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Mildew spots on bathroom ceiling
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Jan 3, 2005, 04:21 PM
 
Is anyone here handy? I prefer to follow the DIY mantra on these kind of things, and I'm wondering if I can save the drywall, or if I have to replace it. Help, please.
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Jan 3, 2005, 04:43 PM
 
i don't have the info in front of me, but i use (and keep) a spray bottle of a mixture for that. my house was built in th mid '40s and doesn't have a fan or anything in either bathroom. the moisture from the showers, over say a 4 month time period, builds up creating mildew. few sprays of the above brew, and it cleans right up. doesn't hurt the paint or the drywall. while not a perminanent fix, it works just fine. saves doing any major remodel or painting.

the mix is bleach based, but i forget the formula. i only look it up when i need it myself. one spray bottle lasts a few years.
     
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Jan 3, 2005, 04:51 PM
 
Tilex Mold and Mildew.
Does wonders.
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Jan 3, 2005, 04:54 PM
 
Tilex on drywall?
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Jan 3, 2005, 05:44 PM
 
It probably isn't in the walls so just get rid of it. If you are feeling particularly antsy get someone to inspect further.
     
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Jan 3, 2005, 06:25 PM
 
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Jan 3, 2005, 06:59 PM
 
After this thread I'm strongly willing to support a "Domestic Sanitation" Lounge forum.
     
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Jan 4, 2005, 10:04 AM
 
If it's just surface mold/mildew, bleach should do it.

Only if the mold has gone through the drywall does it need replacing.

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Jan 4, 2005, 10:15 AM
 
Yep. This is one reason why glossy paint comes in handy in bathrooms
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Jan 4, 2005, 12:17 PM
 
Yeah bleach works pretty well for cleaning just about everything in the bathroom.
     
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Jan 4, 2005, 12:29 PM
 
Depending on the area you are talking about, you can often cut out the spot with mildew and replace it with a square from a sheet of greenboard which you should keep in the basement for just these situations.
     
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Jan 4, 2005, 12:41 PM
 
Yeah, try spraying the area with watered down bleach. Keep the area wet until the mildew turns white. After that, you'd probably want to cover the area with Killz primer.
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Jan 4, 2005, 12:45 PM
 
Replace it all with greenboard.

If it is mildewing it will continue to mildew. Greenboard is for the bathroom.
     
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Jan 4, 2005, 12:50 PM
 
I know that because we had a similar issue and had to repair our bathroom.

Greenboard helps to prevent moisture from saturating the wall. It is developed for areas like bathrooms. If you need it to be waterproof then use durarock concrete board.

If it is only one small spot then try using Tilex on the affected area, however, you are forewarned that Tilex and other bleach products may permanently lighten that area. In that case you would have an area that it whiter than anywhere else and you would then need to do the whole wall. If so, use a big soft sponge and using warm water with some Tilex or diluted bleach, gently wipe the entire area.

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Jan 4, 2005, 12:50 PM
 
I would definitely try the bleach mixture first.

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Jan 7, 2005, 02:44 PM
 
Tilex killed it instantly. Thanks to y'all.
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Jan 7, 2005, 02:48 PM
 
Originally posted by Link:
Yep. This is one reason why glossy paint comes in handy in bathrooms
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