If there’s a shower in your bathroom, then it’s likely you’ve had to clean away mold at one point. But bathroom mold is not always in plain sight. While the ceiling and tub edges are common areas for mold growth, it can also form in hidden areas, like under sinks, around the exhaust fan, on windowsills, within shower door trim and in the crevices of bath fixtures.
Let’s get some advice from plumbers in Grand Rapids, MN for how to remove and prevent bathroom mold. First we’ll look at three of the most common causes of mold:
- Moisture: The most common cause of mold in bathrooms is lingering moisture. Bathroom moisture is caused by a lack of proper ventilation, such as using a weak bathroom exhaust fan or no fan at all, or not having a window that can be opened.
- Leaky fixtures: Bathroom fixtures like toilets, sinks, tubs and plumbing pipes may become leaky over time. Ignore these types of leaks and you’ll get moisture, which can turn into mold.
- Moist materials: There are all sorts of things and materials in the bathroom that can lock in lingering moisture. Check bathroom towels, rugs, wallpaper, wood and drywall periodically for dampness.
Removing already existing mold growth isn’t an especially complicated process, but it’s one that you’ll want to perform carefully in order to get it right:
- Thoroughly clean your bathroom: Because mold is a living organism, you need to spray it with a mold killing solution before wiping it away. Use products that are known to kill mold, like white vinegar, bleach or hydrogen peroxide. However, to avoid a toxic reaction, never mix these products together!
- Dry it out: Before, during and after cleaning mold from your bathroom, leave the windows and doors open to dry out the mold and let in fresh air. If your bathroom does not have a window, turn on the exhaust fan and open the door.
- Replace bathroom caulk: If the mold problem seems small, but the caulk around the tub is blackened and stained with mold, replace it. Strip it all away and install a new application of caulk or sealant.
- Call a pro: Serious mold infestations need to be addressed by a professional. They can get rid of the mold and show you how to keep it away for good.
Killing and removing mold is only taking care of the current problem. Now that you’ve cleaned your moldy bathroom, there are steps you can take to prevent mold from coming back:
- Ventilate: First, if you don’t have a bathroom exhaust fan, install one. Use the fan every time you shower or create steam, and leave it on for at least 30 minutes afterwards.
- Clean often: Cleaning the bathroom and the things in it (rugs, curtains, towels) on a regular basis can help to prevent mold growth. Also, shower products can hide mold—don’t keep too many of these items in the caddy or edges of the tub.
- Others: Hang a mildew-resistant shower liner and curtain, and keep your home’s humidity below 50 percent.
Need plumbers in Grand Rapids, MN? Call Rapids Plumbing & Heating Inc. for all your plumbing needs!