Home Advice: Avoiding Mildew
May 24 -- Each week, Good Morning America's home-improvement guru Ron Hazelton answers your questions about maintaining and upgrading your home. Click here to submit your own question.
Q: Dear Ron,
Do you always have to use mildew-resistant paint in a bathroom? I have some leftover paint I want to use but it is not mildew-resistant.
— K. HutchinsMartinez, Ga.
A:
No, you don't, but I strongly recommend it. If the paint you want to use isn't mildew-resistant, you can buy a separate mildewcide additive to mix in with the paint.
Just make sure it's compatible with the type of paint you're using (latex, oil-based, etc.) and follow the manufacturer's directions on how much to add.
But be aware that even the best mildew-resistant paint in the world can't guarantee that you won't have mildew problems. You've got to take an active role in removing its food source — moisture.
Make sure to always use your bathroom fan and check to see if it's clean and not underrated (most are); if it's rated under 80 cfm (cubic feet per minute, the standard volume measurement for air flow), replace it with a stronger vent. Inspect it to see if it's venting properly outside and not blocked. And always leave the fan on for 10 to 15 minutes after showering. Consider installing a timer switch so the fan will turn off automatically.— R.H.
Popular Reads
ABC News Live