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Mildew:
Black, gray or brown spots or areas on the surface of
paint or caulk.
Possible Cause:
Forms most often on areas that tend to be damp, or receive
little or no direct sunlight (bathrooms, kitchens and
laundry rooms).
Use of an alkyd or oil-based paint, or lower quality latex
paint.
Failure to prime a bare wood surface before applying the
paint.
Painting over a substrate or coating on which mildew has
not been removed.
Solution:
Test for mildew by applying a few drops of household
bleach to the areas; if it is bleached away, the
discolorant is probably mildew. Remove all mildew from the
surface by scrubbing with a diluted household bleach
solution (one part bleach, three parts water), while
wearing rubber gloves and eye protection. Rinse
thoroughly. To protect against mildew, use a top quality
latex paint, and clean when necessary with
bleach/detergent solution. Consider installing an exhaust
fan in high moisture areas. |
