show up whenever you hide mold behind the paint. Here are a few:
- The smell of the mold will still be apparent.
- Look for bubbled or warped paint jobs.
- The stains may be showing through as brown or a darker color.
- Bowing walls or ceilings to imply water damage may be there.
If you notice any of these signs, it might be wise to ask about them. It may be difficult to spot, but the smell will likely be there. If that happens, you can simply press your hand against a wall or an area you might suspect has mold on it. If it feels damp or bubbly, you might have a mold problem on your hands. Having bubbles or blisters in the paint tells us there is still excessive moisture, which means the mold remains.
Lawsuits and Legal Ramifications
If you are a contractor or landlord who has painted over mold, you could be sued if you tried to cover it up without informing the buyers. Mold is an issue of health. If there is mold in the home, there could be a case made against you if you don’t inform the buyers. You may be held liable for damages due to the mold infestation. It is the seller’s job to make sure that the home is livable. Since mold is a health issue, it may be deemed uninhabitable.
If you are selling the home, make sure that you inform the buyers of mold issues. This may lower the home's value, considering mold remediation specialists must be hired. However, this may be the best result, considering mold needs to be handled either way. It’s even better if you take care of the mold problem before you even put the home on the market. At that point, the buyers will see that you are trustworthy and knowledgeable about the home.
Final Thoughts
Mold can get anywhere and is a powerful fungus that can cause many health issues. Whenever it gets on the wall or ceiling, you might think it would be a good idea to paint over it. This is not the case since mold can easily bleed through paint. If you do it intending to sell the home quickly, it could lead to legal trouble. Getting rid of the mold is a good idea either way.
Painting over mold is only a temporary fix. If you see any discoloration, bowing walls, or warping paint, there may be mold or water damage beneath it. If it is water damage, you can be sure that mold will follow if it isn’t fixed. You may not be able to do it yourself, so contact a mold removal specialist to assist with it.
