THE BEST ANTI MOULD PAINT FOR DAMP PROOFING YOUR HOME

Mould is one of the most common and annoying issues homeowners have to deal with. It can cause visible stains on your walls, depress the thermal comfort in your home and degrades paintwork and masonry materials.

Moisture is the main cause of mould and luckily, there are a myriad of anti mould paint products formulated to fight it.

It’s our mission to help you find the best paint for damp proofing your home. We’ve asked our experts to test and rate the most popular products in the UK. They’ve named the best based on the product’s ability to combat and prevent mould formation. Curious to find out which they are? Check out our top picks below.

OUR BEST PICK ANTI MOULD PAINTS

Our #1 Best Pick

ronseal anti-mould

Ronseal Anti-Mould Paint

#1 anti-mould paint – up to 6 years of continuous mould protection.

Low Cost Option

ronseal one coat damp seal

Ronseal One Coat Damp Seal

Affordable basecoat formulated to block damp for good.

Best Of The Rest

Polycell One Coat Damp Seal

Anti-condensation undercoat recommended for any high-traffic areas.

Thompson’s Damp Seal

Micro-porous highly breathable formula guarantees long-lasting damp protection.

Dulux Easycare Bathroom Plus

A speciality paint formulated to prevent mould growth in all interior areas.

ronseal anti-mould

Moisture, steam and mould resistant paint with enclosed biocide technology.

Ronseal Anti-Mould Paint is our top pick for a reason – it has an advanced formula containing a powerful biocide which treats the surface and prevents the growth of all common types of mould for up to six years.

Also formulated to withstand moisture and steam, Ronseal Anti-Mould is perfect to use in all humidity-prone areas, including the kitchen and bathroom. The product dries to a smooth protective film that is easy to wipe clean as needed.

This interior walls and ceilings paint benefits from an excellent grip on most previously painted or properly primed surfaces and is very easy to apply with either a paintbrush or roller.

Perfect for both traditional and modern home interiors, this anti mould emulsion dries to a matt, velvety finish that disguises all minor surface imperfections for a smooth, flawless result. The product’s only drawback is the lack of versatility when it comes to colours. White is your only choice, and the paint is not tint-able.

Pros

• Great coverage and covering power. Ronseal Anti-Mould covers up to 12m²/litre and needs only two coats on most surfaces. Actual coverage depends on the surface’s porosity.
• Multiple finish options include matt and silk. The former dries to a velvety contemporary look while the latter is easier to clean.
• Paint is supplied in 750ml and 2.5L tubs and is compatible with bare or previously painted surfaces.
• Water-based non-toxic formula makes this paint suitable to use in all environments; the product is also easy to clean off of brushes.
• Anti-Mould touch dries in only two hours and is re-coatable in approximately four hours.

Cons

• Thick consistency minimises drips but it’s tricky to apply in an even layer.
• Uncommon mould strains are unaffected by this product which can negatively impact its efficiency.

ronseal one coat damp seal

One-coat basecoat developed to protect your paintwork from mould and stains.

Ronseal One Coat Damp Seal is praised for its efficiency and versatility. This quality basecoat for walls and ceilings is allegedly formulated to cover damp stains permanently and stop them from damaging your paintwork.

In reality, the product won’t stop moisture forever, but it will keep your environments neat and tidy for years to come.

It has to be applied with a brush or roller and needs only one coat to treat the surface, providing a reliable base to paint over in only 4 hours. The product’s greatest feature is the unparalleled breathability that allows any trapped moisture to evaporate without causing further damage.

This means you can apply the product onto damp surfaces without having to wait for them to dry. The best results are achieved by painting a border of at least 30 centimetres around the damp area to fully cover the patch.

Together, the Ronseal Damp Seal and Anti-Mould paint form an effective and affordable anti-mould and anti-damp system for all problematic homes.

Pros

• Anti-damp basecoat compatible with bare and previously painted interior walls and ceilings.
• Quick-drying for a solvent-based product. It can be painted over in only four hours.
• Basecoat comes supplied in 250ml, 750ml and 2.5L tins to meet all consumer needs. A litre of product covers up to 5m².
• A dry aerosol spray variant is easier to apply and provides quicker results.

