How To Remove Mold From Popcorn Ceiling

What Are Popcorn Ceilings?

Popcorn ceilings come from a mixture applied to the surface using a spray gun or a sponge. In the 1930s, the mixture was paint, adhesive, and asbestos. The crumpled asbestos particles gave it that popcorn texture, which is how it got its name. When asbestos fibers were discovered to be harmful, the process was changed to use styrofoam or paper. 

How Do I Get Rid of Black Mold On My Ceiling?

Mold removal can be a tricky thing. If you’re wondering how to remove mold from popcorn ceilings the steps provided below should work well to eliminate mold. However, if it returns or the mold spreads, you could have a have bigger problem that could require mold remediation.

DISCLAIMER: Mold can be dangerous and should be removed by a professional. Call us at (877) 349-1231 for a free consultation with a licensed remediation expert available 24/7 near you.

How To Remove Mold From Popcorn Ceilings

There are many ways that mold can grow on a bathroom popcorn ceiling. The textured surface that looks so great also gives the mold a million places to latch onto and start growing. 

Black mold growth is much more dangerous than some of the other molds typically found in homes. However, there isn’t much evidence to suggest that other types of mold could be just as dangerous. Mold can cause allergic reactions in some people, so they may experience some strong effects when exposed.

By the time you see mold, it has already been there for a while. So, when you prepare to remove mold from your bathroom popcorn ceiling, be sure that you take the proper precautions. Using the right personal protective gear in your mold removal process is very important.

Safety Equipment

Mold growth can be dangerous. Removing mold is especially necessary for people with respiratory issues such as asthma or COPD, allergies, or autoimmune disorders since they can be adversely affected by the tiny spores produced by mold. The proper safety equipment is crucial for this task. You will need:

• Goggles
• Rubber gloves
• Breathable mask or respirator
• Sturdy ladder
• Plenty of ventilation
• Plastic sheets

Wash the Ceiling

You will start the cleaning process by washing your popcorn bathroom ceiling twice. Get a stepladder and wash the popcorn ceiling mold with a mixture of warm water and dishwashing soap in a spray bottle. 

Get in there as good as you can with a soft bristle brush and the liquid dish soap solution. This is important because there are little indentions and places for mold to hide on this textured surface, but also be gentle because the particles that make up bathroom ceilings are delicate and can break off easily, leaving a bald spot.

Apply Anti-fungal Solution

After you’ve washed the bathroom ceiling down with water, apply a cleaning solution of anti-fungal cleaner and warm water. You can use a spray bottle to spray the mold on the affected area. Then use a microfiber cloth or sponge to dab all around it. Once you’ve soaked your popcorn ceiling with the anti-fungal solution, let it dry for a few hours.

This eliminates most of the spores, but getting the remaining mold spores embedded deep in the popcorn ceiling is the trick to keep mold from returning. You will need a detergent with a borate base, such as Borax. Mix with water and use a spray bottle to apply it to your textured ceilings. Be sure to spray all the mold.

Once it dries, you can paint it. It is up to you if you want to paint the affected area or repaint the entire bathroom ceiling. If it hasn’t been long since you last painted, you can probably paint the area and then go over it with a textured spray.

Mold growth can happen in other rooms as well. Thankfully, this method works well in the kitchen to remove mold growth, water stains, yellow stains, and even smoke stains.

Does Bleach Kill Mold On Popcorn Ceiling?

Chlorine bleach is generally known as a biocide. Biocides are chemicals or substances that kill living organisms. So, yes, a liquid bleach and water solution is used frequently as a cheap method of eliminating mold spores from a popcorn ceiling surface.

It does a thorough job, and a bleach and water solution will usually kill enough of the mold that the remaining spores won’t grow back as long as the moisture is dealt with.

However, bleach can be a very toxic chemical. The area should be properly ventilated and the correct safety gear used. Otherwise, you can experience breathing difficulties, eye irritation, and chemical burns. Bleach can be deadly if mixed improperly. Use it cautiously.

Does Vinegar Kill Mold?

White vinegar is also used often as an inexpensive alternative to get rid of mold. White vinegar is especially effective as it contains acetic acid, which can stop the growth of many types of mold spores. It also isn’t dangerous like other liquid bleach solutions.

Porous surfaces like ceilings and drywall can benefit from using vinegar rather than bleach as the chlorine in bleach stays on the surface while the water sinks into the porous material, potentially contributing to the mold problem. Since white vinegar is acidic it more easily absorbs into the porous material, such as popcorn ceilings, preventing potential regrowth of mold.  

How Can You Prevent Mold From Coming Back?

To prevent mold from returning to your textured ceiling maintenance is the key. Doing a few routine things like popcorn ceiling cleaning will help keep mold from returning.

Ventilation

Keep your bathroom dry by making sure you have proper ventilation. If you take hot showers, you should have an exhaust fan installed to pull the extra moisture from the room. It will help you keep your bathroom from turning into a sauna.

Install dehumidifiers in some of the rooms of your house that suffer from very high humidity and let them run often. It is a good idea to do this in the summer since it will help clear warm, humid air from your home. This will help keep moisture from building up.

Also, keep the doors in your home open to rooms that no one is using. If air can flow freely throughout the house, it will help to keep moisture levels down.

Cleaning

Make a routine of cleaning the ceilings every couple of months. This can be as simple as spraying a cleaning solution of anti-fungal cleaner on a duster and quickly rubbing it on your ceilings. This will keep dust and moisture from collecting in the little nooks and crannies of the popcorn ceiling and help break down any spores beginning to form. Running the hose from your vacuum cleaner will help as well.

Try not to have an abundance of containers in and around your shower. Water can collect behind and under them and become a breeding ground for mold. Use a towel to try out your bathtub every time you use it.

Diligence

Keep an eye, and ear, out for leaks. If water leaks under your upstairs bathtub, it will eventually affect the ceilings downstairs. If you see water on the bathroom floor, clean it up. Don’t fall behind on the maintenance of your roof or plumbing.

Every few weeks, prepare a mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle. Spray it all over the ceilings where the mold usually appears. Allow it to dry. A hydrogen peroxide solution will eliminate mold and prevent an infestation from taking over. 

Thanks to these tips, removing mold from popcorn ceilings doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

Conclusion

Mold can get into your home in several ways. It can cause respiratory problems, skin irritations, and allergic reactions that have left people feeling very sick. Despite being able to get in easily, your home has to have certain conditions for it to thrive. 

Damp bathrooms, leaking pipes, wet carpets, potted plants, and washing machines can facilitate mold growth. Keeping your home clean and free of excess moisture will make it inhospitable to the spores.

If your popcorn ceiling has mold, you need to take action immediately to keep it from spreading. There are many ways to accomplish this but larger outbreaks of mold should be handled by professional mold remediation experts. Please call us to learn more about how to remove mold from popcorn ceiling.