Mold on Drywall in Your Akron, OH Home

2/15/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technicians wearing personal protective equipment to remove mold on drywall in an Akron, Ohio basement.

Mold on drywall may result from a leaking or broken pipe, a leak in the roof, or basement flooding after a severe storm. It is tempting to just wipe the mold off the surface of the wall, but finding mold can be a big job, since there is a possibility there can also be mold inside the walls, including in the insulation and on wooden studs within the walls. Calling a mold remediation company is a good idea to have them safely and effectively deal with removing mold on drywall.

Porous materials like drywall have tiny holes or pores which can make the mold get trapped and difficult, usually impossible, to adequately remove mold. Unseen mold trapped in the pores of drywall can grow and spread and can also cause health problems. Since there is no effective way to remove mold from the pores of the drywall, the affected drywall must be removed and replaced. Removing drywall must be done carefully because cutting into moldy drywall causes mold spores to become airborne and spread.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises that if mold covers more than 10 square feet, a professional remediation company should be hired to remove the mold. If it is a smaller job that you plan to handle yourself.

Furniture and other items should be removed from the area if possible or cover items securely with sheets of heavy plastic to protect them from mold spores. Cover heating and air conditioning vents to prevent mold spores from entering your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. A containment area should be made by using a large sheet of heavy plastic to tape over the doorway or area being remediated to keep mold spores from drifting out of the room and into other areas of the home. Also cover your floor with plastic to prevent the flooring from becoming contaminated with mold.

Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) like disposable gloves, disposable hair and shoe covers, and an N-95 or N-99 face mask should be worn during the mold removal process. The process of removing drywall that is contaminated with mold exposes you to mold spores that can make you sick if you fail to take the necessary safety precautions. First the drywall should be sprayed with water to prevent mold spores from becoming airborne as the drywall is taken down. The moldy pieces of drywall should be enclosed in heavy plastic trash bags before you carry them through the house, so as to prevent scattering mold spores.

If You Need Assistance with Mold Removal

If you think you may have a mold problem and need assistance with mold removal, call SERVPRO of West Akron at 330-867-5723. Our trained crew will examine and answer any questions you have about the mold removal process or visit: https://www.SERVPROwestakron.com/mold-remediation.