Mold grows aggressively on porous surfaces like Sheetrock.
Mold thrives in the humid and damp conditions of a bathroom, and can quickly infiltrate porous materials like Sheetrock. Because the pores in Sheetrock are impossible to completely clean and disinfect, you must cut out any areas containing mold and dispose of the waste material safely. In general, it's reasonable to attempt mold removal of infected areas less than 25 square feet yourself, but call a qualified contractor to deal with larger areas.
Instructions
1. Fix any leaks that may be causing dampness on the Sheetrock. Dry out the moldy area by placing a dehumidifier in the bathroom for several days.
2. Open a window or run an exhaust fan to ventilate the bathroom thoroughly. Don't use a fan pointed directly at the for ventilation. Doing so will spread spores to other areas.
3. Vacuum the moldy surface with a HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaner. Vacuuming will remove most of the mold spores that might spread to other surfaces when you remove the mold-infected Sheetrock.
4. Mist the with water, using a spray bottle. Do not soak it; just dampen it. Misting will further reduce airborne mold spores and particles during removal.
5. Score a rectangular area around the moldy Sheetrock deeply with a utility knife. If the area is large, score several smaller rectangles.
6. Knock a hole through the Sheetrock with a hammer. Tear out the rectangular area or areas of Sheetrock with your gloved hands. Place the moldy Sheetrock in plastic bags and seal tightly, then dispose of the bags in the trash.
7. Soak the tools in a bucket with a solution of one part bleach to 10 parts water to disinfect them.
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