Preventing Mold In The Bathroom
Mold can always occur in places that have high humidity even if you clean regularly. Both the bathtub and shower create a warm and moist air that condenses on cold surfaces. This is the ideal breeding ground for fungi that grows into mold spores. If you want to prevent mold from growing in your bathroom then take the following steps.
Condensation
Simply opening bathroom window isn't sufficient enough to get rid of condensation, rather it just blows the moist air into the rest of the house. Since mold doesn't grow on dry surfaces be sure your bathroom is fitted with an extractor fan that can push the moist air outside your bathroom.
To determine if you have a condensation problem in your bathroom you can rent a dehumidifier for a few days. The dehumidifier will take the moisture out of the air and store it as water in a reservoir. If the reservoir is full after each shower then you know you have a condensation problem that needs to be taken care of.
Remove Unnecessary Items
If you have rugs in your bathroom then you shold consider removing them. When the rugs in your bathroom become wet they keep the humidity level high. Consider other alternative bathroom floor coverings instead that don't absorb water. You shold also remove any potted plants. Plants need to be watered and the soil kept moist which is an ideal breeding ground for mold, so keep all plants out of the bathroom.
Other Options
You shold make sure you check your bathroom for leaks. Even a small leak can lead to a lot of damage if it is left unchecked. Make sure your pipe work is dry, especially around the connections. Take a look around the shower and bathtub to make sure the seals are intact. If there is mold growing in the seal it usually indicates that moisture is getting behind the seal.
While ceramic tiles are popular in bathroom designs they are cold to the touch which attracts condensation. Even though tiles are waterproof it is the grout in between that can retain moisture and cause mold growth. Moisture can be sucked in by plasterboard or drywall ceiling if they come into contact with water with means mold can grow even if the surface looks dry. Try using cladding in the bathroom which is a form of waterproof paneling that is worm so condensation won't form. In addition, there is no grout since it uses a tongue and groove system for installation and no place for moisture to harbor.
