Preventing Mold in the Bathroom

A bathroom is a place where mold can run rampant. Moisture is unavoidable because of hot showers. Therefore, it's imperative to know how to prevent mold from growing in this mold-friendly environment. Long-term mold exposure can be hazardous to your health. Avoid health concerns and mold allergies by preventing mold from growing in your bathroom.

Bathroom mold is caused by moisture from hot showers, leaking sinks, or leaking toilets. The first step in preventing mold growth is to ensure that none of your bathroom plumbing is broken and leaking. These leaks can drip water under vanities and underthe flooring in the bathroom. This makes the mold hard to see and hard to remove. Check your bathroom plumbing regularly to prevent leaks and fix any issues as soon as possible.

Even without a plumbing leak, moisture is prevalent in the bathroom. A good way to avoid moisture build up is to have proper ventilation in the room. Use a fan vent while showering and running hot water in the sink to remove excess moisture from the room. Keep the fan running until the steam completely dissipates from the room.

Another important way to prevent mold growth is to ensure that your shower enclosure is properly sealed. Shower enclosures are sealed with caulk to prevent water from gathering behind the enclosure. Eventually, the seal gets old and worn and can become compromised. Mold can begin to grow behind the shower enclosure. Reseal the enclosure to prevent water from building up behind the structure.

Toxic black mold can grow on and within drywall. This is why it’s important to ventilate the bathroom when moisture and steam are present. You can also prevent moisture from seeping into the drywall by using a moisture repellent paint. Semi-gloss paint stands up to stains and is easily cleaned. It is also moisture and mildew resistant.

Bathrooms are one of the most common rooms for mold growth. There are always steps you can take to prevent mold and if there is a minor growth you can remove it yourself. If you're experiencing a mold infestation that you are uncomfortable handling you should call a mold removal professional. If you suspect mold might be growing somewhere you cannot see, you should get a mold inspection and testing. This inspection and test can measure mold levels and let you know if there are any places of water damage that caused the mold growth so you can prevent it from happening again.

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