Your bathroom is probably one of the few places in your house where you spend most of your time relaxing and taking out some time for yourself. Everybody likes to jump in the hot tub and relax at the end of a hectic week without having to worry about the outside world for a while. This means the bathroom should be clear from any unusual or threatening factors. Mold is a common issue in bathrooms that are not properly well-maintained. Moisture and humidity promote mold, and bathrooms are the best sources of it. Let’s take a look at signs of mold growth and some mold removal tips.
Signs Of Mold In Your Bathroom
Before we can discuss the methods to remove mold from your bathroom, it is important for you to be familiar with some signs that indicate mold growth. The reason is that some people tend to take it for granted, and the mold continues to grow and spread until it causes health concerns.
Visible Mold
This is the most obvious sign that there is something wrong in a particular area of your bathroom. In most cases, mold is not very evident, especially in its initial stages. Unfortunately, homeowners only come to find out about mold growth when it becomes evident, but it has matured till then.
While you may not be able to help it in terms of noticing it in its early stages, if the mold is visible in some area inside the bathroom, you will need to remove it immediately. Mold can grow in dark and humid areas inside the house, specifically the bathrooms.
The reason is that bathrooms are always full of moisture, and it provides the mold with a perfect breeding ground. In a matter of days, the mold grows and spreads, threatening anyone who uses the bathroom. The most common type of bathroom mold is black, grey, or dark brown in appearance. However, other types can be black, blue, white, or slimy-looking.
A Musty Smell
As mentioned previously, mold and mildew tend to grow in dark and damp places where it is difficult to notice and see. These places are mostly behind the walls, above the ceiling, or inside cabinets. In fact, in some cases, you may be able to smell mold and mildew even before you can see it.
This happens when the mold spores decompose and emit a smell. It’s either stale or earthly. If your bathroom is clean and dry, and you still smell a constant musty odor, it means there is mold growth or a hidden leak somewhere.
Soft Spots On Your Bathroom Floor
If your bathroom floor feels soft while walking on it, it is usually a sign that the floor is rotting due to moisture or mold growth. Then again, it could be due to a leak somewhere. The problem with soft spots on your bathroom floor is that they could be serious until they are observed.
These soft spots are hardly noticeable in the beginning, but eventually spread and ruin the entire floor. This is why you will need to consult an expert who will assess the situation and offer a solution accordingly. If there is a leak, it’s likely that there is also mold.
In such a case, the mold remediation Silver Spring expert will have to deal with the leakage as well as remove the mold. This might break your bank, but it is important considering the severity of the situation.
Wall Damage
In addition to the floor, the walls can also experience cracks or damage with time due to constant exposure to humidity and moisture. With time, the walls tend to discolor, become cracked, and develop gaps that can also become a breeding ground for mold.
If the walls tend to be extremely damaged, there might be a chance of them falling down due to the loss of their structural integrity. In such cases, you will need to contact an expert who can repair the wall and ensure it does not threaten the occupants.
If there were a flood or extreme rainfall, the water could damage the walls as well, and you won’t have much time to prevent it. As a result, you should keep an eye on anything unusual and make sure the bathroom is clean and dry at all times.
How To Remove Mold From Your Bathroom?
Now that we have discussed the tell-tale signs of mold growth in your bathroom, it is time to shift our focus towards removing it. Here are some tips:
Removing Mold With Vinegar And Baking Soda
If it’s your first time dealing with mold, you should try a mild cleaner made of vinegar and baking soda. You can also use other chemicals, but not without ruining the finish. Simply mix some water with vinegar in a spray bottle and spray it over the mold surfaces.
Leave the vinegar for a few hours until it starts to break down the mold. Then, use a clean, moist cloth to wipe off the mold. Finally, finish by rinsing the surfaces with water. If you still have some mildew after this step, mix a bit more vinegar in a small amount of water. Scrub the area using a bristled brush and rinse with water. Repeat the process if required.
If you spot mold during a bathroom remodel, discard materials you can and remove mold from the items that can be saved.
Try Hydrogen Peroxide
If the mold problem is persistent after using the vinegar and baking soda method, you should use hydrogen peroxide and scrub it on the mold surfaces. But you should know that hydrogen peroxide is dangerous and can have toxic effects. Make sure to wear gloves and other protective equipment if necessary to cover the exposed body parts.
Additionally, rinse the surfaces thoroughly with water after using hydrogen peroxide to ensure there are no remnants.
Use Bleach For The Toughest Mold Stains
If the hydrogen peroxide method is not a success either, you should try a 75% water and 25% bleach mixture. Keep in mind not to mix the cleaning products. If you have already used hydrogen peroxide to clean the mold surfaces, make sure to rinse the surfaces properly first and then use bleach.
Then again, do not forget to wear rubber gloves and eye protection to avoid direct contact.
Call A Professional
If nothing else works or mold continues to return, you will need to hire a professional to take care of the problem. While small amounts of mold and mildew are relatively easy to clean, visible and stubborn mold can be difficult to take care of. It is not something you can be comfortable with.
A professional will thoroughly inspect and determine the root cause of the mold. Although the services can be expensive, they help eradicate the problem from the main source.
Conclusion
For future references, you should make sure to keep your bathroom clean and dry and look out for any unusual signs & symptoms. Problems such as leakages, cracks, or damage should be immediately fixed with the help of an expert. And if there is mold or water damage, you should not risk it and call in a water damage restoration Bethesda service.
