Mold and mildew in bathrooms is a common problem that most people in Wisconsin will end up having if they aren’t taking the proper precautions to prevent it. If mold and mildew are not prevented or taken care of, it could lead to some serious health issues as well as being an eyesore. Here are plumbing tips to help you prevent mold and mildew from growing in your bathroom.
- Turn on your bathroom fan – leave it on
- Hang your loofah or towel to dry
- Use a daily shower spray – if you’re not allowing the wet space to dry completely
- Put your shower items on a rack or dish
- Replace any cracking bathroom grout
We will also go over how to clean mold and mildew as well as the health issues associated with them, and when to contact a professional to solve this problem.
Preventing Mold & Mildew In Your Bathroom
Turn on your bathroom fan
As you are showering, make sure that you have a fan running to get rid of the humidity in the air. Most people forget this step, causing their bathroom to steam up creating mold on their ceiling or in cracks and crevices. Other times, people will turn off their bathroom fan right after they are done showering. Make sure that you are leaving your fan on for 30 minutes to an hour after you’ve showered. This will help to ensure that any moisture in the air is being taken care of and not left behind. If you don’t have a fan, install one! A fan is one of the best preventative ways to get rid of mold and mildew.
Hang your loofah or towel to dry
The last thing that you want is the item that you wash or dry your body with to start growing mold or mildew. Make sure that you are hanging these items to create airflow for them to dry properly. Having hooks in your bathroom or racks to hang your towels is extremely beneficial!
Use a daily shower spray
Using a daily shower spray at the end of your shower is a great way to prevent mold and mildew! It’s easy to use, just spray your shower down around you and then exit your shower. Please make sure the spray is compatible with your wall and floor materials. This will help to keep your shower clean and smelling fresh.
Put your shower items on a rack or dish
Leaving your shower items on the ledges can create a build-up of water behind and under them. This can lead to mold growth around the item and could cause potential health issues. Make sure that your items are on a rack or in a dish to create more air movement within your shower.
Replace any cracking bathroom grout
Cracking bathroom grout can lead to mold and mildew growth within your bathroom, not just on the surface. This can cause growth in the tiles or even in your walls. Fix these issues as soon as possible!
Health Issues Caused By Mold and Mildew in Bathrooms
Mold and mildew can cause eye, skin, nose, throat, and lung irritation if not taken care of. If you have asthma or allergies, it can cause more of an issue for you, possibly causing a serious infection.
Don’t let it get to this point! Take note of our tips for preventing mold and mildew to avoid having this issue at all.
How to clean mold and mildew
Prevention is the best cure for mold and mildew! Keeping areas reasonably dry and with proper airflow will help prevent mold and mildew. One of the first signs of mildew is pink slime. If you see this the area is not being taken care of properly and needs to be cleaned. To try to avoid the pink slime keep the areas dry as much as possible and clean as needed.
If you have mold or mildew growing in your shower, you can clean it off using different homemade solutions or buying products. You can make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water to apply to hard-to-remove mold and mildew. Also, spraying vinegar onto it and scrubbing it with a rag or soft toothbrush can get rid of the small black dots of mold. You’ll need to make sure that you have a fan that works, along with following our other steps to prevent the mold and mildew from coming back. Always take safety precautions when it comes to removing mold and mildew in your home.
When should I contact a professional plumber for help with mold and mildew problems?
If you have issues with cracked grout or mold and mildew that won’t stop coming back, even with following these tips, it might be time to contact a professional plumber. If you have a large amount of mold in your bathroom, you’ll want to contact a professional plumber with experience to make sure that any health concerns are being taken care of properly and safely.
If you are uncomfortable taking care of mold or mildew in your bathroom or are looking for ways to prevent it going forward, call us! At Watters Plumbing we’re always here to help with 24/7 emergency service, bath remodeling, and bathroom conversions. Let us know how we can be of service!
