How To Prevent Mould And Mildew In The Bathroom

Do you smell anything odd in your bathroom? Your shower, sink, or walls have discoloured growths. When using the toilet, are you seeing an increase in respiratory problems? Mould or mildew in the bathroom can substantially disrupt your everyday activities and provide a health risk. To keep bathrooms free of annoying mould growth, learn more about how you can prevent these fungi from taking hold in your home.

The Difference Between Mould and Mildew

Do you smell anything odd in your bathroom? Your shower, sink, or walls have discoloured growths. When using the toilet, are you seeing an increase in respiratory problems? Mould or mildew in the bathroom can substantially disrupt your everyday activities and provide a health risk. To keep bathrooms free of annoying mould growth, learn more about how you can prevent these fungi from taking hold in your home.

Signs of Mould in Bathrooms

The first step to preventing mould growth is recognizing it as it happens or identifying spots that might give you trouble. Keep an eye out for signs of unwanted additions to your bathroom ecosystem:

Visible mould or mildew. Look for growth in damp areas, such as mould on your tap head, in your shower, around your toilet, or under the sink. Dark, fuzzy spots or light-to-dark powdery patches may be mould or mildew.

Mildew smells in the bathroom. That “musty” or “damp” smell that’s filling your bathroom might be caused by mildew. If you smell something that could be compared to damp earth, rotting wood, or wet carpets, it’s time to look for sources of contamination.

Signs of water damage or leaks. Both types of fungi thrive in damp and wet environments. Take note of anywhere that’s getting particularly wet as a potential mould growth spot. Leaks can provide unseen homes for mould and mildew, but don’t forget to check your shower, tub, sink, and toilet too.

Increased respiratory issues. Mould and mildew can irritate conditions like allergies or asthma or cause general respiratory issues. If you touch or inhale spores, you might experience a sore throat, coughing or sneezing, irritation in your eyes, or wheezing. Encountering these symptoms while, or just after, using the bathroom might point to mould growth.  

How To Prevent Mould In Your Bathroom

Reduce bad smells and health hazards by taking steps to prevent mould and mildew growth. Here are some tips for keeping things clean and comfortable in your bathroom:

• Clean regularly. Clean bathrooms are the enemy of mould and mildew. Mopping up water, wiping down damp surfaces, and removing dirt all make it harder for fungi to grow.
• Dry it out. Mould and mildew need moisture to take hold. Keep your bathroom ventilated, especially during and after steamy showers. Make sure to spread towels out so they dry thoroughly and take care of spills and plumbing leaks as soon as you notice them.
• Fix leaks. Not only is this generally a good practice in any room in your home, but finding and fixing leaks also gets rid of a major source of moisture that mould and mildew would use to grow.
• Keep ventilation fans in working order. Ventilation is the key to keeping your bathroom dried out. It’s especially important in bathrooms with no windows or in cold months where you can’t open a window for extra airflow.
• Replace cracked shower grout. When grout starts cracking or crumbling, it provides the perfect opportunity for water to seep in and allow mould and mildew to thrive. If you can, replacing and re-sealing your damaged grout cuts down on mould’s opportunities to grow.
• Remove current mould and mildew. Eliminate any growth that’s currently in your home. Mildew grows on the surface of objects, so you can scrub it off yourself. Make sure to wear gloves and a face mask to protect yourself from irritants.

Mould penetrates deeper into grout, drywall, and wood, so it’s a good idea to have it removed by professionals.

Find A Reliable Emergency Plumber Near You

Keeping your bathroom free of mould and mildew will help create a cleaner, healthier home. Taking just a few steps to prevent mould growth can make a big difference when it comes to your bathroom’s trouble spots. When it comes to trouble with your plumbing, call your local emergency plumber for help. Sewer Surgeon’s experienced pros have the expertise to spot problems and fix them quickly. To learn more, give us a call at 1300 734 677 or request a job estimate online today.

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