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Tips
for Dealing with Water Stains and Mildew
It's
bound to happen — a leaky roof, a burst pipe, melting snow,
excessive bathroom moisture — all leading to one of the most
common household problems — water stains on walls or ceilings.
You might
be tempted to cover a water stain by applying a fresh coat of
paint. Chances are, it won't work. Most water stains will bleed
right through ordinary paints. They also can create an ideal environment
for the growth of mold and mildew.
Here's some
advice from experts to help you deal with water stains and mildew
on painted surfaces:
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First, make sure the surface is sound. Identify and fix the
source of the moisture or leak or you'll soon have another unsightly
water stain.
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Clean
the surface thoroughly to remove dirt and the unsightly deposits
that can result from the leak. Use a bleach and water solution
to remove mildew. Rinse the surface thoroughly. Note: To avoid
creating high moisture conditions beneath the surface, avoid
"flooding" the area with water, bleach or cleaning
solutions.
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Dry
the surface thoroughly. Use a hair dryer to dry small areas.
Larger areas may require the use of a dehumidifier, heater or
fan to ensure the surface is completely dry before priming.
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Prime
the surface with a shellac-base primer-sealer such as Zinsser's
B-I-N Primer-Sealer. Available in pints, quarts or gallons,
B-I-N seals the stain and prevents it from bleeding through
the topcoat. For small or hard to reach stains, use B-I-N in
a convenient aerosol spray.
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In
high humidity areas, like bathrooms, repaint with a product
that prevents future mildew growth on the paint film. Its fast-dry,
stain-resistant finish is available in bright white, which also
can be tinted to pastel colors.
Water stains
don't have to put a damper on your decor if you know how to handle
them.
Remove
Exterior Mildew and Prevent it from
Coming Back
Mildew can
make the exterior of your home look dirty, old and unattractive-and
can be damaging if left unchecked.
Unfortunately,
ordinary household cleaners are not effective in combating mildew.
In fact, some commonly used cleaners, such as TSP, leave a residue
that may actually promote mildew growth. Bleach can effectively
kill mildew, but it also can damage wood, etch aluminum siding
and kill shrubs, plants and grass.
Fortunately,
there's a specially-formulated product that can safely and effectively
kill mildew on aluminum and vinyl siding, stucco and on painted
wood, brick, concrete and cement block exterior surfaces. Here's
some advice from the experts at Zinsser that can help you win
the battle against exterior mildew:
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Is
it mildew or simply dirt_ Mildew is usually black and often
mistaken for dirt. If in doubt, apply a drop of household bleach
to the discolored area. If the discoloration disappears, it's
mildew.
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Kill
the mildew with a house cleaner formulated to remove mildew,
such as Jomax House Cleaner and Mildew Killer. Jomax contains
an EPA-registered mildewcide that kills mold and mildew on contact
without damaging your home or surrounding plants, grass and
shrubs. Its specially formulated detergent system loosens dirt
and stains without scrubbing or power washing.
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After
killing the mildew, prevent it from coming back with a specially
formulated paint, such as Perma-White Mildew-Proof House &
Trim Paint. Perma-White contains a mildewcide that prevents
mildew growth. In fact, it's the only exterior house paint guaranteed
to prevent mildew growth on the paint film for five years after
application. It's also guaranteed to resist cracking, fading,
peeling and blistering for 15 years from the date of application.
Telling mildew:
"Don't darken my door, wall or window" may be easier
than many homeowners realize.
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