Getting rid of mildew on walls
The amount one job that will make the world of distinction in many bathrooms and laundries is painting out old mildew stains. These occur on the ceiling and the tops of the walls where condensation leaves the exterior wet after a shower. Getting rid of the mildew is a two-step process
1) Clean off what you can and kill the scores with a bleach solution.
2) Cover the stains with a good-quality acrylic paint; use low sheen or semi-gloss and ask your paint shop for an anti-mould additive. It you want a flat finish, buy a paint that's formulated to resist mould and mildew like Zinsser.
Remember that good ventilation is important to preclude condensation and help solve the qoute long term, so make sure you have an exhaust fan that works.
Replacing grubby silicone
Mildew stains can work on the silicone seals in wet areas--like where the bath meets the wall or where your kitchen bench meets the splash back. Sometimes the edges of the seal form a minute black line where moisture has obviously worked its way just under the edge of the silicone and harboured the mildew growth. The respond is to remove and replace the old silicone with a new mould-resistant one:
- Cut away as much of the old silicone as you can, using a utility knife.
- Using a scraper, apply silicone remover over the rest of the old silicone, spreading it about 5 mm thick.
- Wait about two hours and then you can remove the old material with the scraper. Clean up the area with a cloth soaked in methylated spirits. You're now ready to apply a new seal.
- Use a caulking gun to apply an even Lead of silicone along the whole joint. Give the bead a good spray of window cleaner and then put your hand inside an old plastic bag or a latex glove before wiping away the excess with the tip of your finger. Only wipe it once. The window cleaner on both sides of the bead will stop the silicone spreading up the wall, and the plastic bag will fetch the excess for easy disposal. You can mask up with masking tape if you're concerned about getting a super straight line, much as you would when painting. You can also wipe an ice cube along the silicone for a professional, smooth finish.
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