Not only is mold growth in your bathroom unsightly, but it is also unhealthy. And in many cases, it is not confined to your shower or bathtub. It can be seen as dark specks or spots on your walls, ceiling, and floor. Homeowners must understand what is causing this mold infestation and how to prevent it in the future.
Mold’s Ideal Habitat
For mold to thrive or even survive, it needs three things. And unfortunately, almost every home offers two of the three necessities of life all the time. Our homes are often at the ideal temperature to promote mold growth between 77 and 86 degrees. And all of the building materials, finishes, and furnishings provide the food that mold needs. But what keeps most households from being overrun by mold growth is the lack of moisture or humidity. But when your bathroom stays humid and moist, you provide that third key component that lets mold take hold of the space.
Where Does The Moisture Come From?
Lack of ventilation is one of the prime reasons for mold growth in your bathroom. Take a look around when you get out of the shower. All of that condensation on the mirror is also coating the walls and every other surface in the room. And while you might like the warmth and humidity when you exit the shower, it is soaking many surfaces that will make a tasty meal for mold. The solution is increasing the airflow in the room to reduce the moisture build-up. You can open a window in warmer weather or rely on an exhaust fan to remove the extremely moist air that increases mold growth in the room.
Another source of moisture is you. When you get out of the shower or tub, it is easier to stand there and drip onto a rug or bath mat. But when you leave the room, that moisture remains on the floor to cultivate mold growth. Grab your towel and begin to dry off before stepping onto the rug to avoid adding to the space’s moisture issue.
Repair Leaks
Leaks are another source of moisture that you can control. A dripping faucet, leaking toilet, or leaking shower drain provides the mold spores with that third critical life necessity. Check under the sink, behind the toilet and around the shower or tub for signs of leaks contributing to your bathrooms moisture and mold issue.
Nothing Lasts Forever
The grout in your shower or bathtub is constantly exposed to water, soap, and shampoo. And over time, all of those materials take a toll on the grout lines’ elasticity and seal. As you notice the grout wearing, pulling away from tiles or other surfaces, or looking dirty and dingy, think about replacing the grout. On average, you can estimate about six months of reliability for grout around bathroom tile. After that point, water is making its way behind the grout and soaking into the building materials. And soon, it will be harboring mold that you cannot see or remove without a complete demolition of your bathroom.
Most of us are not comfortable living in a home that is too warm or too cold for mold growth. And the materials used to build your home will always be the ideal food for mold. But you can control the moisture in your bathroom to eliminate mold’s capability to survive. Call (701) 402-6643 if you suspect that a water leak is adding to your moisture problem. A A-1 Plumbing licensed plumber will locate and repair any leaks that could be adding to your mold issues.