Cons

• This basecoat is very thick and rather difficult to apply.
• Ronseal Damp Seal is solvent-based, thus toxic.

polycell damp seal

Reliable damp seal allows you to moisture-proof your home surfaces in no time.

Polycell One Coat Damp Seal is similar to the Damp Seal by Ronseal above but includes a clear advantage: an impressive coverage of up to 14m²/litre. It is formulated for interior walls and ceilings but is also compatible with a range of different materials, including brick, cement and stone, as well as traditional indoor plaster.

A feature we liked is the matt finish which allows homeowners to decide whether or not to apply a topcoat to the surface.

Anti-mould and anti-moisture protection are guaranteed by the hardwearing formula of this paint but it takes more than the one coat advertised to achieve satisfactory results.

Another slight drawback of this product is the dreadful drying time. Although it touch dries in four hours, it is recommended to wait for at least 12 hours before applying a second coat. On a positive note, the product is compatible with a generous range of topcoats and is recommended by Dulux.

Pros

• Thick, hardwearing formula is easy to apply with a brush or roller and forms a protective moisture-resistant film.
• Contemporary matt finish doesn’t necessarily require a topcoat. If you don’t mind white walls, this could save you some money.
• Value for money is ensured by the multiple retail options. The product comes supplied in 500ml, 1L and 2.5L tins.
• Aerosol spray damp sealer allows an easier application and is perfect for small repairs.

Cons

• It takes forever for the product to dry and you may need to wait up to a week for the product to hard dry before recoating with emulsion.

thompsons damp seal

Quality damp seal undercoat developed to block damp stains from re-emerging.

Thompson’s Damp Seal is another high-quality undercoat to consider if you want to treat damp walls in your home. This solvent-based product boasts an ultra-fast drying time and can be painted over after only 4 hours.

Compatible with a wide range of surfaces, Damp Seal by Thompson’s is formulated to guarantee a permanent damp and stain blocking solution. Or at least so the manufacturer claims.

Our testing showed these statements are a little too optimistic, but the majority of consumers declared themselves happy with the product’s performance. Just like Ronseal, Thompson’s dries to a micro-porous film developed to allow trapped moisture to escape even when the product is applied over a damp area.

The product is technically an undercoat but thanks to its smooth finish it doesn’t require you to paint it over.

Pros

• Great coverage considering its thickness and formulation. A litre of product covers up to 5m².
• The micro-porous film allows trapped moisture to escape and can be applied over damp walls.
• The product is supplied in 250ml, 750ml and 2.5L tins.

Cons

• Damp signs show up fast if the source of the problem is not solved before painting.
• This product is expensive.

dulux easycare bathroom plus

Outstanding speciality paint formulated to resist excessive moisture and steam. Ideal for a bathroom or kitchen.

Dulux Easycare Bathroom Plus presents itself as an exceptional topcoat to apply over the damp seal products above. Available in a range of colours and formulated to resist damp conditions, this product promises to keep your walls clean and shiny for long.

The distinctive trait of this paint is the innovative MouldTec technology developed to provide constant protection for up to five years.

Like most Dulux interior paints, Bathroom Plus features the Chromalock technology formulated with exclusive resins that keep the colours bright for longer and prevent discolouration. A soft sheen finish makes the product suitable to use in most high-traffic environments due to its washable ability.

Apart from the innovative technologies incorporated in this paint, we also like its consistency. The product is very easy to apply with a brush or roller and is even compatible with an array of spray guns.

Pros

• Quick drying time allows you to revamp your interior in no time. Dulux Easycare touch dries in approximately 4 hours and can be repainted after only 6 hours.
• Excellent coverage of 13m²/litre and a superb covering power in just two coats add value for the money.
• Hardwearing formula developed for high-traffic and high-condensation areas. This product is about ten times tougher than conventional silk and matt Dulux emulsions.
• The water-repellent formula is washable.

Cons

• Substantial colour changes or painting on bare surfaces may require more than two coats.
• Colour consistency and accuracy are not Dulux’s strong points.