Mold-Resistant Paint: Building a Mold Prevention Strategy

Understanding Mold-Resistant Paint

• Mold-resistant paint is a specialized product that resists mold growth on painted surfaces.
• It contains additives designed to create a barrier that mold spores struggle to penetrate.
• These additives include fungicides or mildewcides that target mold in the places where it is applied.
• It is most effective when used in rooms with high humidity and moisture, like laundry rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.

Types and Formulations of Mold-Resistant Paint

There are two primary types of mold-resistant paint: primers and all-in-one paints.

Primers

Mold-resistant primers are used for the first layer of paint that prepares the surface of the wall for the later coats of paint that bring the color. Since it is going to be painted over anyway, it is usually clear or white, without any specific tinting. Depending on the brand, the formula can contain various substances designed to resist the growth of mold. These primers create a barrier that prevents mold spores from attaching to the surface. Often, they are applied before the installation of wallboard or tiling and before the application of a topcoat of paint.

All-in-One Paints

Some paint companies offer all-in-one mold-resistant paints as a convenient shortcut for homeowners. These paints are tinted, so you can choose a color you like, and they are typically much more expensive than typical indoor paints. They may even be marketed explicitly for use in bathrooms but are appropriate for any areas where you would have a high moisture content.

When to Use Mold-Resistant Paint

When deciding if you should use mold-resistant paint, think about the specific areas of a property that regularly come into contact with moisture:

• Bathrooms, due to steam from hot showers lingering.
• Kitchens, where steam is released during cooking and baking.
• Basements, where moisture seeps through cinderblocks from the surrounding ground.

Besides using exhaust fans to let moist air escape, which you definitely should do regularly, consider repainting these areas of your home with mold-resistant paint. It's also an excellent choice in general for older homes that are prone to mold or properties located in damp climates.

A Word About Waterproof Paints

Sometimes people are tempted to substitute waterproof paint when mold-resistant paint would be a better choice. They aren't the same, though they may both help prevent mold growth in different ways. Waterproof paint can seal a wall, and without water seeping through, mold can't grow. Despite this, it still isn't ideal for mold prevention because:

• waterproof paint doesn't have the fungicides that will deter mold
• moisture can't evaporate through the paint's barrier, you run the risk of trapping humidity in your home (which can actually encourage mold growth).

When Not to Use Mold-Resistant Paint

This special paint is designed for prevention, not for mold treatment. If there is already mold present, you need to have mold abatement done before you paint the walls. Mold burrows inside porous surfaces (like walls!), and painting over it won't kill it. You need professional mold remediation specialists to remove the sections of the sheetrock or other wall materials, as you can't clean them, and to do so safely. If you paint over mold, you are delaying the problem to a future date and likely making it worse also.

It would also be overkill, as well as expensive, to repaint every inch of your home for no other reason than to reduce the likelihood of mold on your walls. If you are painting anyway, you can decide you want to use the paint everywhere if that appeals to you. But it is rarely necessary to go to this extent in areas of your home where water intrusion would be unexpected.

Get Ready to Build your Mold Prevention Strategy

When you discover mold in your home, there is a lot of pressure on you to act immediately to stop mold damage in its tracks. You needn't worry about what needs to be done to take care of your property. Our mold mitigation specialists can carry this responsibility on our shoulders.

Once we have the process underway, we'll be happy to share targeted recommendations for future mold prevention with you. Let's forge a mold prevention strategy together. From mold-resistant paint and mold-resistant building materials to highly effective dehumidifying equipment, there are many advanced options to defend your home against mold.

Call FDP Mold Remediation today to find out how we take care of indoor mold for good.