Even if your drywall contains moisture- and mold-resistant properties, it can still be at risk for mold growth if not for careful design, proper construction, and thorough maintenance.
Mold resistant drywall still gets moldy eventually and when it does the mold is extra toxic as a defense mechanism. Also, cost. It's about 50% more expensive.
Caveat: The National Association of Home Builders points out that "mold-resistant does not mean that mold cannot grow. Under the right conditions, mold can grow on almost any surface. These products limit the conditions which are prime for organism growth, reducing the chances for mold."
No. While all drywall is naturally fire-resistant, PURPLE drywall is unique because it also resists moisture, mold and mildew.
There are, however a number of surfaces where mold will not grow. Treated surfaces and drywall have been found to resist growth, even when wet.
Musty Smell
If you don't see signs of mold, but you can smell it, it may be hidden in your walls. A musty smell indicates that mold is growing in your home. The smell of mold feels earthy, like rotting leaves or decaying wood in a dense, damp forest.
Hydrogen peroxide, commonly used to disinfect wounds, is active against a wide variety of micro-organisms including mold. It acts by releasing oxygen at a rapid rate, which kills mold by oxidizing the surface and breaking down proteins and DNA.
If you find mold on your drywall, you'll most likely need to get it replaced. Mold on drywall can indicate a deeper problem in the stud space behind your wall since it can penetrate the surface. In this case, you'll need to cut it out and replace the drywall in the affected and surrounding areas.
Green board is called that because the face side paper is sea-foam green. The color is only used as a means of identifying this particular type of drywall. What makes this type of drywall different is that it is moisture resistant. Its core is impregnated with water resistant materials.
A common differentiating factor between mold and mildew is color. While mold can appear black, grey, green, brown, and occasionally red, mildew usually presents as white in its early stages, and brown or black when it ages. Structure and pattern are another way to tell mold and mildew apart.
Although it is designed to be applied directly to mold and mildew prone surfaces, any existing mold and/or mildew on the surface should be removed before priming and painting. This will ensure best results. Wash the area with a mildew remover, rinse with water and allow to dry before priming.
While mold cannot get nutrients from inorganic material such as concrete, glass and metal, it can grow on the dirt present on these surfaces. Molds prefer damp or wet material. Some molds can get moisture from the air when the air is very damp, that is when the relative humidity is above 80%.
Attach the drywall to your framing studs with drywall screws or nails. Use drywall tape (extending from top to bottom) to cover the seam between the pieces of green board. Apply mud to the taped areas and fill in the indents left from your screws with this same material.
Good ventilation is crucial to prevent the spread of mold spores and reduce exposure to cleaning chemicals. Keep windows and doors open to allow fresh air circulation, and use fans to direct air out of the affected area. Additionally, consider using a HEPA air filtration system to capture airborne spores.
phasing out greenboard
This relatively new addition to the drywall market is gradually replacing green board because it's suited to the same tasks but even more water- and moisture-resistant than green board. Paperless drywall consists of a water-resistant gypsum core and a fiberglass (rather than paper) backing.
The chief innovation in mold-resistant drywall is the substitution of fiberglass mat for the paper facing used in traditional drywall. This way, moisture cannot adhere to the organic paper material, creating an attractive food source for mold.
Green drywall, often referred to as greenboard, resists moisture to a lesser extent than purple and is ideal in rooms that have occasional moisture exposure, like laundry rooms.
How Do I Detect Mold Inside My Walls and Drywall? Peeling wallpaper can also be a symptom of mold. While some scruffiness and discoloration tend to eventually strike your wallpaper, unusual surface or peeling abnormalities such as crackling or bubbling can be a sign of wall moisture.
The mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem.
Homeowners insurance doesn't usually cover mold damage or removal unless it's the result of a covered peril. If the mold in your residence was caused by something sudden or accidental, such as a bursting pipe or some other covered incident on your policy, you may be protected.
Is bleach or vinegar better to kill mold? Vinegar is better at killing mold because it can work on both porous and nonporous surfaces. It also terminates molds at their roots so the mold won't return and is also safer than bleach.
Vinegar is natural and safe mild acid that can kill 82% of mold species. Plus it doesn't give off dangerous fumes like bleach. If you want to use vinegar to prevent mold growth on surfaces, spray vinegar on the surface and leave it. Repeat every few days to keep the surface mold-free.