Is It Safe to Paint Over Mold? What Experts Say

While mold on your walls may seem like a cosmetic problem, it may also cause allergic reactions, asthmatic symptoms, and infections in susceptible individuals—especially those with weakened immune systems. Painting over mold won’t make the problem go away; it will just keep it out of plain sight. Our mold experts break down the dangers of simply painting over mold, alternative methods of tackling it, and when you need to call in a professional.

The Dangers of Painting Over Mold

Mold has to be removed, plain and simple, and painting over it just hides the danger. "Too often, we are called in to test for mold after a DIY project has gone wrong or after someone tried to remediate mold on their own," says Robert Weitz, principal and founder at RTK Environmental Group. "There are over 100,000 kinds of mold, and the only way to be sure what kind is growing in your home is to have a mold test conducted by an environmental inspector. You have no idea what you're painting over."

Mold spores grow and thrive in moist, humid areas. "If mold is present on a painted surface within a building, this means that there is likely abnormal moisture on or around the moldy surface," warns toxicologist Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD. "Painting over mold may help with visual appeal, but it does not eliminate the source of the moisture that is causing the mold. If mold is simply painted over without identification or elimination of the moisture source, mold growth is likely to recur."

If mold growth recurs, spores will still be present in the air. "It can be very dangerous long-term, especially if it’s a space where you spend a lot of time, like a bedroom," says Michael Zohouri, founder of Pyramid Eco. "The most common health complaints are coughing, irritated eyes, and breathing issues. It’s usually much worse for children and anyone who suffers from asthma and allergies."

What to Do Before You Paint

Before painting, you must determine what is causing the mold issue. "In almost every case, it’s going to be one of three things," says Zohouri. "Condensation, poor ventilation, or a cold external wall." And the solution will depend on the problem. "It could be installing mechanical ventilation, making sure you haven’t pushed bulky furniture up against a wall and stopped airflow, or upgrading your insulation," he says.

Mold that is present on hard surfaces can be removed with soap, water, or a diluted bleach solution. "It’s a good idea for people to wear protective clothing when cleaning up mold, including goggles and gloves, in order to avoid exposure to both the mold spores and the cleaning products," says Johnson-Arbor. "But cleaning the mold alone will not stop mold from regrowing, as the underlying moisture source must be controlled in order to prevent regrowth."

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When to Call a Professional

If you see mold, then you have a mold issue. If you see water stains, you probably have a mold issue, as well. "The question then becomes, 'How big is the problem?'" says Weitz. "Because mold is often hidden—growing on the back sides of walls and sheetrock and under carpets and floorboards—the only way to be sure is to have a mold inspection performed by a certified professional. To find out if the individual or company you want to hire is certified, search for them on the ACAC site."

Mold spores are lightweight and tiny and spread easily, so it’s very easy for someone not accustomed to working with mold to cross-contaminate "clean" areas of their home with contaminated areas. Weitz says to make sure that the mold inspector doesn’t perform the remediation services because this is a conflict of interest. "A certified microbial investigator will discover the mold’s root causes and provide a detailed report with recommendations on how to remove the mold," he notes.

Moldy areas greater than 10 square feet in size may require professional remediation by a contractor with experience in mold cleanup. "Moldy areas that involve HVAC systems, sewage, or contaminated water may also require professional intervention," Johnson-Arbor warns. "People with concerns about harmful health effects related to mold exposure should contact their doctor or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222."