Short answer
Not as a real fix. Paint, including mold-resistant paint, can hide mold for a while, but it doesn't remove what's there or stop the moisture that's feeding it. Find and fix the moisture source first, remove affected porous materials like drywall, clean what stays, and only then paint.
It’s tempting, especially when a unit needs to be ready by Friday. A coat of paint makes the spot disappear, and the unit looks fine at move-in. Then it shows up again a few months later, usually with a resident complaint attached.
What should happen before you paint
- Find the moisture source. Check for a leak, failed caulk, poor ventilation or window condensation.
- Fix it.
- Look at the material. Drywall and insulation that are affected generally need to come out. Hard surfaces like tile can usually be cleaned.
- Make sure it’s dry.
- Then repair and paint. Mold-resistant products can be a useful extra step at this point, on a clean, dry surface.
What about a small spot of mildew?
A small surface spot on a bathroom ceiling or a window sill can often be cleaned, and it’s still a sign to check the fan and the caulk. If it comes back after cleaning, or it’s on soft or stained drywall, assume there’s more going on behind the surface.
Read more in why mold keeps coming back in rental units, or see our mold remediation process.