Geting Rid of Mold on Your Ceiling in 4 Steps

Mold on a bathroom ceiling is a common problem homeowners struggle with on a regular basis.  However, the good news is that while it is common and while it can be a pain to get rid of, it CAN be dealt with--you just need to take the right steps.  

• ASSESS THE PROBLEM:  You need to start the process of fixing the mold on your ceiling by remembering that mold is a SYMPTOM of a deeper problem.  Somehow, moisture is causing this mold to grow and thrive on your walls or your ceiling.  You need to figure out what is causing the moisture.  It could be your shower, it could be an ineffective (or non-existent) ceiling fan, it could be a leaky pipe or even a leaking roof.  Find the problem that's causing the mold and fix it.  If it's the roof, repair it.  If it's the shower, cut down on the number or length of showers if possible.  If it's the fan, put a new one in.  This is the first part and it's a critical step.  If you DON'T do this, chances are the mold will just continue to be a problem.

• KILL THE MOLD:  Once you've dealt with the root source of the problem, it's time to deal with the symptoms--the mold.  And the first step here is to kill it.  This is done by mixing a solution of 1 part Bleach and  3 parts Water in a spray bottle.  Once you've got this mixed, mist the bleach solution over the affected spots on your ceiling or walls.  (TAKE PRECAUTIONS HERE:  Wear old clothes, remove rugs, put down drop clothes, wear eye protection and DON'T MIX THE BLEACH WITH OTHER CLEANING AGENTS).  After you've sprayed the mold spots, allow the bleach about 10 minutes or so to work and then scrub the spots with a sponge or a scrub brush.  If necessary, hit the spots with a second misting of bleach.

• PRIME:  Once the mold has been sprayed with Bleach, allow the walls or ceilings to dry for 24 hours and then prime all the affected areas with ProFlo Alkyd Primer from RepcoLite.  It's an oil-based primer and it works better than any other primer we've sampled.  It's got a smell to it, but since you only need to spot prime the affected areas, it's worth putting up with it.  Just make sure you ventilate your room and you'll be fine!

• TOPCOAT:  After the primer has dried, the last step in the process is to roll a couple coats of a high-quality finish on your walls or ceiling.  We recommend RepcoLite's Hallmark Satin Sheen (or Eggshell).  We recommend a somewhat shinier finish like Satin (or eggshell) because it will help resist the moisture much better than a flat (and remember, moisture is what leads to mold).  We recommend the Hallmark product because it comes with a mildewcide/mold inhibitive agent added right into the paint.  This will help slow or prevent the growth of NEW mold in the future.

Mold on a bathroom ceiling is a pain in the neck.  My bathroom is living (literally) proof of that right now.  But, as I mentioned earlier, the good news is that the problem is fixable and, with effort, even preventable.  Follow these steps and you should find your way to a mold-free bathroom in no time!