Mold can grow anywhere in a home or business, but one of the most common places to see it is in the bathroom. Bathroom mold is more common due to the higher humidity levels you’ll find there, and the fact that the area doesn’t always get the chance to dry out properly. If a lot of people use the bathroom or if there’s no vent fan running when a person is using the shower – and for a little while afterward – it’s much more likely that dampness will accumulate and can cause water damage to your home.
Suspect a leak?
It really doesn’t take much for mold to start growing. If you see it, especially if it’s black mold, you’ll want to do two things: remove it, and prevent it from coming back. To get rid of the problem, you need to get rid of the source of the moisture. Check carefully for leaks, and for places where moisture and wetness collect. Along the edges of sinks, tubs, and showers are important places to check. You’ll also want to make sure that the pipes under the sink or for the shower or tub aren’t leaking.
If you notice a leak, have it fixed right away. If you don’t have a vent fan in your bathroom – especially one near the shower area – it can be worthwhile to have one installed. If it’s used when the shower is running it’ll take a lot of the moisture out of the bathroom. Just leave it on until you get ready to leave the room, and you should help avoid any mold problems that way. Those kinds of things will help prevent mold from coming back, but they won’t get rid of the issue that you already have. If it’s black mold, it can easily make you sick. Getting rid of it is important.
“What if I only have a small area that needs remediation?”
You can clean small areas of mold with a soap and water solution and a sponge. Make sure to clean the area thoroughly and get all the infestation. It doesn’t take much for mold to return, and even a few spores can start it growing again. If the area isn’t wet when you start to clean it, the spores can get into the air and spread throughout the house. Make sure to dampen the area if the mold is dry. You can also use bleach when cleaning, but you’ll need to be very careful what surfaces you use it on. Bleach can damage a lot of different things.
After you’ve cleaned the black mold, rinse the area thoroughly and make sure it dries completely. You can use a fan or a hair dryer to give yourself some peace of mind. That way, you won’t be risking more mold because you got the area wetter than it was before. Black mold grows quickly, so keep an eye on the area you cleaned for a few days and see if you notice the mold coming back. If you do, it might be time to call in a professional.
5 comments