Decorator shares 'impressive' tip to help tackle damp and mould stains in minutes

Jul 15, 2023

A decorator has shared a product that he claims can treat mould and damp stains in minutes, but before you use it, make sure you get to the root of the issue and address the problem first

With the cold weather the UK has been battling in recent weeks, coupled with the cost of living crisis, it has led to increased mould problems within homes.

When the cold weather outside meets the warm inside air it can cause condensation to form, especially if you're avoiding opening windows to let fresh air in. This can in turn cause harmful mould to form, which can lead to health issues later down the line if not treated correctly.

Keep in mind that finding the cause of the mould is always best so you can prevent it coming back. Then you can treat it and try to cover any stains it may have made on your walls and ceilings.

One decorator has shared his best tips for dealing with pesky damp or mould stains you might have. Kris DeVos, owner of Fox's Painting and Decorating, recommends using a product called B-I-N shellac-based primer-sealer by Zinsser, which costs £22.99 for a one-litre can on Screwfix.

Kris, who is also known as The Fox, uploaded a video to TikTok to show how he treated damp stains on a ceiling using the product.

He said: "We're going to use this stuff again. It's shellac-based, which means it doesn't mix with oil or water, which means you don't have to figure out what the stains are made of, whether it be fat, oil or whatever."

He continued: "You're going to need a cheap brush, because you're going to bin it, and a concave foam roller."

The painter and decorator then recommends to cover up the floor or anything that the product might drip on because it "will stick to anything". Kris then says to give the tin a shake because it "all sits at the bottom".

Importantly, Kris says: "I've already washed the excess mould off this ceiling with some sugar soap and let it dry, so you should too."

Michael Rolland, interiors expert and Managing Director of The Paint Shed has warned that if you're painting over mould, you need to first treat and clean the surface properly.

First, you need to work out what is causing the mould, so that it doesn't keep happening, then Michael said: "Before any paint touch-ups are made, you need to treat and clean the surface thoroughly.

"A simple wipe or spray of anti-bacterial cleaner won't cut it. You should always use a fungicidal sterilisation wash before painting over mouldy surfaces. Remember, these will only temporarily remove the mould if the underlying issue is not dealt with."

After cleaning the mould, Kris then covers the ceiling in two coats of the primer sealer, adding: "This stuff dries in minutes, so you're not going to have to wait long to put the second coat on. At the end, he covers it in normal walls and ceilings paint.

One person commented on the video saying: "That stuff is the nuts. I'm a decorator of 20 years plus. Keep up the good job mate, from one decorator to another."

Another commenter said: "Thank you for showing this! I have two children and black mould in our bathroom and next to no money so I'm definitely going to try this for now!"

A third simply added: "Impressive."

Have you ever tried this product and what did you think? Let us know in the comments below.

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