With a little bit of water drywall can become an ideal environment for mold.
Can i paint over mold on drywall.
Painting over it will not remove the mold and if the area isn t properly ventilated on the outside and it probably isn t the mold will continue to grow.
Removing black mold from unpainted drywall is much tougher due to the fact that the mold can penetrate much deeper due to their being no protective barrier but all is not lost and it definitely possible if you follow the steps discussed below.
Instead of painting over mold remove as much mold as possible from a surface before painting it.
Many people choose this solution because it is the quickest solution to hide the ugly signs of mold on their walls.
Use an antimicrobial cleanser we like foster 40 80 and a brush to clean the surface thoroughly.
Painting over any mold or mildew can be done only after taking the necessary precautions and recommended steps.
They will in no way prevent mold growth in your drywall framing or on other surfaces in your ceilings and walls.
As other posters are noting the mold is very likely on the outside of the drywall as well.
Zinsser mold killing primer is a water based epa registered fungicidal protective coating that can be used to paint over and kill all existing mold mildew moss fungi odor causing bacteria and any other fungal organisms.
Mold resistant paint prevents the future growth of mold only on the paint surface itself.
But that is the problem you are only hiding the mold temporarily.
It is recommended however not to paint over existing mold as this will just cover the mold and allow it to continue to grow behind the paint.
How to remove mold on drywall unpainted.
In addition you need to purchase a mold killing paint rather than the resistant variety as this is the only way to deal with already existing mold.
Painting over mold will only work on a permanent basis if you fix the source of the mold problem first.
Painting over mold is one of the most common methods to hide mold.
Ignoring the issue around your home will continue to cause you mold and mildew health problems.
Often when people choose to paint over mold it is because of ignorance.
Even after drying it out if mold has taken root it will persist.
You may get acceptable results by using self priming wall paint.
Just painting over it will hide the problem for a year or two.
Try as you might to hide it with a moisture resistant paint primer it always has a way of showing its face again especially if the source and reason are not discovered and taken care of.
In mild cases the mold will cause discoloration and an unpleasant smell.
In extreme cases such as with black mold it can negatively affect the health of those nearby.