Tips to Prevent Mold Growth in Your Bathroom

A stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing or wheezing, burning eyes, or skin rash are just some of the health consequences of mold and mildew. People with asthma, allergies to mold, or compromised immune systems may have more severe reactions, including lung infections. Therefore, it is worth your time to learn about mold and mildew, and how to prevent their growth in your home or business. Your friends at Neighborhood Plumbing have put together this article to give you a starter, and you are always welcomed to give us a call to consult with a skillful plumber as poor plumbing can contribute to mold growth.

About Mold and Mildew

Before we get to preventing them, let’s first learn about mold and mildew. Both are types of fungus that grow on flat surfaces and give off foul odors. Mold is often slimy or fuzzy and varies in shades of black, blue, red, and green. Mildew starts as powdery white and appears on organic materials such as wood, paper, leather, and drywall. It can turn into shades of yellow, black, and brown in later stages.
Ideal conditions for these fungi growth include high heat, high humidity, and organic material. Temperatures between 75- and 90-degrees Fahrenheit and humidity levels between 62 and 90 percent encourage their growth. Their food source is organic materials such as wood, paper, leather, textiles, and so on.

Ensure Healthy Air Circulation

Stuffy rooms are often humid rooms. Fresh air will dry out damp, musty areas and help eliminate foul odors and stuffiness. If you have an exhaust fan or ventilation system, then make sure it is working properly and is running for at least ten to fifteen minutes every day. Dehumidifiers are also great for ensuring healthy air. You do not need sophisticated tools though. Even opening a window or two for fifteen minutes a day can do wonders in fending off mold and mildew growth.

Fix Any Leaks

Mold and mildew need moisture and water to thrive and survive. Humidity is often the source for their water, but leaks are another. Make sure you are scheduling annual leak detections and urgently repairing any leaks you find. These leaks are not only allowing mold and mildew to grow. They also cause thousands of gallons of wasted water every year and can damage the structural integrity of your building.

Dry Wet Areas

Splish-splash you’re taking a bath, and we hope you are drying the floors afterward. Get in the habit of cleaning and drying surfaces in your bathroom and kitchen to deprive mold and mildew of the valuable water they seek. Also, make sure you are not leaving wet or damp clothes and towels out for too long. It can be a pain to clean textiles that are compromised by mold.

Call Neighborhood Plumbing

Are you worried about leaking pipes and appliances? Your friends at Neighborhood Plumbing can help with professional leak detections and water leak repairs. Give us a call any time to get in touch with a courteous representative. We are ready when you are.