Tips For Dealing With Water Stains And Mildew (NAPSA)—It’s bound to happen .—a leaky roof, a burst pipe, melting snow, excessive bathroom moisture —all leading to one of the most common household problems— water stains on wallsor ceilings. You might be tempted to cover a water stain by applying a fresh coat of paint. Chancesare, it won’t work. Most water stains will bleed right through ordinary paints. Theyalso can create an ideal environment for the growth of mold and mildew. Here’s some advice from experts to help you deal with water stains and mildew on painted surfaces: First, make sure the surface is sound. Identify and fix the source of the moisture or leak or youll soon have anotherunsightly water stain. Clean the surface thoroughly to remove dirt and the unsightly deposits that can result from the leak. Use a bleach and water solution to remove mildew. Rinse the surface thoroughly. Note: To avoid creating high moisture conditions beneath the surface, avoid “flooding” the area with water, bleach or cleaning solutions. Dry the surface thoroughly. Use a hair dryer to dry small areas. Larger areas may require the use of a dehumidifier, heater or fan to ensure the surface is completely dry before priming. Prime the surface with a shellac-base primer-sealer such as Zinsser’s B-I-N Primer-Sealer. Water stains don’t have to put a damper on your decor if you know howto handle them. Available in pints, quarts or gallons, B-I-N seals the stain and prevents it from bleeding through the topcoat. For small or hard to reach stains, use B-I-N in a conve- nient aerosol spray. * In high humidity areas, like bathrooms, repaint with a product that prevents future mildew growth on the paint film. Zinsser’s Perma-White Mildew Proof Bathroom Paint is guaranteed to pro- tect itself against unsightly mildew for five years. It’s low odor and water-based for easy application. Its fast-dry, stain-resistant finish is available in bright white, which also can be tinted to pastel colors. For information about dealing with water stains and mildew—or for more helpful home improvement tips, visit www.zinsser.com; or, call 732-469-8100.
