Homeowners usually have a hard time dealing with mold growths in bathroom surfaces. Mold can grow on walls, floors, and around your bathroom fixtures like sinks and toilets. Mold growth is not just a simple aesthetic problem. It produces a bad, unhealthy smell that is hazardous to your family’s health. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), exposure to mold can cause allergic reactions affecting the eyes, skin, nose, or lungs.
Before it completely gets out of hand, tackle the mold problem in your home right away with these simple yet effective tips.
1. Get To The Source Of The Problem
Unless you cut off mold at the source, it will continue to grow back after you clean it.
Leaks around toilets, sinks, and plumbing pipes are among the common reasons why mold grows in your bathroom. It is best to call a licensed and skilled plumber to look into your bathroom plumbing and fix issues that cause water to build up.
2. Don’t Let Bathroom Mold Sit For A Long Period Of Time
Bathroom mold can grow behind tiles, sinks, toilets, and bath fixtures, so make sure to check those hidden areas. In a report by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), it shows that microbial growth can begin as soon as 24 to 48 hours, depending on the conditions. That is why you should start scrubbing mold away as soon as you notice or smell it in your bathroom.
To clean mold growth in your bathroom, you will need a scrubbing brush, sponge, dry towels, and any commercial cleaner that is effective for removing visible mold. You can use bleach to get rid of the remaining mold spores. Don’t forget to wear protective equipment such as gloves and eye protectors and keep the bathroom space well ventilated by leaving windows and doors open.
3. Keep The Bathroom Space Neat & Dry
Mold loves moisture. If you want to prevent mold from growing in your bathroom, you can start by keeping the space clean and dry. After using the bathroom, make sure to leave it as dry as possible by wiping off surfaces with a towel. To add, practice drying out your shower items. Remove shampoo bottles, sponges, and loofahs in the shower when not in use and store them on shelves that dry out easily.
4. Invest In Bathroom Vents
Aside from controlling and eliminating bathroom odors, bathroom vents help remove moisture and prevent mold growth. Make sure to run your bathroom vents when taking a shower and leave it for about 30 minutes after you are done to remove water vapor in your walls and mirrors. To ensure proper ventilation in your bathroom space, don’t hesitate to ask help from a team of professionals.
5. Wash Your Bathroom Rugs & Towels Regularly
Leaving your bathroom towels, curtains, rugs, and mats unwashed for a long period of time makes them perfect breeding spots for molds. Make sure to wash these moldy bathroom materials once a week using bleach or hot water with vinegar. If you are using carpets in your bathroom, replace it with tiles or use floor mats, which are much easier to clean and dry.
6. Seal The Grout Lines
When mold stains become impossible to remove using bleach, you will need to pay for new grout replacement. To prevent this from happening, seal the grout lines to waterproof them. This will protect your bathroom tiles from early wear and tear and also reduce bathroom cleaning up to 50 percent.
Call A Pro To Solve Your Mold Problem At Home
If you are having a hard time getting rid of mold growths in your home, it is best to call the help of professionals. Mold growths can be a sign of a serious plumbing problem. Call in your trusted plumbing contractors right away to check into your plumbing system. Don’t hesitate to use the emergency services offered by many plumbing companies today to get your residential property back in order.
