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Bathrooms are one of the most common places for mold to grow. In this article, we will be talking about why mold is so common in bathrooms and how you can remove mold from your bathroom. No one wants to deal with mold. The look, smell, and health issues that come from mold should be taken seriously. Steps can be taken to stop mold from growing in the first place. First, let’s review what causes mold to grow in bathrooms.
What Causes Mold to Grow?
Mold thrives in moist, humid environments. Some of the most common causes of indoor moisture include hot showers, cooking, and running humidifiers. People are also a cause of indoor humidity. Our bodies will also raise the humidity level in a home slightly. With all the added humidity and moisture in a home, we need to take steps to reduce indoor humidity levels.
One of the best ways to keep bathroom moisture levels down is to use an exhaust fan while taking hot showers. Exhaust fans work to vent warm, humid air outdoors. Since warm, moist air tends to collect toward the ceiling, these vents are effective at helping to remove excess moisture.
What if Mold Has Already Started Growing?
Mold tends to get creative in finding places to hide, so it may not be obvious that mold is growing at first glance.
Many times, mold begins growing in dark, hidden places before becoming visible out in the open. In some cases, people are surprised to learn they have a mold problem. For example, mold growing behind a picture before it is evident in any other location.
Rather than seeing the mold, a common concern is a strange smell, or more commonly thought of as the smell of mildew. Mildew has a strong, dirty sock smell that is not easy to get rid of by treating the smell alone. You have to find the cause of the smell and treat the core problem first.
If your bathroom has a musty, sour smell, then there is likely a mildew and mold problem contributing to the issue that you’re experiencing. Another common way to know if you have a moisture problem is when bath towels remain wet for long periods of time after showering. Excess humidity levels can cause towels to remain moist for long periods, further causing moisture and mold issues.
Where Does Mold Tend to Grow?
Often, mold will begin growing out of corners and cracks, and also around shower and bathroom molding.
If there are trouble areas in your bathroom where mold seems to show back up every week or so, this is a good indication that there is a bigger problem underneath. Mold relies on moisture to grow, which is why bathrooms are a great source of food for mold.
In a previous post, we provide guidance for how humid your home should be, which can provide guidance for keeping your home mold free. Using an exhaust fan in your bathroom may not be enough. Adding a dehumidifier may be necessary, and in most cases is recommended to keep humidity levels low.
How Do I Get Bathroom Mold Under Control?
The first step to getting mold issues under control is to find the cause and treat it. Some mold issues can be corrected by the homeowner, but others are best treated by a professional. Hard surface mold can be removed by using household cleaners, but mold that has grown into softer surfaces like drywall and wood require much more thorough levels of remediation.
In some cases, it will be necessary to get below the surface to fully treat a mold problem. If mold is growing behind tiling, for example, it is not enough to just treat the tile surface. A common issue is when someone tries to treat mold at the surface level without correcting the root cause.
After the cause of the mold problem has been remediated, there are steps you can take to keep mold from coming back.
Keep Mold from Coming Back
- Ensure your bathroom has an exhaust fan that vents outside
- Don’t forget to turn on the exhaust fan while showering and leave the fan running for at least 15 minutes after showering
- Use a dehumidifier in your home, especially around areas that are more humid
- Buy hygrometers (humidity sensors) and keep them around your home to monitor humidity levels
About BioClean Remediation, LLC
BioClean Remediation LLC has been serving the Gulf Coast and beyond for over 10 years. Don’t wait to find out if you have a mold problem. The earlier you catch a mold the better. Remediating mold in its early stages can be easier to treat and may be less costly than more advanced mold issues.
An air quality test and mold inspection from BioClean Remediation, LLC is the best place to start in identifying and treating a mold problem. We will conduct a thorough visual inspection and air quality test. We use the latest technology in mold detection and provide you with a comprehensive analysis of the types and levels of mold present. If mold is not present, we will provide recommendations on how to keep your home and business mold-free and healthy for everyone. Give us a call at 251-504-0747 or contact us for a mold inspection and air quality analysis.