Types of Sheetrock

• Not all Sheetrock materials have exactly the same properties. The USG Corporation, the company responsible for creating Sheetrock, sells multiple varieties of Sheetrock, and not all of them carry the same amount of mold resistance. The company markets one particular variety, called Sheetrock Mold Tough panels, which is chemically coated to resist the growth of mold spores. Not all Sheetrock products have this coating. In addition to the mold resistance of the panel itself, Mold Tough panels are protected on both sides by mold-resistant, green face and brown back papers.
  
  

Limitations

• Sheetrock Mold Tough panels boast mold resistance, but mold can grow on almost any surface with enough moisture and organic materials. Organic materials may include residue left behind by stains, human hair or even accumulations of dirt. Sheetrock panels are moisture resistant, which constitutes much of their mold resistance, but if your home suffers serious water damage from a plumbing hazard or a flood, your Sheetrock panels can still become heavily saturated, the protective papers can become damaged and the mold resistance can become compromised.
  
  

Benefits

• Although your Sheetrock panels may grow mold under extreme circumstances, most day-to-day problems, such as high humidity and the occasional minor leak, should never create a mold risk for your Sheetrock panels, particularly if you have the Mold Tough panels installed. If you do find mold growing on your Sheetrock panels and you cannot identify the source, immediately call a mold remediator. You may have a very serious problem within the walls.
  
  

Increasing Mold Resistance

• In addition to the natural mold resistance of Sheetrock, you can take steps to increase your mold resistance even more. For starters, paint over your Sheetrock with one to two coats of primer, which will decrease the porosity of the Sheetrock, making it less moisture absorbent. After the primer dries, paint your Sheetrock with mildew-resistant paint. You can find an array of specially-treated mildew resistant paints in paint stores.