When it comes to bathroom mold growth, the bathroom is one of the main areas where it can be found. Mold needs warmth and moisture in order to grow, which is exactly what bathroom environments offer. The following are four of the most common causes of mold growth in the bathroom and what you can do to get rid of the mold in your home.
It important to identify “why” mold is growing in your bathroom before you decide the best course of action for mold removal.
1. Poor Ventilation
When someone takes a shower, it’s usually a hot shower. It’s not uncommon for that person to close the bathroom door for privacy reasons as well. This causes all of the heat and moisture that’s produced by the shower to be trapped inside of the bathroom. If the bathroom is left in this condition, the moisture that’s collected in the shower, on the countertops, on the bathroom appliances, and even on the walls and ceiling, will remain and attract mold growth.
The best way to counteract this is to turn on the bathroom exhaust fan after you’ve taken a shower. A fan will suck all the heat and moisture out of the air. If you don’t have an exhaust fan in your bathroom, then open the bathroom window and leave the bathroom door open to allow fresh air to circulate in and for moisture to escape. When you don’t have ventilation options, you need to take care to clean and wipe down the bathroom more often as well.
2. Dampness
Poor ventilation will cause cellulose materials to become damper. For example, towels, rugs, toilet paper and the like. Even with good ventilation, towels and rugs should be regularly washed and dried because they will continue to collect moisture. This is because you’re constantly using these items to help dry off or to keep the floor from getting wet once you step out of the shower or bath. The longer they remain damp without being cleaned, the more likely they are to begin experiencing mold growth.
You should also consider picking up bathroom items that are resistant to mold. For example, instead of using a typical bathmat, use a bamboo bathmat. If you use a shower curtain, make sure it’s mold-resistant.
3. Deteriorating Grout
Make sure that the grout between your bathroom tiles remains in good condition. Generally speaking, your grout is likely going to need to be replaced once or twice a year due to its constant exposure to moisture. If you let the grout deteriorate, it becomes much easier for moisture to get trapped between your tiles where the grout was supposed to be, which will promote the growth of mold much quicker than usual.
4. Bathroom Leaks
If you notice any leaks whatsoever in the bathroom, you should address them right away. Even minor leaks are adding moisture to the bathroom’s environment and can cause standing water. This will promote faster mold growth. Leaks in the bathroom can occur around the bathtub, in the toilet, in your faucet and in the plumbing in your sink. It shouldn’t be difficult to spot a leak, just make sure you do a quick visual inspection of your bathroom when no one has used it for a while.
Check for small drip leaks and standing water that has collected on the floor. Run the water in your bathroom sink and in your bathtub or shower to see if any leaks develop.
These are four common causes of mold in the bathroom area. Fortunately, there are plenty of things that you can do in order to prevent mold growth in the bathroom. Utilize these tips to identify any mold in your home. It’s best to hire a professional mold remediation company to assess your home if you’re unsure of how mold grew in your home.
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